Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Tioga Pass Reveals its Soft Side as Wildflowers Bloom


Fragile beauty thrives in the rocky terrain


Tioga Pass, the paved road leading to the eastern entrance of Yosemite opened late this year due to the huge amount of snow over the 2016-2017 winter.  As soon as possible, I made a day trip to check out the scenery along this picturesque drive.  Tioga Pass winds up through the higher elevations and is so narrow in places that it is not safe for winter driving; therefore the road is closed from the first snowfall until late spring. 


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I was quite surprised to see so much snow still lingering on the slopes this late in June. 


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There was so much water coming from the melting snow that it formed a large stream which flowed into a waterfall that poured down through the rugged mountainous canyon.


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Driving up higher, I began to notice wildflowers growing along the rocky slopes. 


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On closer inspection and I realized these vivid fuchsia flowers were  Mountain Pride or  Penstemon newberryi  penstemons. 


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In the gravely areas along the roadside the Showy Milkweed was just beginning to flower.


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Suddenly a flash of red caught my eye and the Beaked Beardtongue penstemons  Penstemon Rostriflorus were thriving along the rocky bands of the road.  


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Additionally a number of Giant Red Paintbrush Castilleja miniata were making a spectacular showing! 


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Delicate flowers of  the spiny Prickly Poppy accented the rocky terrain.


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What an awesome photo-adventure this turned out to be.  I came in hopes of just enjoying the rugged scenery along the Tioga Pass and was delighted with a showing of wildflowers.  


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Come back often and  join me as I explore the awesome moments of nature.  Follow my blog for updates on my photo-adventures!



Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level. 




What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!


Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.


 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 




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