Although I starting visiting the "big name" parks out west in the 60s, what I'd heard of the huge crowds at this one kept me from even considering a visit for many years.
Our temporary stay in Palo Alto seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally visit Yosemite National Park, and California's gorgeous September seemed the right moment...
I was prepared for more people than a visit to Idaho's backcountry, and resolved to enjoy what the park had to offer. There were a fair number of people there, but the place has enough wonder to spare.
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BeeThis bee was still alive, but very sluggish, in the cool mist on our arrival in Yosemite. It was at a picnic spot, just off the road to the Mariposa grove of giant Sequoias. The background is the somewhat charred and weathered wood of the picnic table. The macro feature of this Nikon Coolpix950 is very nice. |
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Charred PineThis was at our first stop, on the way to Mariposa grove, near the sluggish bee. The color and variety in this burned out section of a still-living pine caught my eye. That sawdust sprinkled on top of some of the ridges must be from carpenter ants or bees, or some other burrowing insects. |
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Under Stump, Mariposa GroveThere were lots of people with cameras, everywhere, and lots of friendly exchanges of "would you take our picture together?" This was done with the camera's self-timer, though, which got it right on my very first try. Sort of anti-social, though; and a human wouldn't have put the nearby fence post in the scene. |
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Charred TreesIn the Mariposa Grove of Yosemite, evidence of a recent fire, and the growth following it. |
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Grizzly GiantThe "Grizzly Giant" in the Mariposa Grove. The trail rounds a corner, and confronts you with a magnificent view of this monstrous tree, no less stunning on a foggy, misty day. How big is it? That little purple spot down on the ground is 5'8" tall Jeanette, maybe a third of the way toward me from the tree. |
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Tom von Alten tva_∂t_fortboise_⋅_org
