Yosemite and More

I went to Yosemite a while back with the intent of photographing a moonrise and wildflowers. Well the clouds didn't cooperate nor did the wildflowers,  but the day was far from a loss.  It is Yosemite you know. And yes there is a lot of water in Yosemite and the Merced River.  It's been a while since I photographed Fern Springs Mother nature has a way of recovering.  Here is a new cedar against a downed and burned log. The Firs and Pine don't want to be left out.   Bridal Veil Creek was flowing very nicely. As were Upper, Middle and Lower Yosemite Falls. This seasonal waterfall along with many others will be gone is a few weeks I've take quite a few photos from Tunnel View. I took a ride up Highway 41 and had decided to bypass it on the way back until I saw this. I was lucky 20 minutes later the Rainbow was gone. Go, See, Enjoy, Stay Safe and Photograph. Dave

The weather report said it was supposed to snow in Yosemite on  Christmas Eve, but I didn't access the web to see if it was true.  Christmas Day I decided to head on up. Good choice. Except for finding a parking spot it was a wonderfully cold day. I was especially grateful that the snow was  sticking to the trees. Of course most of the day it was below freezing. The water was flowing in Bridalveil Fall but it was cold enough to freeze the mist. There was only one other set of footprints leading to where I took this shot. The Merced River was flowing pretty good but it was calm enough in some areas for great reflections. If you want to see water flowing just wait a few days until it  warm all this snow. The first time you look at this can be a little disconcerting, it was for me and I took the photo. Any way you looked there was something beautiful. I of course...

If you go up Wawona Road, aka Highway 41, past Tunnel View you'll come upon a long area of roadside parking. I think it is actually a chain control area.  At the far end of the parking area you can go over the wall, with some help from some  conveniently placed rocks, and walk on a large granite area. From there you get a different view of some iconic features. This is called the Cascades. This last summer it was dry. This is the only place I know from which you can actually see them. You also get a different and higher view of El Capitan and Half Dome There are few trees up here and while short they do have character. Once again a different and higher view from the usual Tunnel View. Did I mention it was a wee bit cold. Stay tuned, I took an unplanned and last minute trip to the Merced Wildlife Refuge. Oh boy..... Go, See, Enjoy. Dave