Rainbow, Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls, December 13th 2010

Rainbow, Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls, December 13th 2010

Clouds obscured the eclipse here last night, but I’m hoping that some of you had better luck. Let me know in the comments if you managed to capture eclipse photographs, and please post links to images!

Meanwhile, Yosemite Valley received over eight inches of rain since Friday morning, and then rain turned to snow last night. The water is exceptionally high—more like April than December. Yosemite Falls is roaring, and the meadows are full of reflecting ponds.

All this water, combined with the snowy landscape and beautiful winter light, has created some exceptional photo opportunities. I made the accompanying photograph on December 13th, before most of the rain, so the flow is even higher now. Winter is the only time Yosemite Falls gets really good light, as the sun strikes the upper fall soon after it rises. From Cook’s Meadow near Sentinel Bridge you can see a rainbow on the upper fall as soon as the sun reaches it in the morning. So if you can tear yourself away from all the holiday activities this is a great time to photograph Yosemite Valley.