I notice that another post had a photo of Horse Tail Fall. Here's mine and the story about this event:
What Luck!
On my first landscape photography trip to the Yosemite Valley I had an amazing experience that I would love to share.
Each year for a few days at the end of February when the sun is in just the right spot at sunset, there's a chance you can see and photograph one of the most amazing things. Something most landscape photographers would love to shoot. The last rays of light on Horsetail Fall.
If you don't know about this phenomenon... here's what happens:
For a quick minute or two on the last few days of February the setting sun hits nothing but the falling water and the granite wall of El Capitan, causing it to glow like a raining fire. In order to experience this event a few things must come together.
1. There has to be snow on top of El Capitan.
2. You have to have a good enough thaw during the last few days of February to create enough of a waterfall. This fall is very small and looks like a ribbon of water from a distance.
3. The waterfall must have a clear view of the sun at the exact right time at sunset.
(I'm told these things come together on an average of once every 10 years)
Oh yes, one more thing:
You must be there to photograph it. Thousands have tried.... some were successful.... most were not.
Others there to witness the event on this day said after many February's of coming back to the same spot they'd never seen anything like this.
Here's the lucky part. I got it on my first trip!
It's not WHAT you know... it's how lucky you are for knowing it.
Tim, a very beautiful shot. Different from the other ones I have seen because of the distant mist. Galen Rowell in his book, Mountain Light, narrates how he got his and is an interesting read.
Extremely beautiful sight ... I never this spectacular phenomenon existed .. Now, I do ...
don't think I will ever be there to see one ...but thanks for posting this ... a treat.
ApB
I am aware of this fire fall as I think its called, but I have not had the pleasure of capturing it myself. The composure is very good. The image is very good. To me the image appears a bit flat and also appears to have quite a bit of noise. This could just be jpg artifacting, I have had this myself, and it lacks a pop. I use fred's velvia vision for my landscape shots and it really helps make the image pop and his sharpening action to give additional pop. My last post here from my last yosemite trip used examples of both of the actions. (squid.com/~tillman/dome.jpg). Again great luck and shot.
Very cool, Tim. Looks like a stream of lava or fire! Thanks for the details you shared, too. I can only imagine how excited you were when this appeared before your eyes. That's one of the most exhilarating things about landscape photography IMO - when planning, patience, luck, etc. all come together.
