February light on Bridalveil Fall from near Turtleback Dome
First, I’m going to have a big announcement later this week—stay tuned!
Next, I’ve been getting lots of questions about Horsetail Fall. Since my last post about this not much has changed; there is little water in Horsetail right now. There’s snow in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow, so that should help, but they’re only predicting 6-8 inches, and I don’t know whether that will be enough to make a significant difference. If the weather warms immediately afterward and melts some of that new snow the water volume could get a bump, but it’s likely to be short-lived.
But there are other things to photograph in Yosemite in February. That storm is predicted to be a cold one, which means fresh snow in Yosemite Valley. And when the storm ends we could see some nice clearing storm conditions.
Even without snow and mist there are always things to photograph. Yosemite Falls is flowing fairly well, and gets nice early sunlight throughout the month. You may still be able to see a rainbow on the upper fall when the sun first hits it in the morning from the very eastern end of Cook’s Meadow, near Yosemite Village, or the Ahwahnee Meadow.
As we get closer to the spring equinox Cathedral Rocks and Bridalveil Fall get more afternoon sunlight. This means that late-day photographs from Valley View (aka Gates of the Valley) and Tunnel View have better balance than at other times of year—the sun hits both El Capitan on the left and Cathedral Rocks on the right.
And of course there are always interesting details to photograph, like ice and reflections along the Merced River. So if you make a trip to photograph Horsetail Fall and find there’s not enough water, don’t despair. It’s still Yosemite!
Naturally all the details about the best light in February, and throughout the year, can be found in my book and iPhone/iPad app versions of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite.
—Michael Frye
Related Posts: The Best Time to Photograph Horsetail Fall, Revised; The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite iPhone App is Available Today!
Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author and photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters, plus the eBook Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom. He has written numerous magazine articles on the art and technique of photography, and his images have been published in over thirty countries around the world. Michael has lived either in or near Yosemite National Park since 1983, currently residing just outside the park in Mariposa, California.
There was a nice rainbow this morning on the falls. I regret not shooting it, since there probably won’t be much sun the next few mornings.
Joe, thanks for ltteing me know about the rainbow. Where did you see it from?
It was from Southside Drive, I think. I was coming back from the valley view lookout, and it was shortly before I turned around to get back to Yosemite Lodge. I’m still not entirely sure where everything is, I have no sense of direction and this is my first time here.
Sounds like the eastern end of Cook’s Meadow. Thanks!
Michael – I did a little reconnaisance the other day to assess the conditions vis-a-vis the upcoming Horsetail Fall “Fire Fall” conditions and filed this report with accompanying photo:
Link: http://www.magicallightphotography.com/gallery/v/Yosemite/_DSC1640+Magical+Light+web.jpg.html
My wife and I still think of the wonderful experience of getting snowed in for several days during your January 2010 seminar!
Thanks for the report Chuck. I wouldn’t say Horsetail is dry as a bone. Last time I was there I saw some flow, though it’s certainly below average. With low water like that the fall can almost disappear if a breeze blows it around, but it can seem to magically reappear with the right light late in the day.
Glad you still have good memories of the workshop. It was a memorable week!
I really like your first hand up-dates on Yosemite, Michael! I´ve been there for a couple of days at Christmas 1992, during a 6 1/2 months North America Tour and I still feel somekind of connected to this area….
By the way – Happy Birthday to you!
Cheers from Bavaria! Werner
Thanks Werner! I’m glad you still connected to Yosemite. And thanks for the birthday wishes.
Michael
Thanks of posting these updates! And Happy Birthday!
Looking forward to my workshop on the 24th (Also my birthday. February is a pretty fantastic month, right?)
-John
You’re welcome John, and thanks! Yes, February is a great month – photographically that is. 🙂
Great blog Michael! I will be in Yosemite 2/17-2/20 and am keeping my finders crossed that there will be a little something spectacular at Horsetail Falls… if not, there is no place on earth like Yosemite and I will enjoy every minute of it… Looking forward to your updates and I also purchased your iphone app! Great work!!
Thank you Leasha! Hope you have a great time in the park.
Happy Birthday Michael!
I was going to go for the Horsetail Firefall this year, but decided against it.
I’m sticking to my usual week prior to Memorial Day, because I love ROARING waterfalls, which we don’t have in Florida ;-(
The Turtleback Dome webcam does look promising, but it may be too little, too late.
Wishing the best for everyone going, as it must get quite cold setting up, and waiting in the Meadows, to get the best shots.
Looking forward to seeing your photos from this year’s Firefall!
BTW … For the past 2 days, it has been colder here in North Florida, than in Yosemite Valley.
So glad we are going back to normal February weather starting tomorrow.
Paolo – Jacksonville, FL
Thanks Paolo! I hope we do indeed have roaring waterfalls in May in Yosemite this year. We need some more snow. And I am also glad that the weather is returning to normal both here and in Florida. 🙂
Thanks for the update Michael! I’m be heading to Yosemite for the first time the 16th-21st and I’m really looking forward to it no matter the conditions. I planned the trip around horsetail falls but I’m sure I’ll find amazing pictures whether it’s flowing or not. I like the view from Turtleback and I’ll have to add it to my list of locations, you should add it to your iPad/iPhone app (which is great by the way).
You’re welcome Jason, and I hope you have a great time on your first visit to Yosemite. The Turtleback Dome spot is not one I could put in the book or app, as it’s a slightly hazardous location. You have to climb over a rock wall, then down a sloping rock slab (very slippery when wet), and the spot where I made this image is near the top of a 1500 foot cliff! So go at your own risk, and skip it if it’s wet.
There is simply no way that the lack of snow could make Yosemite any less spectacular. The photos that you’ve shared with us through this unusual winter have proved that Michael. It’s been the same for most of the country this winter. We visited our beloved White Mountains (New Hampshire, not CA) the last two weekends and although the usual snow is similarly missing there are still many winter wonders to be found. Nature provides her glory every day – we just need to look for it. Clearly that is one of your greatest talents (as shown by the image at the start of this post). Thanks for continuing to share this glory with us. Oh, and we’ll keep praying for snow…
Mark, thanks very much for all the kind words. I really appreciate that. Indeed there is beauty everywhere – it’s up to us to open our eyes and see it.