Month: November 2016

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 129 (Small-er Miracles at Yosemite)

Jeff

Cascade Falls Yosemite

Cascade Falls is one of the smaller water displays at Yosemite

In staying with our theme of finding hidden wonders in our national parks, I want to show you another picture of Cascade Falls. It isn’t nearly as large as Yosemite Falls, or Vernal Falls or even Bridalveil Fall, but it is still very pretty and dainty; as far as waterfalls go.

I find the cascading water flowing over the rocky “steps” very attractive. I enjoy watching the streams of water and the beautiful patterns they make as they fan out over the rocks. In some ways, they look more like a bride’s veil than does the cascading flourish of that name.

We stopped to view this smaller display as we were heading out of the valley to hike in and around Tuolumne Meadows. There is a bridge-like structure as the road curves and parking in two places nearby. The picture above is the high side of the mountain, but the water flows under the bridge and continues to cascade down into the valley.

While I think the uphill side is prettiest, the downhill display is attractive as well. This doesn’t draw the crowds as much as some of the other features at Yosemite, but it “falls” onto my list of places to stop and see!

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 129 YOY – Year of Yosemite

File Name: 0202.NEF
Capture time: 8:48:16 AM
Capture date: June 7, 2016
Exposure: 1/15 sec @ f/14
Focal Length: 18mm
ISO 200
Nikon D3300

 

STATUS QUOtes — 20161111

Jeff

“A good beginning makes a good end.” — Louis L’Amour

“One man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable stars and the world will be better for this.” — Miguel de Cervantes

“You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.” — Oliver Goldsmith

“You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can see the whole trip that way.” — E. L. Doctorow

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

STATUS QUOtes — 20161110

Jeff

“Don’t just do what makes you happy…do what makes you great.” — Charlie Day

“I heard a definition once: Happiness is health and a short memory! I wish I’d invented it, because it is very true.” — Audrey Hepburn

“You’ve got to tell the world how to treat you.” — James Baldwin

“There’s many a pessimist who got that way by financing an optimist.” — Unknown

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 128 (Another Small Gem – Lizard)

Jeff

Yosemite blue bellied lizard

Another of my favorite subjects to photograph is lizards.

Yesterday I spoke of the small miracles we often overlook as we hike the byways of our parks and natural places by referring to plants, but we need to keep in mind that there are far more miracles than plants, flowers and trees.

The fellow above, probably a Western Fence Lizard, with beautiful markings including a blue belly and black collar is one of nature’s gems. Many lizards are able to shed their tails and then regenerate new appendages…truly a miracle. Look at the coloration. Isn’t that wonderful? This lizard blends well into the rock that it might be hard to see UNLESS you make the effort to look.

I so enjoy looking around as I hike and walk among our woods and fields. There is so much to see. What miracles of nature have you spotted that you feel many might have missed?

You can view a post about another lizard we came across along the Taft Point Trail by visiting Year of Yosemite – 38.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 128 YOY – Year of Yosemite

File Name: 0199.NEF
Capture time: 6:37:04 PM
Capture date: June 6, 2016
Exposure: 1/20 sec @ f/14
Focal Length: 35mm
ISO 100
Nikon D3300

STATUS QUOte – Photography – 20161110

Jeff


Photography Quote

Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter.

– Ansel Adams

Rainbow over Sonoran Desert

** – Photograph Notes – **
Photograph Copyright by Jeff Ross – ALL Rights Reserved
Sonoran Desert Rainbow, North Phoenix, AZ
Canon A590IS, 1/60 sec @ f3.5, ISO 250, Focal Length 9.9mm

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous Photography STATUS QUOtes HERE

See Jeff’s other photographs on Instagram

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 127 (Small Miracles Along the Pathways)

Jeff

Fern and wildlflower along the trail

A fern and Alumroot,Heuchera micrantha growing along the Four Mile Trail.

I find that it is so easy to be awed by the major attractions in our national parks such as Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, etc. that the small natural miracles that appear in significant numbers often get overlooked.

I am always surprise at how plants grab hold and take root in the smallest cracks in the rocks to grow and flourish against what appears to be great odds. We encountered numbers of wildflowers along the Four Mile Trail. Some were yellow, others were purple and yet others were just dainty-leaved beauties.

The fern in the photo above surrounds the Alumroot and it makes it difficult to see the full beauty of that particular species (pinkish, small blooms – upper-right). I had an earlier post, Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 28 (Alumroot-Heuchera micrantha), that you can visit to get a better look.

I hope every time you hike, you make the effort to seek out these hidden gems along the side of the trails or tucked away among the nooks and crannies in the rocks.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 127 YOY – Year of Yosemite

File Name: 0196.NEF
Capture time: 5:40:45 AM/PM
Capture date: June 6, 2016
Exposure: 1/80 sec @ f/5.6
Focal Length: 38mm
ISO 100
Nikon D3300

 

STATUS QUOtes — 20161109

Jeff

“I’ve learned to stop rushing things that need time to grow.” — Unknown

“We teach children to color inside the lines, and then expect adults to think outside the box.” — Frank Sonnenberg

“Successful people do what they have to do, whether they feel like it or not.” — Brian Tracy

“My mother says I didn’t open my eyes for eight days after I was born, but when I did, the first thing I saw was an engagement ring. I was hooked.” — Elizabeth Taylor

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Jeff Shank’s Pickleball Strategy – The Non-receiving Partner

Jeff

In this very brief video, Jeff Shank describes the role of the non-receiving partner on the team that is receiving the serve. The non-receiving partner is not a passive participant! There is a role to play. Watch the video and find out what your responsibility might be if YOU ARE the non receiving partner.

Did you pick out the two major responsibilities of the non-receiving partner?

NOTE – To find out about this series of posts, i.e. 100 Pickleball Strategies by Jeff Shank, read the first post HERE

 

To See additonal Pickleball Videos Covering Many Aspects of the Game Click Here (primarily for beginners and less experienced players)

Check out Additional Pickleball Info and Videos! (for all players including average to more experienced players)

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 126 (Half Dome – Not Always A Beauty)

Jeff

Half Dome seen from Mirror Lake

Half Dome peeks out above other mountains and cliffs as one hikes around and near Mirror Lake

When we began our explorations of Yosemite, we thought we would be able to easily find and complete the Valley Loop Trail. Unfortunately, the map provided to visitors as a freebie was a bit ambiguous.

We were able to hike part of the Valley Loop Trail, but found ourselves accidentally segueing over to the Mirror Lake Trail. There was a ranger addressing a group nearby so I approached and waited to ask a question. When there was a break in the presentation, I learned that we were far off the Valley Loop Trail.

The ranger was very animated and encouraged us to finish the Mirror Lake Trail and told us that there were views of Half Dome that most people don’t see.

Generally speaking, we find that rangers provide very good information. We have relied on them many times and found areas we would probably not have discovered on our own.

So…off we went. The hike around Mirror Lake was pretty and a worthy one. Following the ranger’s advice, I took a detour to see if I could spot Half Dome. The picture above is one of Half Dome among and behind other mountains and cliffs. Even this icon of Yosemite doesn’t always have it’s “best face forward!” It was still something to see, just not as picturesque as usual!

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.