A Cataract Trail waterfall
Many of the wildflowers I saw in last week’s post were seen on a brisk hike through the ravine along the Cataract Trail on the west side Mt Tamalpais. It was a brisk because I had to walk down from a trail head near the top in time to arrive at the cascades before the sun reached them. A longer walk than I expected.
I found this cascade moments before the sun came through the ravine and made photography difficult:
For me, waterfall images are as much about the stones that surround them as the water itself. I don’t know what they are, basalt perhaps, wet and shiny with reflected light.
I was warned that there had been a drought and there might not be much of a flow, but different streams flowing into the ravine made the hike to this waterfall worthwhile.
Nature Diary 
I agree with you that the surrounding stones are as important as the water itself.
Something I’ve learned to appreciate as I photograph more of them.
Especially on the left, the rock reminded me of basalt. I brought a baked potato-sized basalt rock home from Colorado when I was a kid, and always enjoyed dipping it in water to see it glisten. I do enjoy these smaller waterfalls; there’s a delicacy that contrasts well with the solidity of the rock.
Yes the irregular breaks in the rock on the left as basalt-like. The glistening at the moment was nice, moments later, the brightness was too much. I like smaller waterfalls best, there’s more shape to the water than a tall waterfall with a straight drop.
The power of nature make us happy !
Yes, that’s it – this is the moment I do this for.
I agree about the rocks. They can really add a lot of character and depth to a photo. And it can be really interesting arriving at these sorts of locations with different water levels just to see how different the scene looks. Of course, with too much drought and no water it wouldn’t quite be the same, but thankfully you found something worth the trip.
Waterfalls change every time you visit them, with the seasons and the changing flow. It was nice to see this cascade, one I haven’t seen in a while. In hindsight, I wish I’d spent more time with wildflowers – I might have found an orchid or two as well.