Birthday Trip, Part Deux

I have just a few more pictures to share from that great day. I am kind of disappointed that I didn't get more (and better) shots but, I had some technical difficulties with cold batteries. (That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!)

Here's another Merced River pic that is just so serene. It hadn't snowed in about 10 days but being in the shadow of massive cliffs has kept the snowpack looking pure and white. In fact, there was "hoar frost" everywhere that occurs when moisture in the air condenses on the existing snow and freezes into large flakey crystals that reflect light in interesting ways.

Here's a view from the courtyard of the Ahwannee Hotel. Despite the pricey luxury, a visitor can't help but feel so tiny in such a huge setting. The cliffs lead up to Glacier Point.

From the Wawona Tunnel View, I zoomed into Cloud's Rest and Half Dome, which dominate the eastern end of Yosemite Valley. On the left is a small taste of El Capitan, which I couldn't squeeze into the picture with my wide angle lens.

This zoom shot is the most balanced out of all the rainbow shots I took of Lower Yosemite Falls. This is somewhat of an abstract shot and it won't appeal to everyone. It seems that I have almost exhausted all of the best shots in this particular spot. Maybe I'll come back during the spring runoff to capture the amazing intensity.

Here's another capture inside the "Mural Room". I really like the shimmering effect of the copper fireplace. The mural has some pleasing colors and even the gray wall serves a purpose, reflecting the natural light coming through the big picture windows.

Birthday trip to Yosemite Valley!

I've planned this trip out weeks in advance, hoping for fine weather in the midst of this harsh winter, and it worked out great! However, it almost never happened. On the way to the Park, I ran into some very slick ice and nearly slid off the road, In fact, a car a few minutes in front of me did just that. Staying off the brake saved me from ending up where they did. They were OK and just shaken up a little bit.

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Again, I intended to explore some of my favorite spots to get another winter perspective on Yosemite Valley. I also found some ways to get different shots from those same areas, too. I climbed up to a small ledge about 12 feet up and took this Half Dome shot from near the bottom of Yosemite Falls. It's nice but, not a jaw-dropping picture.

I had intended to have an awesome birthday breakfast at the VERY ritzy Ahwannee Hotel but, I just wasn't hungry enough to eat $60 worth of food at the time. If I had never eaten there, I would have dined just to say I have been there and done that. Instead, I wandered around the inside of the historic hotel and tried to capture some of its wonderful features. The fireplaces had roaring fires, except for this one.

I generally don't go to places where the other tourists go but, the Wawona Tunnel view is a special place. I came up with an idea to get a unique perspective on this spot by walking into the tunnel and shooting outward. Interesting but not really a showpiece.

I always go back to my "secret spot" and see what the Merced River will give me. The cold was giving my camera battery fits and I couldn't fully explore this place again before my battery got too weak.

On the way into the Valley, I saw this wonderful scene in the Merced River Canyon. This particular spot gets very little sun during these short days and the snow was still hanging in the trees and on top of the rocks. I struggled to get some nice new shots and a few did come out very good.

More to come!!