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California is home to some incredible trees including those thought to be the oldest (Bristlecone pines),  tallest (California Redwoods) and massive by volume (Giant Sequoias). Giant Sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) can grow to be well over 200 feet tall and have trunks large enough to create a tunnel for a car to drive through. Some of the most impressive specimens in Northern California can be found in Yosemite

Flooding was so extensive this past June in Yosemite that tons of unique photo opportunities presented themselves. One of my favorites was this view of a flooded meadow near Cathedral Rock. The railing is about 3-4 feet tall to guide visitors to walk around the meadow along Yosemite valley loop road. I can’t say I’ve ever seen the valley so flooded to the point water was coming up the shoulder of the road

This photo is one instance where taking photos with my iPhone helped me hone a vision of an image I wanted to capture with my dSLR.  A fun day out with my camera phone helped me see something I’d have walked past otherwise. A little experimentation and I knew I had to return with my dSLR. Another instance of this occurred with the photo in my Trees in the Fog blog entry. These days I find myself experimenting a

One of the biggest challenges I faced while in Yosemite photographing moonbows was ensuring that my camera would not be ruined by the heavy mist at the base of Yosemite Falls. The mist was so heavy that it was equivalent to being in a moderate rain shower with wind.  I was very fortunate to receive a ThinkTank Hydrophobia 70-200 rain-cover just before my trip and it sure helped keep my camera dry in trying conditions

Photographing Yosemite in the Spring is an amazing sight, particularly this year, with waterfalls flowing in full force. This year I’ve seen more waterfalls in Yosemite than ever before. Seasonal waterfalls were visible no matter where you looked. Even more amazing in these conditions is photographing what you cannot see namely a moonbow or lunar rainbow. Anatomically our eyes cannot see color at night, but our

Yosemite provides an endless well of inspiration, even more so if you stop looking up. Tough to do, but always enlightening when it happens. On a casual walk amidst burnt trees on the valley floor the wind was kind enough to introduce me to some beautiful ferns. The next time you’re walking in your favorite location I recommend listening to the wind as you never know what it’ll introduce you to. [tags]pho

Last week while in Yosemite I have to admit beyond obsessing on Moonbows I was amazed how high the Merced River water level had risen. I found myself returning to the same spots over and over to see how high the water was going. Almost every trip I make to Yosemite I can’t help but visit Swinging Bridge. Normally the bridge is well above the river and in past summers I’ve rafted under it and even seen som

One of the most magical phenomenon in Yosemite National Park are moonbows, otherwise known as lunar rainbows.  This past week clear skies, a full moon and waterfalls at peak flow provided optimal conditions to photograph moonbows. Interestingly enough due to the physiology of our eyes it is not possible to see moonbows at night. The rods in our retinas take over in low light conditions making everything appear bluish