Yosemite Phototour

I have always wanted to see Yosemite with the waterfalls in full bloom, and we did just that for a week in May.  Laurie and I joined a photography workshop in Yosemite.  We arrived on Sunday afternoon, with rain and then snow greeting us as we moved to the higher elevations.  It was beautiful.  Each day, we went to specific locations (Monday - valley floor, Tuedsay - Vernal Falls, Wednesday - all over the valley, Thursday - hike to Columbia Point, Friday - more spots on the valley floor).  Laurie was a great sport... and I had a blast.  Combined, we took over 4,300 pictures!  I put some of our favorites below.  I hope you enjoy them.

Monday was a bit blustery, with fog and clouds and rain - perfect for picture taking!

Monday was not a very pleasant day. Throughout the day, it rained, or was foggy, and it was cold all day.  But the light conditions were remarkable.  Lots of interesting clouds and fog throughout the valley.  The lack of bright sun didn't deter the hardy photographers from plying their trade.  

Yosemite Falls from one of many bridges crossing the Merced River.

Tuesday, we headed up to Vernal Falls... it was a nice trek, but rainy and cloudy.  So those pictures didn't make the top ten.  But with all the rain and cold, we saw fog forming in the valley.  So Tuesday night, we headed to Tunnel View, and waited, and waited and waited.  Here is the view of the fog playing amongst the trees.

Trees and Valley fog from Tunnel View

After it was almost completely dark, and the fog was really settling in, Laurie took a remarkable, 7 minute exposure.  Enjoy.

Yosemite Valley, El Capitan climbers, Bridlevail Falls from Tunnel view.

Wednesday, we woke up to four inches of new snow at our rental.  We were at 6,000', and barely got out of our steep driveway without inflicting major damage on the car.  But it was sunny, so instead of learning about photoshop, everyone wanted to get back to taking pictures.

El Capitan from the northern road on a sunny day.

This one of El Capitan made the cut.  Wednesday then began to cloud up again, and we all got drenched.  Thursday was much better.  A beautiful, sunny day.  We packed all our gear into backpacks for the climb up to Columbia Point and the base of Upper Yosemite Falls.  We gained 1,000 feet in a mile!  Like going up stairs for an hour!  But the view was totally worth it!

Half dome from the Trail to Upper Yosemite Falls.

Once we got to the Point, we continued on so Laurie could get this shot of Yosemite Falls and it's rainbow.

Rainbow at the base of Upper Yosemite Falls.

Friday was another beautiful, clear day.  We drove to several more spots around the valley, taking more pictures and practicing what we learned during the week.  Flowing water was the theme for the day.  

Merced River near Bridal Veil Falls. 

Here, we heard sightings of a bear and two cubs nearby.  I thought I saw them, and headed off with my large lens to see what I could find... No bears, only ravens picking at something across the river.  Not one to let a photo-op go, I captured some flowers lit up by the sun.

Yosemite Dogwood

We then headed to Cascade Falls to further practice our theme for the day.  Laurie was the master of composition.  Check out this remarkable shot...

Cascade Falls as only the camera could see it.

And another nearby....

Cascade Falls

Every time we drove through the valley, we went by these lovely falls alongside the road.  On Friday, we finally had the chance to spend time there and enjoy the roar of these mighty falls.

Fern Springs Falls

Just to be clear, these falls are maybe two feet tall.  I could straddle the entire stream.  But they are ever so cute!

As we were heading to dinner, before our final shoot, we spotted a throng of tourists busy snapping pictures.  All week, Laurie was waiting to see a bear.. and there, right before our eyes, was a bear.  A terrific end to the week.

 

We need to leave already?  I still want to play in this tree!

The cubs were a riot.  They were up and down the trees so fast!  Finally, we went to dinner and waited for evening, so we could get our last shot.  All in all, a very nice week.  We have about 4,290 more pictures, if you want to see more of Yosemite.  I would recommend you go there yourself... Pictures can't do it justice, though we tried.

Half Dome on the Merced River