February Sunset at Pedernales Falls

Pedernales River

Pedernales Falls is close to home, so I frequent this area whenever I can. I’ve wanted to photograph one particular cascade for a while now. For the perspective I desired, I had to cross the river’s path, but either the river has been too high - not safe to cross – or too low, and the trickle over the limestone rocks would have barely shown up in a long exposure.

Finally, on the last day of February last week, I headed out for what looked to be a promising sunset. At the namesake of Pedernales Falls State Park resides a series of pools where water collects, then spills over and gently flows downstream to another pool. In between these pools when the water is not a rushing torrent, barely submerged rock makes it possible to navigate from one side of the river to the other provided your shoes have good grips on the bottom. So on this night when I arrived, the water was just about perfect, and I was able to cross between the emerald green pools to reach the small waterfall, if you can even call it that, and find the proper perspective.

The sun was setting pretty early behind the ridge to the west, so I quickly went to work, setting up the tripod and finding the best focal settings.

Sunburst over the Pedernales 228-1

Sunset at Pedernales Falls was beautiful on this evening. Cold, clear water rushed over the limestone rocks, the rays of the last light of day spread over the river basin, and patchwork clouds begin to drift in from the west on a perfect February evening.

After I photographed the precise moment the sun fell behind the ridge, I still had a 45-minute wait until the official sunset and the window when the sky may or may not turn colors.

So I waited, enjoyed the sound of the gurgling water as the river flowed down and through the rocks, and appreciated a few minutes of peace. Meanwhile, the clouds overhead were starting to put on a show. I walked up to the nearest pool and spent a few minutes photographing the reflection of the patchwork of clouds and their reflection in the clear water. I was pleased with the way this turned out.

Pedernales Pool Reflection 228-1

A stunning sunset sky is reflected in a calm pool along the Pedernales River. I loved how the blue and aqua colors blended together in this tranquil oasis as the sky transitioned from day to evening.

A little later, I was beginning to have my doubts about the sky turning pink and red. A cloud bank appeared to hang on the horizon in the northwest, but I was not able to see where the sun was setting because it was already behind a ridge. Just about the time I was considering moving to get set up for nighttime photography, a pinkish tint began to appear in those distant clouds, and within about five minutes, the sky was starting to glow in pastel pink and red hues. The cascade, the rocks, and the sky made for a beautiful sight.

Sunset on the River 228-1

Cascades along the Pedernales River make for great foreground material, especially when the sunset turns everything pink and orange. When the sky glows in these colors, the limestone and water below seem to take on an orange hue, as well. It was a beautiful, cold, February evening in the Texas Hill Country.

More photographs came out of this evening, so feel free to see more in my Pedernales gallery.

If you have the chance to explore this area, I hope you enjoy your time as much as I enjoy being out there.

Heart of the Pedernales 228-1

While exploring one of my favorite areas in the Hill Country one evening, I came across this perfect rock pool along the Pedernales River. Hiding in plain sight beneath a wonderful February sky, even the cloud's reflection showed up in the still, clear water..

Safe travels, Texas.

~ Rob

Images from Texas

A stunning sunset sky is reflected in a calm pool along the Pedernales River. I loved how the blue and aqua colors blended together...
Pedernales Pool Reflection 228-1

A stunning sunset sky is reflected in a calm pool along the Pedernales River. I loved how the blue and aqua colors blended together in this tranquil oasis as the sky transitioned from day to evening.