Category: Yosemite

An Early Spring Day in Yosemite

by Earthwatcher, posted in art, art for sale, Earthwatcher, landscape, landscape images, landscape photos, Photography, Rainbow, river, waterfall, Yosemite

We are fortunate this year that El Niño gave us a respite from the drought; a good snow pack in the Sierra!  I moved to northern California 4 ½ years ago.  My wife told me many times that the ephemeral waterfalls, those that dry up and go away quickly, make Yosemite especially beautiful in early spring. But years of drought gave us little snow, leaving those falls dormant or very short lived. I never had a chance to experience them.

Last weekend, we took an overnight visit to Yosemite.  My wife was right, everywhere I looked there was a waterfall that I had never seen before.  Even Horsetail falls, the one that lights up like fire at sunset in February, was still running.  The Merced River was running strongly.  We hiked along the Merced River on the trail to the bridge at Vernal Falls.

Roiling & Thundering

At the juncture of Illouette Creek and the Merced River, the waters roiled over the cascades making whitewater that looked like a giant head of cauliflower and sounded like thunder.  It was amazing.

 

 

 

For me, the real treat was Yosemite Falls.

Base of Lower Yosemite Falls

Base of Lower Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, APR 2016

It, too, thundered from the water crashing over the cliff.  Yosemite Creek was rushing harder and was fuller than I have ever seen it.

Rivulet on Yosemite Creek

This little cascade is normally dry. But the snow melt left Yellowstone Creek running high, fast and loud creating a channel bringing this cascade alive. Yosemite National Park, APR 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But the real treat was a brilliant rainbow in the mist at the base of the lower falls.

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The sun cast a brilliant rainbow in the mist at the base of the Lower Yellowstone Falls. Though other colors could be seen, the sun highlighted the red-orange spectrum casting a golden glow over the rugged landscape. Yosemite National Park, APR 2016

Though other colors could be seen, the sun highlighted the red-orange spectrum casting a golden glow over parts of the landscape.

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Yosemite Falls thundered strongly from the early spring runoff creating a cool breezy mist. The sun played upon the mist, painting a brilliant rainbow that cast the landscape in a golden glow. Yosemite National Park, APR 2016

 

Yet, as I traveled through Yosemite, another thought struck me.  As humans, ephemeral describes things that come and go quickly; in the span of short periods within our lifetime.  But, solid rock in places like Yosemite last for time frames impossible for humans to comprehend but do eventually wash away.  To the earth is really ephemeral?

A Deceiving Role
A contrast, the juxtaposition of the ephemeral with the lasting. But, which is really ephemeral? That which appears lasting is eroded, one grain at a time, by that which appears ephemeral, until it is eventually washed away. Meanwhile, that which appears epemeral rushes to sea, evaporates and returns to erode again. Yosemite National Park, APR 2016

 

Regards,

Larry

These and other images are available for purchase at my website, http://www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting me at larry@earthwatcher.us.

Golden Hued Yosemite

by Earthwatcher, posted in art for sale, landscape, landscape images, landscape photos, Photography, photography for sale, Yosemite
Warm Light Breaking Through Storm Clouds, Trail to Inspiration Point, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2015
Warm Light Breaking Through Storm Clouds, Trail to Inspiration Point, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2015

This past week, it rained and snowed in the Sierra.  Not nearly enough to have any real impact on our drought.  But, as evening comes and the storm breaks up, golden sunlight streams through the breaks in the clouds, dappling the mountainsides with gold hued color.  I took advantage of the weather conditions this week and visited Yosemite for a quick overnight trip.  My goal was to do some exploring and to study how light can add depth to an image.  I did some research and learned that sun would be setting in a line that would illuminate half dome, clouds rest and the canyons below.  A perfect setting for what I wanted to do.  To satisfy the explorer in my blood, I went off the beaten path to get different perspectives with Half Dome as my anchor.

Early Evening Light Breaking Through Rain Clouds Over Yosemite Valley. Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2015
Early Evening Light Breaking Through Rain Clouds Over Yosemite Valley. Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2015

I hiked the trail toward Inspiration Point looking for a different perspective from the traditional view of Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View. The trail is 2.6 miles, round trip, with a 1,000 foot elevation gain.  Aside from being steep, it is full of rocks, many of which are loose, and many tree roots.  It’s not for the casual walker.  But, for those that are willing to endure, the view of the valley, especially Bridalveil Falls, is spectacular.

I also hiked a small section of the Panorama Trail; the portion from Glacier Point to the top of Illilouette Falls and back.  This piece is 4 miles round trip with a 1,470 foot elevation change.  Fortunately, most of trail is very well groomed.

Morning Light Awakening Half Dome and Little Yosemite Valley, the Valley of the Merced River, Panorama Trail near Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park, CA MAY 2015
Morning Light Awakening Half Dome and Little Yosemite Valley, the Valley of the Merced River, Panorama Trail near Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park, CA MAY 2015

This portion of the Panorama trail provides a perspective of Half Dome from the back leading down to Little Yosemite Valley and Vernal and Nevada Falls.  Illilouette falls is a 370’ waterfall that is quite beautiful as seen from the Mist Trail.  But, you really cannot see the fall itself from the portion of the trail that I hiked; perhaps crossing the bridge may lead you to a spot where the falls are visible.  There is one spot where you can see the top of falls through the trees and another spot where it may be more visible if you stand right on the cliff edge.  Though you cannot see the fall itself, there is a beautiful cascade where the trail bridge crosses the river.  That, in and of itself, is worth the effort to go there.

Nice weather, nice light, spectacular scenery.  It was a great time.  I hope you enjoy the images.

Regards,

Larry

Sharing Natures Beauty

These and other images are available for purchase from my website, http://www.earthwatcher.us, or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.