Photo Journal: Yosemite In Spring

April 2021  |  Yosemite National Park, California

In April, I had a wonderful week-long visit to Yosemite National Park — one of the highlights of our national park system. It was a great time to visit — minimal crowds, plenty of water from the spring melt flowing over the falls, beautiful weather (although not enough clouds ????), and the dogwood trees just beginning to blossom. Although there are the traditional and stunning iconic views of the park that are often photographed (El Capitan, Half Dome, Tunnel View, Cathedral Rocks, and the many waterfalls), I chose to focus mainly on more intimate or abstract landscape images that for me continue to showcase the natural beauty, power and grace of nature. The trip was made all the more special by my wonderful travel companions: my daughter, Emily, a young photographer in Los Angeles, joined me for the weekend (@emilywaterburyphotography), and then I had the privilege for shooting with William Neill for several days. Bill is a well-known and super talented landscape photographer and teacher who has been living and photographing in Yosemite Valley for decades (and he continues to make unique and inspiring images!!).

Tunnel View (Inspiration Point) after a late afternoon clearing thunderstorm
Clearing Storm, Inspiration Point

Tunnel View (Inspiration Point) after a late afternoon clearing thunderstorm

In general, I started and ended each day with a quick trip to Inspiration Point, which provides an iconic view of many of the sites for which Yosemite Valley is best known. On some days, while the view never gets old, the opportunity for unique photographs can be limited ... but a clearing storm, or mist or clouds or the soft light of sunrise can provide additional interest. On my first day, I drove from San Francisco, checked in to the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal, just outside the park entrance, and then headed up to Inspiration Point (often called Tunnel View) for my first glimpse at Yosemite Valley. I arrived to a grey, overcast (boring) sky, found a position between all of the iPhone photographers, and waited. After about 30 minutes it started to rain (I had to run back to my car to grab a raincoat and cover for the camera), but after another 20 minutes, after most tourists had succumbed to the weather, the rain stopped, the sun began to break through the clouds, and I was treated to a wonderful show of light and shadows on the granite cliffs and forest floor of Yosemite Valley.

Abstract of rushing water in the Merced River, with soft evening light reflected off the surrounding cliffs.
Spring Reflections in the Merced

Abstract of rushing water in the Merced River, with soft evening light reflected off the surrounding cliffs.

I love water in all its manifestations in nature, and was constantly looking for more abstract images using water -- patterns and ripples in the water, reflections, or water in motion. -- shooting to either blur the water to emphasize the motion, or stop rapidly flowing water . Yosemite in the spring is blessed with an abundance of water, and one of the joys of photographing in the valley during this season is to capture water in motion. The camera, with a slow shutter speed, is able to “see” water in a way that the human eye cannot … a little more abstract, with a greater emphasis on movement, shape, lines and form. I spent literally hours pointing my lens at the rapids in the Merced River, with endless possible compositions … and always an element of surprise as to what the camera, exposing at 1 second or 5 seconds, would ultimately deliver.

Reflection of cliffs and trees in the Merced River
Ripples & Reflections

Reflection of cliffs and trees in the Merced River

Reflections of trees in the Merced River.

Reflections of trees in the Merced River.

Ripples on the surface of the water cause a circle that outlines the golden-colored collection of rocks on the river bottom.
Golden Circles

Ripples on the surface of the water cause a circle that outlines the golden-colored collection of rocks on the river bottom.

Detail of Vernal Falls, Yosemite Valley, photographed from a rock in the middle of the river, and showing a rainbow of colors...
Vernal Falls

Detail of Vernal Falls, Yosemite Valley, photographed from a rock in the middle of the river, and showing a rainbow of colors.

Yosemite in the spring is blessed with an abundance of water, and one of the joys of photographing in the valley during this season is to capture water in motion. The camera, with a slow shutter speed, is able to “see” water in a way that the human eye cannot … a little more abstract, with a greater emphasis on movement, shape, lines and form. I spent literally hours pointing my lens at the rapids in the Merced River, with endless possible compositions … and always an element of surprise as to what the camera, exposing at 1 second or 5 seconds, would ultimately deliver. And Yosemite is perhaps best known for its waterfalls ... huge amounts of water thundering over the granite cliffs and falling hundreds of feet to the valley below. Again, the human eye sees a stead stream of white water in the falls, but the camera, with a very fast shutter speed, can "see" the falling water, spray and mist in a way that the eye cannot, delivering more unexpected pleasures.

