The annual pilgrimage is now about to get underway. Count me as one of the devoted pilgrims for a number of years now.
This scene is from February 13, 2014.
I post it to serve as a reminder of two points.
1. Among my numerous captures I always like to include a wide shot of the scene to indicate a sense of "place." In this case the view describes exactly where Horsetail Fall is located on El Capitan. This is very helpful for viewers who are not personally familiar with the location.
2. "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" Dept. This particular day was showing drab and dreary right through official sunset (you can see the heavy cloud cover to the left/West.)
We caught a few moments where the light teased us, and those nimble enough squeezed off a few frames before the scene began to darken again.
Then at 5:40 p.m. a hole opened and the "Holy Grail" appeared - that thin sliver of glowing light against the fully-shaded granite.
This was fully some 8-10 minutes after sunset and many had given up hope and were already packing up and leaving, only to miss the money shot of the day.
The Moral: STAY PUT until you can comfortably say it really is over.
Good shooting to all and I'll see you there!
P.S. - Whoops! Some dust spots on sensor. Hold those comments.
I would expect the moonlight version to be better in April, on the other side of the spring equinox, which would better match the position of the sunset we see at the end of February. You need to time a full enough moon setting while still dark.
Oh... and that is one of the nicest Horsetail photos I've seen! Most usually just have a blue sky which, while, nice, lacks the drama of this one!
I am going to be one of the gazillion there also. Gonna arrive Thurs the 18th and take off after sunrise on Sat the 21st. If anyone is gonna be ther e and wants to meet up shoot me a PM.
1bwana1: Just in case it's not clear, the site you linked says that the moonlit Horsetail Falls opportunity is on *May* 19, whereas the sunset opportunity is in February.
Thanks, everyone, for the kind comments. Appreciated!
Currently there is a storm warning in effect for Yosemite and environs through Thursday (2-18) afternoon. Snow levels expected down to 5000', maybe lower.
If followed by warming/clearing it would bode well for increased flow at Horsetail over the next few days following the storm.
Keep fingers crossed and good shooting to all!
This from the National Weather Service:
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING (Wed) TO 4 PM PST THURSDAY...
* SNOW LEVELS...8,000 FEET...LOWERING TO 7,000 FEET THIS EVENING.
SNOW LEVELS WILL BOTTOM OUT AROUND 5,000 FEET LATE THURSDAY
MORNING.
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...1 TO 2 FEET ABOVE 7000 FEET...2 TO 6 INCHES
BETWEEN 5000 AND 7000 FEET.
* TIMING...THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED WEDNESDAY EVENING INTO
THURSDAY MORNING.
This has to be one of the best of Horsetail I've seen!
Thanks for the reminder though.... cause I can't go
Maybe next year.
Like you, I wait til I need a head lamp to leave
