Yosemite and More

Finally got around to editing some of my wildflower photos from the last couple of weeks. Well, Okay almond blossoms aren't actually wild, but they could be..........right? Most of these were taken along  a frontage road next to Highway 99 just north of my home in Chowchilla,  CA I had intended to use some close-up lenses but there  was a bit of a breeze and had trouble getting the  fine focus needed. Now is the time for wildflowers, even if you can't get to Death Valley where there is supposed to be  an unusual number of flowers blooming. Go, See, Enjoy! Dave

When you go to the Merced Wildlife Refuge you're usually looking for large flocks of geese, ducks and Sandhill Cranes. Here's a flock of Ross Geese (black wing tips) heading from a field where they were feeding to the the water area of the Refuge. You'll note they seem to be a little yellow/orange, that's due to the reflection of the setting sun just behind me. Being focused on that we can miss other things. Here's a White Crowned Sparrow, they're all over the place so we really don't notice them, but they have a beauty all their own. Here's one I called butterball because I couldn't find it in my bird book. If you know what it is please leave a comment. Go, See, Enjoy Dave

Yeah, I went there again. Posted something similar last time but this one is much better. Will post some more over the next couple of  days. I really mean it, you need to ... Go, See, Enjoy! Dave

Here's three more photos from my recent trip to the Merced Wildlife Refuge. While this first one is noy great photography I thought it was kind of  a cool image.   Yup, that's the moon. Last time I went to the Refuge there were very few birds, Not so this time. As the sun set the sky was filled with wave after wave of birds coming in to roost. As you can see the sky was wonderful, only to get better. Go, See, Enjoy. Dave

A friend and I took a trip to the Merced Wildlife Refuge.  The first time around, I took some photos of some of the birds.  This is a Killdeer, unfortunately I couldn't choose the background and I'm not very efficient (or care to) at changing background. We were fortunate enough to see a gaggle of Ross Geese taking flight  from a berm. I was afraid we might not be in a good position to catch the  sunset. This is just as the sun went down. It got better as time passed.  More to come................. Go, See, Enjoy. Dave

I took a spontaneous trip to the  Merced Wildlife Refuge last Sunday evening. It was a great decision. I really had trouble deciding what to post here. There were so  many photo opportunities. Outside of the Refuge proper, on the other side of Sandy Mush Road is  a field. I've seen Ross Geese there before but not in this number. The image is only a small portion of the geese that were feeding. As soon as I stopped they started to walk away in a semi-circular pattern with me as the base. The sky was continually changing this is one looking west, just after I got there. This one is looking east within minutes, maybe seconds of the  previous one. I've seen flocks of Ross Geese, Canadian Geese, Sandhill Cranes and ducks. I've never seen swams of Redwing Blackbirds like I saw that night.  The whole western sky was filled with them for quite a while. A real treat. The next two images were taken about...

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

Last weekend I took a trip to Yosemite, this time staying pretty much out of the Valley and photographing along Highway 41. Didn't even stop  at Tunnel View, more on that probably tomorrow. I stayed at the Cedar Lodge Motel just outside the park. When I woke up (mis-set my alarm) there was a very heavy fog outside. I figured Yosemite Valley would be socked in. Nope. It was clear as a bell just above where the lodge was. From Highway 41 you can see the fog covering the Merced River Valley. It had snowed the previous night but only in the high country, leaving just a dusting of the white stuff. I hope to post a few more tomorrow or early next week. Go, See, Enjoy! Dave

When you go into Yosemite, either the Valley or  High Country you can look in almost any direction and feel in awe. Since my last trip was to the Valley, here are a few images. The first is of course of the iconic Half Dome, in reflection on the Merced River. As I said any direction is beautiful And last but certainly not least.... Go, See, Enjoy. Dave PS I have reservations for next weekend and so far it looks like it might snow Saturday morning. Woooooo  Hoooooo!

It's been a while since I posted last.  Several factors involved but I won't bore you. Hope I can be more consistent from now on. Here are three from my last visit to Yosemite. It was very cold, the roads were ice in the morning and I had a great,  wonderful and stupendous time.  Need to slow down a little next time. I've always wanted to do a shot of fog in the Valley from the  Tunnel View.  Once back in the Valley I took a little hike, this is near the  'Swinging Bridge', which of course doesn't swing anymore. There were a lot of snowmen in the park, If you look closely you can see a small one in the lower left corner. Last one for today, Yosemite Falls in Reflection on the Merced River. Have more to edit, so maybe over the weekend. Go, See, Enjoy! Dave