Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 125 (Danger Sign Ignored)

Jeff

A warning sign many ignoreX

A sign placed near the entrance to the trail leading to Bridalveil Fall

This is something I just don’t understand. This warning sign is very clear and announces DANGER. I don’t know how legible it is on your computer monitor or device, but the little red and yellow sign in the upper-left says:

2015 life altering injuries to visitors scrambling between boulders below waterfalls:

  • 1 spinal fracture – paraplegic
  • 1 cervical fracture – quadraplegic
  • 1 skull fracture – traumatic brain injury
  • 1 shoulder dislocation
  • Multiple leg and arm fractures

PLEASE STAY ON THE TRAIL

Below this sign, there are replicas of x-rays that show some of the broken bones and injuries.

With all this, AND with rather large yellow danger signs attached to some of the boulders, people were still scrambling on the rocks and taking risks just like those in the picture.

It is hard for me to understand this behavior. I enjoy a thrill as much as anyone else, but when clear warning is given in a national park or other hiking area, attention must be paid! Another thing or two to keep in mind…Where is the nearest hospital and how would I get there?

 
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.

 

STATUS QUOtes — 20161107

Jeff

“Don’t re-think; pre-think.” — Vikrant Parsai

“How glorious it is – and also how painful – to be an exception.” — Alfred De Musset

“She was like the moon—part of her was always hidden away.” — Dia Reeves, Bleeding Violet

“Fortunes are made by buying low and selling too soon.” — Nathan Mayer Rothschild

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

TIME Magazine – 100 Most Influential Photographs

Jeff

On November 17th, TIME Magazine will be offering an exploration of “the most influential images of all time.

The intent is to explore each of the images being considered and to decide what was the impact and lasting effect of each image.

What image would you pick as the most influential of all time? (i.e. had the most profound or lasting effect – my interpretation).

Would it be the Bambino saying goodbye at Yankee Stadium?**

Babe Ruth's goodbye at Yankee Stadium

Would it be the crash and burn of the Hindenburg blimp?**

The burning of the Hindenburg blmip

Would it be the famous end of WWII kiss in NYC?**

A sailor kissing a nurse at the end of WWII

Perhaps Jackie Kennedy reaching toward the back of the limousine.**

Jackie Kennedy when JFK was shot

**NOTE** – The pictures above were taken as screen shots from the video below.

As a photo enthusiast, I will be awaiting this series with great interest. Watch the video below to see if any of the photographs shown resonate with you.

From the notes on the YouTube Video:

Published on Nov 1, 2016

In this unprecedented exploration of 100 photographs that shaped the human experience, TIME goes behind each spectacular image to reveal how and why it changed the course of history.

From TIME’s Website: Visit the complete multimedia experience on Nov. 17th at time.com/100photos

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 124 (Bridalveil Fall)

Jeff

Bridalveil Fall

Bridalveil Fall was creating quite a spash!

Unfortunately, I think I might have missed some opportunities by visiting Bridalveil only one time. I did get a few photographs, but nothing that I would categorize as “special” IMHO.

While writing my Year of Yosemite posts, I have come to realize how we sometimes misname a particular waterfall. Invariably many of us add an “s” on the end of a waterfall’s name. For example, when I search Google for Bridalveil Fall, even on Tripadvisor, it is sometimes labeled Bridalveil Falls. There are certain waterfalls that do carry the “s,” at the end, but these are the features that generally have several different areas where the water cascades.

