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Archive 2016 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

Chaz
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

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.

Feb 11, 2016 at 05:35 PM

jforkner
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

Good reminder. I was there on the 5th and the falls were flowing. Hopefully we’ll get more rain/snow in the next week or so. Nice shot BTW!

Jack

Feb 11, 2016 at 06:42 PM

1bwana1
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

This year we also have a chance at getting the even more rare moonlight version of the same effect on the 19th.

I will be there from the Thursday 18th through Sunday the 21st. Fingers crossed.

Feb 11, 2016 at 08:11 PM

Zeph
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

Great comp with the pine in the FG and that luminous sky, beautiful.
Chaz, it's time to clean your sensor...

Feb 11, 2016 at 08:39 PM

Luvwine
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

1bwana1 wrote:
This year we also have a chance at getting the even more rare moonlight version of the same effect on the 19th.

I will be there from the Thursday 18th through Sunday the 21st. Fingers crossed.

Is it only the 19th? I have never been to Yosemite, but am flying in the 19th and there a week or so.

Feb 12, 2016 at 12:12 AM

1bwana1
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

The article I read about it only said the 19th. Maybe someone with more knowledge about it than me can contribute.

Here is a link to where I read about it. It looks like only the 19th from this article.

http://blog.aaronmphotography.com/2015/12/20/horsetail-falls-2016-yosemite-national-park/

Feb 12, 2016 at 09:58 AM

Brad Williams
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

Beautiful photo Chaz!

Feb 12, 2016 at 12:42 PM

kylebarendrick
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

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!

Feb 12, 2016 at 01:45 PM

Jim Bau
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

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.

Feb 17, 2016 at 01:26 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

Beautiful shot. Very different take on it.
Best,
Fred

Feb 17, 2016 at 01:28 AM

minnend
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

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.

Feb 17, 2016 at 03:57 AM

jhg photo
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

Perfect ligth on the fall. What a shot.
You never know when it is really over, e.g., how might it have been in full moon?

Feb 17, 2016 at 04:10 AM

Chaz
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

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.

Feb 17, 2016 at 08:39 AM

mabidally
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

That's a gorgeous image, the light play is fantastic.

(You have a couple of dust spots that need sorting out, the image is too good to leave those unattended to)

Feb 17, 2016 at 11:27 AM

Chaz
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

Thanks, mabidally, for your kind comment. Appreciated.

Dust spots duly noted and long since corrected on master file - just not on this post.

Feb 17, 2016 at 11:48 AM

Mark Metternich
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

Absolutely deamy light here on this popular location. Maybe the best I have ever seen.

Feb 17, 2016 at 04:00 PM

dswiger
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

Chaz,

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

Dan

Feb 17, 2016 at 07:07 PM

eyelaser
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

Just wow! Lesson learned..and this is great advice for all types of shooting!
Eric

Feb 17, 2016 at 07:18 PM

Matt.Dieterich
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

Incredible capture Chaz. Great work and patience with this gem =)

Feb 17, 2016 at 09:27 PM

Chaz
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Yosemite Horsetail Fall (Reminder)

Thanks, Mark. Yes, dreamy light, indeed - and you're certainly the authority on THAT subject!

Dan - Thanks for the kind comment. appreciated. Yep, my motto is "Have headlamp - will wait."

Eric - Thanks, also for the kind comment. Appreciated.

Matt - Ditto on the thanks. Your kind comment appreciated.

Some snow hit the valley floor overnight. Will today bring good "clearing storm" conditions...? Stay tuned.

Feb 18, 2016 at 12:32 PM

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