With this being "The Winter That Wasn't" I went scouting last Wednesday to have a look at conditions in Yosemite in general and Horestail Fall in particular.
Snow several weeks ago and some rain last week are providing enough run-off to put a modest amount of water in Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall, but the small watershed atop El Capitan has, thus far, rendered Horsetail Fall dry as a bone.
Things could change for the better during our annual window as several storms are forecast to begin shortly, but I wouldn't bet the ranch this year.
As a consolation, I was delighted to enjoy this deep golden sunset light that rendered a Horsetail Fall-like effect on the bare trees that line the banks of the Merced River upstream from Swinging Bridge. As the sun sets down canyon, the background rockface/trees are in shade while the foreground trees sre still in the path of "Ol' Sol", much like the light that paints Horsetail Fall while leaving the wall of El Cap in shade.
So, here is my "Horsetail Fall" shot for February 2012 - unless Mother Nature gives us the snow-melt and water we crave later in the month...
I love it, especially with the reflection. I have trip to Yosemite planned for the 24th of this month and am also hoping for at least some snow, but it will be beautiful as always none the less.
while i wish you the very best of luck with horsetail falls this season, chaz, from my point of view, you've already nailed it! original, creative, all yours; a simple, stunning and evocative example of pure photography. for reasons of my own tonight, this speaks of bright lights that sometimes burn exquisitely yet sadly don't last.
Lovely capture! Nothing like chasing the light in Yosemite.
I was just up there last weekend. We had planned the trip to catch snow in the valley, but obviously that didn't happen. So we hiked UP Pohono Trail to Stanford Point. Certainly a lovely view, and there was plenty of snow up there (enough that we wished we had packed snowshoes and less camera gear).
Very nice photograph, and it made me think of my own philosophy about horsetail fall season - because almost all of the photographers in the Valley cluster in two places to duplicate the previous photos of horsetail, it is a time of wonderful solitude and opportunities to shoot other subjects! :-)
Thanks, Dan, for the look and nice comment. Your advice to look for other opportunities is well-founded in your own beautiful work.
When shooting the "icons," my wise wife has always said, "Don't forget to look behind you." We have come away with some gems over the years following that advice.
Feb 12, 2012 at 11:46 AM
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Chaz wrote:
Thanks, Dan, for the look and nice comment. Your advice to look for other opportunities is well-founded in your own beautiful work.
When shooting the "icons," my wise wife has always said, "Don't forget to look behind you." We have come away with some gems over the years following that advice.
Was she standing behind you when she said that? If so, you have multiple reasons to look behind you!