Here is a list of some of the waterfalls at Yosemite to underscore the point:

  • Bridalveil Fall
  • Chilnualna Falls
  • Horsetail Fall
  • Illilouette Fall
  • Nevada Fall
  • Ribbon Fall
  • Sentinel Fall
  • Vernal Fall
  • Wapama Falls
  • Yosemite Falls

 
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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STATUS QUOtes — 20161106

Jeff

“Let not thy will roar, when thy power can but whisper.” — Dr. Thomas Fuller

“To be successful, you need family and friends. But, to be very successful, you need enemies and competitors.” — Unknown

“The ‘what ifs’ and ‘should haves’ will eat your brain.” — John O’ Callaghan

“Never be the first to arrive at a party or the last to go home, and never, ever be both.” — David Brown

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Humor Video – Dogs Called to Dinner

Jeff

These dogs are very well-behaved. Each waits until their name is called before proceeding to the chow line. They appear to be called in a random order, but could be conditioned to the same daily roll call. All goes well UNTIL…the very last dog who seems to have the patience of Job or resents being called last. I think you will enjoy this very short video.

 


See more JBRish humor posts HERE

 

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 123 (Wildflower – California Sweetshrub)

Jeff

California Sweetshrub

Calycanthus occidentalis aka California Allspice or California Sweetshrub near the Arch Entrance at Yosemite

While pulling off the main road into Yosemite from the El Portal access, known as the Arch Rock Entrance (click HERE for a picture), I entered a staff parking lot. In many of the wooded spaces surrounding the parking area, there were numerous bushes of California Allspice also called California Sweetshrub.

At first I thought it might be a type of rhododendron, but I was able to make a positive identification using a field guide. The pretty red color against the lush green foliage was very striking. Some of my favorite moments during my hiking trips are discovering a wildflower or wild plants such as these.

 
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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STATUS QUOtes — 20161105

Jeff

“Autumn arrives in early morning, but spring at the close of a winter day.” — Elizabeth Bowen

“There are only two options regarding commitment. You’re either IN or you’re OUT. There is no such thing as life in-between.” — Pat Riley

“Claim your space. Draw a circle of light around it. Push back against the dark. Don’t just survive. Celebrate.” — Charles Frazier, Nightwoods

“People who have gift of gab, often do not know how to wrap it up.” — Unknown

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Birds of Arizona – Wild Turkey (Melagris gallopavo)

Jeff

Wild Turkey in Arizona

This colorful fellow came across our path as we were hiking in Brown Canyon which is part of the Coronado National Forest. There were a couple of females around and as we approached, he fluffed his feathers and put on quite a display. His wattle got redder and redder until it remained a deep, dark red. I never appreciated how colorful and perhaps a bit strange turkeys appeared.

There is one subspecies of turkey that is known to inhabit the area in which this particular bird was spotted and it is Merriam’s Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami). I am guessing that is the bird in these pictures, but I am not absolutely certain. Any comments that would help confirm this would be appreciated.

Below is close up of the tom’s head. It really is astounding to see all those vibrant colors and features!

Wild Turkey in Arizona - Head Shot

For more information, you can check Arizona Game & Fish Department web page.


My Personal Birding Philosophy

I enjoy birdwatching or rather bird identification. I am not an avid birdwatcher, but rather an opportunistic birdwatcher. What I mean by that is that my other hobby, photography, takes me to scenic places where I often see birds. I like to take several snaps of the birds and then return home with my birding books and try to identify the winged creatures I encountered.

I must confess that I am not one to travel far just to see a bird or two although I have done that on occasion. I would rather take them as they come and count myself lucky when I spot a new-to-me bird. I do admire birds and advocate for them whenever I can.

 
See additional photographs and posts about birds HERE.

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 122 (Looking Over the Edge at Taft Point)

Jeff

A view from near the edge at Taft Point

El Capitan looms large when viewed from Taft Point

As I worked my way to the edge of a viewing area at Taft Point, I saw El Capitan in all if it’s glory. It was truly impressive. Look at all those nooks and crannies! The Yosemite Valley meadow stands out as a welcoming pathway.

Also visible is the Merced River meandering by on the left of the meadow areas. Look at the cliff on the left in the picture above. Did you notice…

A view from near the edge at Taft Point

In the enlarged portion of the photo above, there is one person near the left of the photo (circled in red) who is standing up and taking a picture and then there is a dangler under the yellow arrow. I am always astounded at how close to the edge some people feel comfortable.

 
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 122 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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