valley loop trail

Photography: As Shot – Butterfly & Bee on a Thistle

Jeff

NOTE – “As Shot” photographs are some that I have posted on Instagram, but without any imposed crop that might not be warranted, less detail reduction and more of an explanation.




Swallowtail butterfly and bees buzz about a thistle at Yosemite National Park

While I would be the first to admit that this is not technically the most perfect photograph, there are certain qualities that I like. We were hiking along the Valley Loop Trail at Yosemite National Park when we came across a clearing. Nature, animals and wildflowers are some of my favorite subjects. The sun was very bright and I noticed that one thistle was receiving a lot of activity.

I remained at a distance not wanting to scare away the insects hovering about. My camera wasn’t the steadiest, but I think the lack of sharpness helps the picture convey a sense of motion. I particularly am glad that I caught the bee coming in from the left; although barely!

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Metadata

File Name: 000025_IMG_0275.tif
Capture time: 10:26:09 AM
Capture date: Jun 5, 2016
Exposure: 1/200 sec @ f/6.5
Focal Length: 215mm
ISO: 100
Camera: Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Lens: 4.3-215mm

Edited in Lightroom

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Valley Loop Trail Boulder Scramble – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 193

Jeff

The Valley Loop Trail has varied terrain

An example of how the Valley Loop Trail’s terrain varies quite a bit

Over the last couple of days I showed specific sections of the Valley Loop Trail in an effort to disclose to those planning to visit Yosemite what they might expect.

On Day 191, it was demonstrated that parts of the trail are easily accessible.

On Day 192, we showed how the path could be unpaved, but relatively smooth.

Today’s post shows a picture of some of the less user-friendly pathway for those who do not have good balance or might be somewhat impaired. This would not be difficult for experienced hikers, but might prove a bit of a problem for those have any walking issues.

If you cannot discern the boulder area in the path, I have used arrows in the picture below to indicate where they are located.


The Valley Loop Trail has varied terrain
Some of the boulder scramble areas are highlighted

 
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 193 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Valley Loop Trail Smooth Path – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 192

Jeff

The Valley Loop Trail has varied terrain

The Valley Loop Trail’s terrain varies quite a bit

The Valley Loop Trail can be a bit deceiving particularly if you are beginning your journey near the Yosemite Village area where there are paved paths, railings, trash bins and numerous signs.

Once you leave that area and travel to the further reaches of trail, the pavement, for the most part, disappears. The section above was located in the area of the The Majestic Yosemite Hotel. While there are some gentle ups and downs and twists and turns, the footing is relatively smooth.

 
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 192 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 9:47 AM
Capture date: June 5, 2016
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Canon PowerShot A590 IS

Valley Loop Trail – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 191

Jeff

Yosemite Falls via the Valley Loop Trail

Yosemite Falls along the Valley Loop Trail

We were so excited to be at Yosemite National Park and we could not wait to hit the trails. One of our first forays was to hike the Valley Loop Trail.

When hiking that trail, especially if you are picking it up around “the village,” you will most likely see a scene similar to the one above. That is Yosemite Falls. It was so impressive with its full flowing abundance and loud roar. I passed it many times an almost every time I was compelled to take another picture. It was so robust and amazing that it was hard to ignore it.

 
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 191 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture date: June 5, 2016
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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 140 (Yosemite Falls from the Woods)

Jeff

Yosemite Falls as seen from the woods

Yosemite Falls can be seen from many points along the Valley Loop Trail

As the other iconic sites at the park, Yosemite Falls looms over a large area and can be seen from many places. Part of the fun and excitement of hiking in Yosemite is to see how different these beautiful natural wonders look at different distances and from different angles.

Seen from the Valley, the falls have a large, almost intimidating persona. When viewed from Glacier Point, which is quite a distance away and much higher, it looks totally different, but still impressive in comparison to the other falls seen from the outlook.

 
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 140 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture date: June 8, 2016
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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 115 (Lupines – Valley Loop Trail)

Jeff

Lupines along the Valley Loop Trail 

A wet spring brought wildflowers to Yosemite and the lupines were abundant!

As YOY followers probably know by now, one of my favorite subjects to record as I hike are wildflowers. The diversity and tenacity of nature to have flowers of such beauty that fend for themselves in the wild leaves me in wonder.

As we hiked the Valley Loop Trail, we would come across pockets of lupiines, but this particular specimen appealed to me because of the colors of the nearby ferns and the lupine leaves. The leaves have a unique (palmate) form and dark green color with lighter highlights along the ridges. Not only that, but lupine leaves have a water-gathering quality. If you look at them after a rain (or watering) you can see that the water beads and collects in strategic places on the plant.

A careful examination of the flower might remind you of a pea. Yes, it is a member of the pea family.

My wildflower ID skills are only “fair” so I am guessing these are Gray’s lupine, but they could be Brewer’s lupine. I am providing links to each below so you can decide.

Gray’s Lupine

Brewer’s Lupine

 
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 115 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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