Mist detail, Yosemite Falls

Mist detail, Yosemite Falls

Detail of water and spray descending from Bridel Veil Falls, photographed from across the Merced River
Shooting Spray

Detail of water and spray descending from Bridel Veil Falls, photographed from across the Merced River

Long exposure of water flowing over the Upper Cascades Falls just west of Yosemite Valley

Long exposure of water flowing over the Upper Cascades Falls just west of Yosemite Valley

Abstract detail of mist and spray, Upper Yosemite Falls
Veil of Smoke

Abstract detail of mist and spray, Upper Yosemite Falls

Trees begin to blossom in early spring, creating a screen of green.
Spring Trees

Trees begin to blossom in early spring, creating a screen of green.

My daughter was surprised and amazed to see the number and variety of trees in Yosemite Valley (especially compared to her hometown of Los Angeles). Striking in the fall, the aspens, pines, oaks, cottonwoods, and dogwoods are equally impressive to see in spring. Although Mariposa Grove, with its giant sequoias, is temporarily closed because of damage from a severe wind storm in January, we had fun photographing a variety of trees in the valley. Some were just a screen of light green leaves or buds characteristic of springtime, and some were remarkable because of their structure or shape. All a reminder of the rebirth all around us.

Trees on the floor of Yosemite Valley, the victim of severe winter storms, and damage from a multi-year drought.
Fallen Trees

Trees on the floor of Yosemite Valley, the victim of severe winter storms, and damage from a multi-year drought.

In early spring, small trees along the Merced River show the first signs of rebirth.
First Buds

In early spring, small trees along the Merced River show the first signs of rebirth.

Dogwood trees in full bloom in the forest at the Housekeeping Camp, Yosemite Valley
Dogwoods 1

Dogwood trees in full bloom in the forest at the Housekeeping Camp, Yosemite Valley

One of the joys of visiting Yosemite Valley in spring is to witness the blooming of the dogwoods. When I first arrived in the park, almost no trees were in bloom … a few had a hint of green flowers to come. But 5 days later, flowering dogwoods were everywhere … in the forest, around the hotels, along the Merced River … what a treat to see this rebirth! Photographing the dogwoods was a bit of challenge, however. While some would say we had “perfect” weather – warm temperatures and clear blue skies … this wasn’t ideal for making images of delicate dogwood flowers! Very little shade, a good amount of wind, and lots of depth to deal with … hard to avoid the harsh light, get everything sharp and in focus, and still achieve some motion blur in the river. It’s amazing that the iphone, with its sophisticated artificial intelligence, has an easier time with these conditions (just more difficult to produce large prints!). Patience yielded a few images that I’m happy with, and that give a flavor of spring in Yosemite.

Dogwood trees at the Housekeeping Camp in Yosemite, set against the shadowed cliffs behind.
Dogwoods 2

Dogwood trees at the Housekeeping Camp in Yosemite, set against the shadowed cliffs behind.

New dogwood flowers against the backdrop of fast moving white water in the Merced River, Yosemite Valley
Dogwood Blossoms

New dogwood flowers against the backdrop of fast moving white water in the Merced River, Yosemite Valley

Half Dome, with the last warm light of the day hitting the peaks and lighting up nearby clouds.
Sunset at Half Dome

Half Dome, with the last warm light of the day hitting the peaks and lighting up nearby clouds.

While I really enjoyed photographing the more intimate landscapes and abstracts in Yosemite Valley, it’s hard to ignore the granite rock faces and iconic waterfalls that make this national park so special. This is an image made just prior to sunset, with the warm sunlight just kissing the top of Half Dome. Below, is another image of Inspiration Point -- this one at sunrise.

The glow of the rising sun begins to illuminate Yosemite Valley, as seen from Inspiration Point (Tunnel View).
Sunrise at Tunnel View

The glow of the rising sun begins to illuminate Yosemite Valley, as seen from Inspiration Point (Tunnel View).

Night sky from Valley View

Night sky from Valley View

Clear skies and a full moon gave me a chance to introduce my daughter to night photography, and some of its challenges: focusing in the dark, having a long enough exposure to see the stars and have some light on the foreground, while at the same time short enough to achieve pin-point stars (without star trails), and all in a manner that minimizes digital noise. Modern technology now makes all of this possible -- but it still has its challenges! We had a beautiful, starry night to experiment, and the full moon from behind us added just the right amount of glow to the granite cliffs. In all, a fitting way to end our stay in Yosemite Valley!!

Posted in Travel and tagged National Park.

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