Mark Ozboyd is obsessed with waterfalls. On a dark, new moon night in late August of 2023, the intrepid 23-year-old and a friend hiked and scrambled nearly two miles into a national forest in north Georgia to photograph a waterfall. They arrived at dusk and got the shot they were seeking about midnight: an image of David’s Waterfall in Habersham County with the Milky Way galaxy aligned perfectly above the illuminated falls.
The photograph is iconic, but obviously not just a lucky find. An amazingly talented and persistent young man, Mark had long searched for a large waterfall where, under perfect conditions, the Milky Way would line up above it in the open sky. The waterfall would need to face the northeast sky—so he could face the southwest sky with his camera—and have minimal tree canopy surrounding it. Not an easy find in north Georgia’s densely forested landscape. With the help of remote sensing (LiDAR) and other tools, he identified David’s Falls in the Chattahoochee National Forest: a 30’ high falls that “leaps over a wide cliff in a single tier and lands into the ultimate secret swimming hole,” as Mark writes in his impressive, new book—Waterfalls of Georgia.
To illuminate the scene, Mark set up two fixed light sources, one at the falls and another beside the pool to reveal the rocks and trees. He waded through the pool in waist-deep water multiple times to adjust the lights, encountering a banded water snake that appeared to be doing some night fishing. David’s Falls is just one of more than 700 waterfalls described in his book, which is the most comprehensive guide ever written about our state’s cascades. It’s also one of the best guidebooks I’ve ever reviewed.
A Childhood in Nature
Mark was born in Atlanta, after his parents immigrated here from the Soviet Union in 1991, just a few months before it dissolved, making him a first-generation American. By the age of ten, he had become a hiker, primarily with his father, who was also new to the sport. Their goal was to hike in every state park in Georgia, followed by national forests and parks. Homeschooled, with time for outdoor learning adventures, Mark and his dad covered a lot of ground. He also pursued his interest in photography. At 12, he started a blog about hiking in the Appalachians, which connected him to many experienced hikers and photographers.
When Mark returned home from Washington & Lee University in 2020 during the Covid pandemic, he found time to hike with his dad at least twice a week, while continuing online classes in environmental science, geology/hydrogeology, and neuroscience. When a 12-mile hike on a trail with no signage turned into a grueling 26-mile slog, he decided to write a “small book” about lesser-known trails.
Inspired by Kevin Adams, author and founder of Waterfall Keepers of North Carolina (waterfallkeepersofnc.org), Mark‘s concept for his book changed. He decided to emphasize waterfalls “because they’re so appealing.” In July 2024, he self-published a 480-page book. Its cover, book design, cartography, and beautiful interior photos were all created by Mark, who learned very well many new skills along the way to create this treasure.
In addition to detailed descriptions of each waterfall, the book explains how Mark defines, measures, and photographs them; it also provides safe hiking tips including not trespassing on private property, environmental concerns, the naming of waterfalls, and a section about falling water and music. Using LiDAR, Google Earth, and other tools, Mark found a dozen undocumented waterfalls and named a significant one in Rabun County for his mother; it’s now known as Angelica Falls. He says it’s a way of thanking his mother for instilling in him a love of nature.
For Atlantans who’d like to visit sites closer to home, there’s a chapter highlighting eight “true waterfalls” in the metro region, along with smaller ones. With more rainwater flowing into rivers and streams in the winter and spring, now is a great time to go waterfalling. You can purchase Mark’s book at gawaterfalls.com and plan your next hike! You’ll also find him and his photos on social media platforms.
Water is Magical
Water isn’t just a liquid that sustains all life—as if that weren’t enough—the molecules of oxygen and hydrogen also inspire, energize, and soothe. There’s a scientific reason we love flowing, plunging, spraying water, why being around moving water can improve our moods. It’s called negative ions. Molecules that have gained or lost an electrical charge are created in nature when air molecules break apart, influenced by moving water or sunlight.
The action of falling water and crashing waves, or even a bathroom shower, creates negative ions that bond with smaller air particles. When we breathe in this charged air, the negative ions enter our bloodstream. They produce biochemical reactions that can relieve stress, boost energy, reduce depression by affecting serotonin levels, and enhance alertness. I dare you to stand beside a waterfall and not feel its energy flowing through your body and refreshing your brain.
Talking to Mark about waterfalls is almost as inspiring as visiting one. His passion for Georgia’s abundant cascades is boundless and contagious. Looking to the future, he hopes that more attention to waterfalls will help revitalize small towns with ecotourism. Realizing that waterfalls need protectors, he also hopes to find a way to create a Waterfall Keepers of Georgia organization to promote and work to safeguard them through education and advocacy.