Yosemite and More

 Yosemite has gotten a lot of snow recently and they closed it for a couple of days. I left (not early enough) and headed to Yosemite on Saturday morning. When I got there a little before 9am the park was  already very, very busy.  While I took a lot of photos I decided this post would concentrate on some of the smaller things and stay away from landscapes and iconic images. By the way I had to leave early for a commitment, on the way out at about 1 pm the entrance line on Highway 140 was 2 miles long and getting longer. Go, See, Enjoy, Stay Safe and Photograph' Dave

 Some of the MANY photos I took in early January. Any day in Yosemite is pretty good, but having snow on the ground adds a different level. Hoarfrost has always intrigued me so there are several of that and none of the iconic features of Yosemite. You can look back on previous posts for those. You'll notice (or not) on some I separated hoarfrost, it's one word. I almost didn't post this one, I tried sky replacement and not thrilled with the  results, but I like the rest of the image. This is probably my favorite image of the day. Go, See, Enjoy, Stay Safe and Photograph. Dave

Last week I took a quick trip to Yosemite and then decided to go on over Tioga Pass to Mono Lake. It turned out to be a very interesting day weather wise, from warm and sunny,  to puffy clouds, then rain and a slushy drive on the way home. Mostly I'll share some of the animals I saw in Yosemite, mostly. This female Mallard swam very close, hoping I'm sure for a quick meal. There were a lot of Acorn Woodpeckers, this one kept coming to the same branch, but would fly away if I got too close. I seemed to spend quite a bit of time chasing very elusive butterflies Then on to Mono Lake and some puffy clouds As with most outings sometime you just need to look behind you. It's hard to see the Alkali Flies, they're usually just a mass of black. For California Gulls the Alkali Flies are a major food source. Foreboding of things to come. It started to sprinkle just as I left Mono Lake. On the way up from Mono Basin I saw what was ahead of me. There wasn't  actual snow on the r...

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

 Went to Yosemite the other day. Really wasn't expecting much in the way of fall colors but was pleasantly surprised. I decided not to concentrate on the iconic features such as Half Dome and El Capitan, with one exception as you will see. I was surprised to see these wild grapes along the side of the road, even more surprised the deer hadn't eaten them. In Yosemite everywhere you look is pretty magnificent. Trouble is sometimes we only focus on the iconic scenes. Sometimes you look up. Sometimes you look down. This butterfly was very cooperative, or maybe just tired. Sometimes you see it climbing up a hill. Sometimes it's next to the road  but you have to walk a little to get back to it. I just thought this was kinda different. Very Old School This bush was just starting to turn. I took a trail I've never been on before, turns out it was the old Highway 41 before they build the tunnel. Photo looks kinda level, it isn't, after about a mile and half you end up near w...