Notes From The Field

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Skunked!

I drove to Yosemite this last weekend to shoot Horsetail Falls for the annual firefall effect that occurs at the end of February. We had snow and rain on Saturday which would provide the needed flow and Sunday was forecast to be perfectly clear.

True to the forecast, Sunday was beautiful. Nana and I loaded up the trusted Subie and headed south, arriving at the park around noon. We went to a friend's place just outside the park where we were planning on staying for the evening. After a short visit, we headed into the park and made the loop around the valley checking out the conditions. Everything was looking good except some clouds that were building to the west. Funny - this was not forecast by all the local weather folks.

We took a look at the popular north side spot for this shot but decided that the south side spot, near Sentinel Beach was a better bet for what we wanted. I had shot from here back in 2006 as well but the flow was better this year. We parked and got set up in our chosen spots. There were a dozen or so photographers in the immediate area hoping for the shot as well.

As we got closer to sunset, the fog and low clouds continued to build. There were a couple of moments of warmer light but as we got close to the magic moment, the low clouds obscured any hope of a firefall shot on this evening.

Unfortunately, Nana and I had to head back home the next morning. I guess there is always next year!

We hooked up with friends and enjoyed a great Mexican dinner in nearby Groveland and then enjoyed a leisurely drive home on Monday.

Take care all...here's to better light!