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Photographer’s Note

THE EDGE...

Niagara Falls in eastern North America lies on the border between the United States and Canada, and actually comprises three separate falls: the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the massive Canadian or "Horseshoe Falls." Each minute 5720 cubic-meters of water pour over the edge — a figure that represents only a quarter of the actual flow rate of the Niagara River, with three quarters of it diverted to drive hydroelectric generators. In the United Stare there are much higher waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls, but none has the flow rate of the Niagara. Also in contrast to the Niagara, the much larger Victoria Falls in Africa features fifteen separate falls, with a peak of 425,000 cubic-meters of water dropping over the crest line each minute. Nonetheless, the storied Niagara is still the most famous of the lot.

I took the photograph in 1987, on one of my visits to Buffalo, New York, just 25 km from Niagara Falls. I was near the edge of the American Falls that resembles a crescent about 320 meters wide, with the water seeming to pour into a bottomless pit. (The land in the foreground and that in background comprise the crescent of the American Falls. In the distance beyond the crescent, another 2-3 km away, is the much larger crescent formed by Horse Shoe Falls.) The contrast of the dark cliff wall in the foreground, against the curtain of water pouring over the edge and creating a mist of spray in the background, made it a frightening image. I was standing in a safe observation area, but I do remember well the lens cap from my 70-210 Nikkor lens flying off the camera and becoming part of the falls — a relic for archaeologists a few million years from now.

Nikon F, Kodarchome 64, scanned for posting on TE.

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Additional Photos by Bulent Atalay (batalay) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4514 W: 295 N: 6737] (20690)
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