Yosemite and More

 I took a trip to Yosemite a couple of days ago just after the storm cleared. It was a magical day, fresh powder, snow on the trees, few people and great reflections. The road was packed snow and ice when I first got there, it eased up a little when the sun warmed non-shaded areas. This Pine Tree took the weight of the snow pretty well. Kinda looks like a hunched snow monster.   Tunnel View in the Winter never gets old. And there weren't many people. And of course El Capitan, reflected in the Merced River Then came the Three Brothers Just about anywhere you looked was great. These frosted pine needles caught my eye. The oaks formed a canopy over part of the road.  This oak leaf has a winter coat on. As did this railing The Swinging Bridge that doesn't swing The clouds played with El Capitan all day. Iconic Half Dome from Paparazzi Bridge Line of snow covered trees along the Merced River You can guess from these trees which way the wind was blowing. Go, See, Enjoy, Stay Sa...

 The fog in the valley was really getting to me so I decided to take trip to Yosemite.  On the way up I took these. They're doing work on the electrical lines to Yosemite. Because of the rough terrain helicopters are needed. That thing below, and hanging  from the helicopter is a guy in a harness, just sitting there swinging  with the breeze. Remember this is taken with a telephoto lens and then cropped. He was way up there. Just when I was entering the Valley I stopped to do some photography and a gentlemen informed me there was a bear near-by. Black bears can be anything from cinnamon colored to completely black.  This is a small one eating oak acorns. I was wondering if any of the fall colors would still be showing. I needn't have worried, Yosemite is always beautiful but fall colors are special. I asked this gentleman if I could photograph him painting  near where I had just photographed. He has a lot  more patience than I do. As I said the fall co...

Last week I went to Yosmite the day after a good snowfall. It was truly a winter wonderland. It was inspiring just standing there and taking in all the beauty, and of course I took a few photos. Looking up to the ridges and high country was especially beautiful. And to be honest I was happy to be where the temp was around 30°. Being in a valley you are of course surrounded by high country ridges and  wonderful views. Friedhem suggested we hike to the bottom of Yosemite Falls, I was honestly skeptical. But the short hike was very doable and I was able to get this view of Half Dome along  with several of both upper and lower Yosemite Falls. A new experience. should have  brought my tripod. This isn't to say the views on the Valley floor weren't just as spectacular. Go, See, Enjoy and Photograph. Dave

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

I decided to get away last weekend. On my trek I visited Olmstead Point  in Yosemite's high Sierra. You get a beautiful view of the back side of Half Dome. You also can see Tenya Lake among the wonderful Sierra Nevada range but you have to look a little harder. Easier to spot were these Prickley Poppies blooming along side Highway 395  They are very similar to the Matilja Poppies I posted earlier.  Prickley Poppies are about 12-18 inches high. The Matilja stand 5-7 feet high. Go, See, Enjoy Dave

I went to Glacier Point last weekend hoping to catch the moon rising over Half Dome. Wrong..... The moon did rise while I was there but far to the right of Half Dome. A better angle would have been from the valley floor.  I tried photo shopping the moon in but it looked like someone photo shopped the moon in. Go, See, Enjoy Dave