Draped in Stars

As a child, Dangar Falls left an indelible impression on me during a brief family visit while on a long drive to a nearby town. It was just a short rest stop between country towns, but I cherished that rare family excursion.
 
I stood at the top of the lookout, mesmerized by the water plunging into the pool below. Not long after, we moved hundreds of kilometers away, and 19 years would pass before I returned.
 
Upon revisiting the falls, I experienced the same sense of wonder, even though only a trickle of water flowed. I immediately knew I wanted to come back when the falls were at their fullest to photograph them under the Milky Way.
 
Another four years went by, and after years of drought, heavy rainfall finally arrived. A clear night was forecast, and I made the journey back to my favorite childhood waterfall to fulfill the vision I had conceived years ago.
 
To achieve a well-balanced composition that was pleasing to the eye, I ventured into the water, despite the frigid temperature. It was a small sacrifice for the perfect shot, bringing my childhood memories to life.