natural beauty

Tunnel View Moving Closer (3/4) – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 235

Jeff

Tunnel View

Another Photo from Tunnel View

As I explained yesterday, I was trying to capture the “best” picture of El Capitan and Half Dome from Tunnel View. My system theoretically held the formula. I would start with wide shots and zoom in closer and closer to try to capture the most appealing picture.

This is another photo from near the same vantage point as that in the previous post. I tried to use silhouettes of the trees to help frame the icons, but I don’t think it works as well as I had envisioned. Of course Half Dome and El Capitan show well, but I think the silhouettes are distracting. Thank goodness for digital cameras and more attempts!

 
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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Tunnel View Moving On In (2/4) – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 234

Jeff

Tunnel View

El Capitan and Half Dome – the stars of Tunnel View

Yesterday’s post showed a picture I took several minutes prior to this one in which I tried to capture the complete scope of Tunnel View from where I was standing. Of course the major attractions did not appear at their best since they were dwarfed by the wide and distant scene. There I was at Tunnel View with El Capitan and Half Dome looming large before me. The three brothers were off to the side.

I wanted to come away with the best picture I could capture. The problem was, I couldn’t decide which shot that was to be. Imagine visiting this area and not being able to find to frame the best photograph; forget about the perfect shot.

The approach I adopted was not “spray and pray,” but instead, I started wide and worked my way in. This was my systems approach. I didn’t have a wide angle lens and needed to do the best I could with the equipment I had.

I began to narrow in on the features I thought would be given center stage and move in for increasingly tighter shots. I needed to avoid the disappointment of not being able to record a photograph that would satisfy me. I wanted to “do justice” to the iconic features of Yosemite.

 
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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Tunnel View (1/4) – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 233

Jeff

Tunnel View

An encompassing photo of the valley from Tunnel View

Much of the literature about Yosemite National Park refers to the Tunnel View overlook as a “must see” stop for any visitor. This vantage point is held in such reverence by those who have visited the park and have written about it, that it becomes a figurative “do or die” goal for many.

Considering the popularity of Tunnel View and the number of people who are drawn to it, it has a limited parking area the geography being what it is. There are actually two areas; an upper and a lower. If you have patience, you can wait for a spot to open. If you have two or more people in your group, you can take turns behind the wheel while the others stop to visit the overlook and capture some memorable photos.

The vista is certainly a beauty. At the time we took the above picture, it was nearing the “golden hour” for photography and the colors were delightful.

 
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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Steal the Scene from Liberty Cap – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 232

Jeff

Liberty Cap

Liberty Cap seen from Glacier Point

Yesterday’s post discussed how some Yosemite features “suffer” from comparison to the more iconic and more easily recognizable sights of the national park. It is hard to be located adjacent Half Dome and try to draw attention to yourself.

This photo demonstrates the “location conundrum.” While Liberty Cap is located near the center of the photograph, Half Dome pulls our attention to the left of the frame and perhaps another pull comes from the waterfalls on the right.

Liberty Cap is trying to make a statement and avoid “blending in.”

 
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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Liberty Cap – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 231

Jeff

Lizard on the Taft Point Trail

Liberty Cap Mountain and Nevada Falls

Let’s be honest. If I asked you to name the major attractions at Yosemite, would you refer to the mountain in the photo above? This is a massive granite mountain just north of Nevada Fall.

I am willing to wager that many visitors to Glacier Point, the overlook from where this photo was taken, skip over this feature because it tends to be overshadowed by Half Dome, even further to the north (not in the photo). When the water is flowing, Vernal and Nevada Falls also draw attention away from the surrounding mountains, hills, etc. and grab the spotlight. This large feature becomes an unknown co-star for most visitors.

I had never heard of Liberty Cap before out trip to Yosemite and I think most people would share that sentiment as well. A good number probably would not be able to recall it even after visiting Yosemite. That is one of the reasons I love photography. My record is saved for posterity and, if necessary, a Liberty Cap memory jog!

 
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 231 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Lizard Tail on the Trail – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 230

Jeff

Lizard on the Taft Point Trail

Lizard along the Taft Point Trail

This was the second lizard of this type that we saw as we hiked along the Taft Point Trail. We passed one on the way to the point and this specimen showed up as we were on the way back to the parking area.

Interestingly enough, we saw both in the same area which was muddy from recent rains. As you can see, the shutter speed was a bit slow and the movement of his hind leg is blurred.

NOTE: In the YOY Day 38 post, we had a picture of a Sierra Fence Lizard taken during our Taft Point Trail hike and this appears to be the same species. This particular lizard looks as though he is regenerating a new tail which might have been torn off during an escape.

 
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 230 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Leaving Taft Point – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 229

Jeff

Looking back leaving Taft Point

Looking back towards Taft Point as we head back to the trailhead

After spending time soaking in the magnificent views offered to visitors at Taft Point, it was time to head back to the trailhead and parking area. As we made our way past the fissures, we took one last look back at the scene.

We had quite a day taking in valley views from both Glacier Point and Taft Point. These were adventures we will never forget!

 
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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Farther View of the Falls from Taft Point – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 228

Jeff

Yosemite Falls from Taft Point

A farther view of Yosemite Falls from Taft Point

Yesterday’s post touted the size, beauty and strength of Yosemite Falls. As part of that dialogue, I explained that being above the valley enables visitors to see the relationship of Yosemite’s features to each other.

This is a more distant view of the falls from farther back on the trail. You can get a better sense of where the falls are geographically and of course El Capitan would be toward the left of the frame (not visible) .

From this point, we started the return trip back to the car.

 
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 228 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Yosemite Falls from Taft Point – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 227

Jeff

Yosemite Falls from Taft Point

A view of Yosemite Falls from Taft Point

When visitors are in and around Yosemite Valley during spring and early summer and they hear the roar of Yosemite Falls, they may walk toward the bottom level to watch the torrent of water free falling down the wall of the mountain and into the basin. It is quite a sight; and quite a splash I might add.

I suppose some visitors think that what they are viewing is the total of Yosemite Falls, but if they could actually see the entire waterfall, their amazement would increase more than twofold. It is huge!

That is the beauty of hiking at Glacier Point and Taft Point…you get to see the bird’s eye view of Yosemite Valley. There is more than meets the eye at ground level and it is easier to understand the relationship of all of the major attractions to each other when standing at the top of it all.

The photograph above shows the full scope of Yosemite Falls. It was wonderful, beautiful and powerful. The roar of the falls can be heard for quite a distance at ground level and lulled us to sleep at night.

 
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 227 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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El Capitan’s Nose from Taft Point – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 226

Jeff

El Capitan from Taft Trail

El Capitan close up from Taft Trail

Yesterday’s post showed a more distant picture of El Capitan with the surrounding meadows and the Merced River. This photo brings viewers a bit closer to El Capitan and the “nose” of the mountain.

The nose is the ridge facing left that juts out like a nose on a face. I guess mountains do have faces…don’t they?

 
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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