Yosemite in the Winter...

I was able to spend some time in Yosemite National Park this week to take photographs in the wintertime. It was beautiful, snow covered and not too crowded...except for photographers. It seems like everyone had a tripod in their hand.



The classic "Tunnel View" of the valley...



Yosemite's Chapel...

Of course, many of us were there to witness an event that only takes place for a short period each year. During the last two weeks of February, the setting sun backlights Horsetail Falls, on the east buttress of El Capitan, producing a beautiful, natural "firefall". Made popular in a photograph by the late Galen Rowell, many photographers come each year to try and find the right combination of water flow, clear skies and warm sunset light to produce their own "firefall" image.

In dry winters, the ephemeral Horsetail Falls is dry - cold years, frozen, or more commonly, shrouded in clouds and not visible. For the past week or so, that was the case - cloudy with snow. Also, due to the continued cold temps, the snow above was not melting as quickly so the water flow was light.

But - since Monday had dawned crystal clear, all was looking quite promising - until the clouds moved in during the afternoon. I found myself, along with several other photographers, at a popular viewpoint along the Merced River near Sentinel Beach waiting to see if all the necessary elements were going to fall into place. Although it was quite cloudy, the sun managed to keep peeking through and lighting the falls. We all hoped it would hold until the last light of the day - that beautiful warm light that turns the falls a deep reddish orange.



Horsetail Falls in the late afternoon light...

Unfortunately, as the light got warmer, and the angle got better, the clouds moved in and blocked it from the falls. About the time we all decided to pack up for the evening, the last hint of warm, red light from the central valley of California peeked through the clouds and the thin wisp of water flowing over the rocks turned a crimson red.



This light lasted for maybe 30 seconds and then it was dark...

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Take care all and remember that winter's cold and snow is not an excuse not to get out and take photographs. Challenge yourself, your equipment and Mother Nature herself to find the best light and subjects at hand.

Bill