Bonnie Rannald's Photo-Explorations in focus with nature. : Half Dome

Friday, October 12, 2012

Early October in Yosemite National Park

Highlights from a Day of Exploring

October weather in the Eastern Sierra Nevada's can be very unpredictable, however this year in 2012 it has been very warm and dry. After learning of our first seasonal change coming soon with lower temperatures and possible rain, I decided to return to Yosemite National Park for more photos.

Driving the 70 miles, 112.6 km route through Tioga Pass that reaches altitudes near 10,000 feet, (3048 m) can be challenging even on a clear, sunny day. In many places the winding, two lane road has a drop-off of more that 3,000 feet (914 m) on the east side, with no guard rails. Tioga Pass becomes too dangerous to drive when there is ice and snow so it is closed through the cold weather months and may not open until June.

Upon arriving at Yosemite Valley, one of the first attractions is El Capitan, towering more than 3,000 feet (914 m) above the Valley floor in the northern sky.

"El Cap" has two rock faces pointing to the southeast and to the southwest, with the "Nose" in between. Once considered impossible to climb the world’s largest monolith of granite is now a favorite challenge for rock climbers from across the globe.

A hike down along a quiet stream has a picturesque view of El Capitan reflecting in the calm water with deciduous trees on the bank just beginning to change color.

To the south, the buttresses and pinnacles of Cathedral Spires accent the afternoon sky. Noted for some of the first rock climbing in Yosemite Park, this awesome formation has three summits: Higher, Middle and Lower.

In late afternoon as the sun begins to drop, a walk through a meadow finds a doe and her fawn almost hidden in the tall grass. Unafraid of people, they sit quietly as I keep my distance.

To the west, the Half Dome rises above the landscape at 8,842 feet (2695.04 m) and is one of the youngest formations in Yosemite Valley.

Returning home back through Tioga Pass, I catch one of the smaller active glaciers, the Dana Glacier flowing near the top of 13,053 foot (3978.55 m) Mount Dana, on the east entrance to Yosemite National Park. An interesting note, the temperature where I am standing is around 60° f (15.55° c) and the summer heat is just drawing to an end.

I look forward to a return visit to photograph more of the wonders in Yosemite after Tioga Pass has been cleared in the spring or early summer.

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.

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"

Many of these images are available on my website:

http://www.bonnierannald.com/

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Thursday, September 27, 2012

Yosemite through Tioga Pass

An Autumn Day Trip

On a warm, almost summery day in early fall, I took a drive along the Tioga Pass in to the east part of Yosemite National Park. Tioga Pass, California Highway 120 is located just past Lee Vining and Mono Lake and is the scenic drive through Yosemite. Due to the high elevations of the pass reaching 9,943 feet, 3,031 meters, the winding 36 mile long mountainous road is closed during the snow season, from late fall to late spring.

The topography along Tioga Pass and Highway 120 changes dramatically with granite boulders and rugged mountainous cliffs that take one back through the eons of time.

Suddenly, the view changes to an alpine lake as Tenaya Lake shimmers nestled against the Polly Dome, Medlicott Dome and Tenaya Peak.

Tenaya Lake was created by the Tenaya Glacier which flowed down to the Yosemite Valley.

Rock climbers enjoy the challenge of ascending the ancient granite slopes.

Standing at the base of a huge granite bolder and looking through my 500mm lens, I feel small and insignificant. I spot a young evergreen that has somehow managed to take root on the upper ledge and I can feel John Muir's spirit quoting, “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”

The afternoon sky is hazy from the summer wildfires, however the unique shape of Cathedral Rock can still be seen towering in the distance.

Olmsted Point with Clouds Rest and Half Dome peek out over the landscape of tall pines and evergreens.

With the shorter day, the sun begins its descent, a cool breeze signals its time to turn back and head for home. As I leave the park, I am again reminded of John Muir when he wrote, “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of autumn.”