Yosemite National Park under a full moon

Last month’s trip to Yosemite had us staying south of the valley, which meant a different approach than the one I had always taken before from the San Francisco Bay Area. When you come in from the south you experience “tunnel view”–made famous by Ansel Adams. We happened to be leaving the valley to return to our lodgings just as a nearly full moon rose above the scene.

Posted on April 27th, 2013 under Other. Tags: moon, Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Telephoto Lens, Nikon D600, photomerge, yosemite national park. Comments Off on Yosemite’s Tunnel View with a full moon

Walking on water in Alton Baker Park

Between Day Island Road and the Peter DeFazio Bicycle Bridge in Alton Baker Park in Eugene, Oregon there is a pond of sorts with an island in the middle. If the water level is just right you can “walk on water” to the island. This lady had no problem doing so, even with her cane, but her dog wasn’t so sure this was a good idea.

Posted on April 23rd, 2013 under Oregon. Tags: eugene, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600. Comments Off on O ye of little faith

El Capitan Meadow

Although you can see El Capitan in El Capitan Meadow, the views are excellent all the way around so today’s photo is not of El Capitan but is the view west from the meadow. Ryan and I are in there, but with a wide angle lens we sort of get lost in the scenery.

Posted on April 21st, 2013 under Other. Tags: Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 AF-S NIKKOR G ED N, Nikon D600, ryan, yosemite national park. Comments: 1

You don’t normally get a pic of your own car on the road, but we had friends with us in Yosemite over spring break, and when I took this photo I was in their car.

Posted on April 15th, 2013 under Other. Tags: Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Telephoto Lens, Nikon D600, signs, yosemite national park. Comments Off on Cruising through Yosemite

Ellie (all 6′ 1″ of her) showing that the California Tunnel Tree opening is over 9 feet high

There were once three tunnel trees in Mariposa Grove. One was natural and still exists (the Clothespin Tree). The Fallen Tunnel Tree (AKA The Wawona Tunnel Tree) is the most famous and was the first carved by humans, but it fell in 1969. The California Tunnel Tree (AKA Pioneer Cabin) was carved by humans in 1895 and still stands today*. Getting there involves a short hike from the parking area. You can no longer drive through it like you could a hundred years ago.

When we arrived at 9:30 a.m. there were only about a dozen cars in the Mariposa Grove parking lot and the grove was peaceful. By the time we left at about 11 there were tons of tourists in the grove and a line of cars waiting for parking spaces.

Posted on April 12th, 2013 under Other. Tags: california, ellie, mariposa grove, Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 AF-S NIKKOR G ED N, Nikon D600, yosemite national park. Comments Off on California Tunnel Tree, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park