Morning reflections, dogwood and the Merced River, Yosemite NP, CA, USA
We had a nice spring storm on Friday. Here in Mariposa we heard some loud thunder, and experienced a torrential downpour for about ten minutes. We got about half and inch of rain altogether, but Yosemite Valley got an inch and a third, which is a big total for April. Snow fell on the rim of the valley, and the Glacier Point Road, which had opened on Tuesday, was closed again temporarily.
The storm cleared after sunset on Friday, and Claudia and I drove up to Yosemite Valley early on Saturday morning, hoping for mist. There wasn’t much mist, but we found some dogwoods in a small patch of fog near the base of Middle Cathedral Rock, which kept me busy for awhile. Later, as the sun started to reach down into the valley, I photographed more dogwoods against the background of the Merced River, with golden reflections in the water.
As you can probably tell by the photographs, the dogwoods are in good shape right now. The blossoms on a few of the earliest-blooming trees are starting to look a bit ragged, and some others still have those new, greenish blossoms. But most of the dogwoods are in full bloom and still fresh-looking. We’ve entered a stretch of cooler weather, with showers in the forecast today and tomorrow, and again from Wednesday through Friday, so the lower temperatures should help keep the dogwoods fresh for another week.
The waterfalls are roaring, the deciduous trees have those new, bright, fresh, green leaves, the dogwoods are blooming, and showers are moving through. In other words, the park is beautiful right now.
— Michael Frye
Dogwood, forest, and fog, Yosemite, Saturday morning
Dogwoods and the Merced River at sunrise, Saturday morning
Dogwood and reflections in the Merced River, Saturday morning
Related Posts: First Signs of Dogwoods; A Good Year for Dogwoods
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Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author or principal photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, Yosemite Meditations for Women, Yosemite Meditations for Adventurers, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters. He has also written three eBooks: Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom, Exposure for Outdoor Photography, and Landscapes in Lightroom: The Essential Step-by-Step Guide. Michael 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.
Beautiful, Michael! This is one the time of year when I find it frustrating living on the east side. Sure would like to see those big waterfalls and spring green right now!
Yes, we need to work on that teleportation system over the mountains. Thanks Jackson!
Those are beautiful Michael. I especially love the first one. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks John!
Michael,
Once agin, gorgeous photographs. You continue to demonstrate you skill as a professional. My only regret is that your Yosemite and Eastern Sierra workshops continue to remain full. Is there any chance that this may change? Or must one wait another year?
Cheers,
Alyn
Thanks Alyn. Cancellations are frequent, but I have no control over whether people cancel, or whether people ahead of you on the waiting list will grab any empty spots or not.
Michael,
Thanks for your response. It’s helpful.
Cheers,
Alyn
Thank you for your photos and information. I’m a new subscriber but I have admired your work and Yosemite for many years. I’m heading to the park Wednesday and Thursday and was worried about taking chain – from what you reported it doesn’t look like I’ll need them in the valley.
From what I can see in the forecast I don’t expect snow in the valley, so as long as you take Highway 140 you should be fine.