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| Long-Tailed Ducks cruising the Niagara |
Did you know that all along the Niagara River, all sorts of wildlife can be seen? Osprey make their home along the river, along with hawks and even Bald Eagles. Even at the Falls, if you are patient and are there at the right time, you can spot Black-crowned Night Herons flying over the Falls just before sunset, along with Double-Crested Cormorants all day long, along with the every-present gulls. Other smaller birds can be seen too depending on the season: Northern Cardinals are busy almost all year round, while others like the Buffleheads and Common Goldeneye are more visible during the colder months.
If you want to see the Falls in its uniqueness, then be sure to plan your visit in Winter. Dress warmly and step carefully. Also be prepared for many viewing areas to be closed, but in Winter you'll see the Falls as few do in summer!
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| Snow-covered Prospect Point Observation Point in Winter |
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| Looking north from Goat Island/Three Sisters Islands |
I must confess I've been lousy at photographing fireworks during most of my life behind the camera. Sure, I've posted the typical snaps of fireworks exploding in the dark night like everyone else, but the majority of those had been captured without a tripod. I couldn't record a decent scene using a tripod at night for almost anything, including fireworks! Really!!
In those early years, I would shoot any fireworks handheld, but at a higher ISO. With patience and a little help from my kid brother Ed, I began using a tripod enough to get better images during the darker hours, and to finally use that tripod to finally get some "decent" results.
Really!
The problem with fireworks photography, is that the events are not so often as to have a simple way to get some practical experience that one will remember a months later! Well, in this area of WNY, in the summer and even a month or so in winter, fireworks are a very integral part of the Niagara Falls area! So, in the few years I've been here, we have been very lucky to attend a few of the many nightly fireworks at the Falls. Along with that attendance, my experience in capturing fireworks have improved greatly, and the images are better with each passing year!
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| The Prospect Point Observation Tower backlit by fireworks |
Whatever your reason for coming to WNY, you do need to see the Falls with fireworks blasting the sky above! Seeing Fireworks over the Falls, is really something to be seen and experienced! You'll also get a chance to see something else other than the daylight version of the Falls. It's Nature at its mightiest, and do you really want to see the Falls just as millions of others have seen it?
See it during the day and at night. Go early as crowds gather, some for hours, holding what they hope will be a good spot.
In recent years, they have been shooting off a single rocket 15 to 10 minutes before the hour, as a test for wind direction and strength. The only sure method of knowing IF the fireworks will go off as scheduled, is to ask park personnel or by calling toll-free 1(800)563-2557 for a prerecorded message, or even checking online on their social media accounts of niagarafallstourism.com.
Share your great pictures with friends, family or your pet while at the Falls, by tagging Niagara Falls Tourism when posting those special moments with your world!
https://www.facebook.com/NiagaraFallsTourismCanada
https://twitter.com/NFallsTourism
https://www.instagram.com/niagarafallstourismcanada
https://www.youtube.com/user/NiagaraFallsTourism
On the American-side, you'll want to share your pictures and moments with these social media sites!
https://www.facebook.com/NiagaraFallsStateParkUSA
https://www.instagram.com/niagarafalls_statepark
So now you are probably wondering where the fireworks will launch from, and if I will share that information if I know at all?
Of course I do and will!
From Prospect Point on the American-side, look almost directly across the Niagara gorge to the Canadian-side and look to the pier and buildings where the Canadian tour boats dock. To the left of that, you'll see a tiny cove, and to the left of that cove, you will see a tiny point of land. You can expect to see the launch from approximately that area. If you are at Prospect Point, the bursts will be near or in front of the Skylon Tower. On the Canadian-side, an area of about three city blocks of the walkway close to that launch site will be cleared for obvious safety reasons. Niagara Park security will clear the area about an hour beforehand. Keep this in mind IF you decide to see the fireworks on the other side!
Cannot attend but still want to SEE the fireworks? Tune in online at https://www.marriottonthefalls.com/niagara-falls-cam and be sure to have your clock set to NY state East Coast time. Don't forget the time is one hour earlier in summer for Daylight Saving Time (DST). It is NOT a live webcam but you should see most of the bright bursts and smoke.
If you plan to cross the bridge to Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada, do NOT forget to carry your passports with you! Also, you'll need four quarters per person for the customs building turnstile to return to the American-side! Really!
Here's one last snap of the fireworks at the Falls, and hoping you will have an enjoyable time at the Falls! Hoping to see you there! Remember all pictures can be clicked to see them in a larger size!
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| Fireworks as seen from the Prospect Point Observation Tower |
