Yesterday evening in Yosemite Valley

“

I knew it would get me back home late, but last evening I hiked up to Inspiration Point to get away from the throngs of nice people crowding at the Wawona Tunnel Overlook. The trail is pretty steep and quickly acquires elevation, so I huffed and puffed up the switchbacks and away from the sounds of voices and cars. It was so serene up there. The only sounds I could hear were the deep thundering roars of distant waterfalls. Waterfalls were all around in every direction I looked. Birds and waterfalls and a few skeeters. I stood here until it was dark, I just kept stelling myself, "one more minute and I'll leave, one more minute... okay, this time I'm serious, one more minute... one more minute" because it is so hard for me to leave this place.






This is a little later in the evening. The clouds weren't overly dramatic yesterday, and they never turned into burning red embers as they often do at sunset, but it was a sweet time to be there. I love it there. From up here there is no sign of anyone and I can imagine what it was like to be the first to lay eyes upon this greatest of cathedrals, as John Muir referred to Yosemite Valley.





This is a view with Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome from the same perspective. I should've brought a flashlight with me because the hike back down in the dark was pretty exciting. I took quite a few shots yesterday and I'll share a few more of the waterfalls later. I got home late last night and haven't uploaded many shots.

Hey Hikin Mike®, if you're reading this, did you get up to Glacier Point this weekend? I wasn't there in the morning and evening, but I was there around mid-afternoon yesterday.

P.S. I can't view any of these photos from work, they're all red-x's (I even had to copy red-x's and paste them here) so I don't know if they're showing up or not. Dang government computer sensorship.”

“They look great Buck.”

“They're up. Nice photos as alway Buck.”

“Absolutely Beautiful. I had to call my wife into my office to show her these pics. Thank you for posting them!”

“Nice pictures Buck! I made it up to Glacier Point that evening. Technically I got as far as the overlook by the snack shop. I was too tired to go the remaining 100 yards up to Glacier Point. I agree, it wasn't as dramatic as I had hoped, but it was Yosemite and it was nice just being there! Here's a few from Glacier Point...

Half Dome


Nevada Falls

last edited: 6/06/05 5:00:50 PM”

“Hikin Mike, I'm getting red X's.”

“incredible pictures-what a view-im jealous”

“Should be good now...”

“I hate you.”

“Wow,

Really Great pictures Buck!
Makes we want to get out my oil paints and paint a sunset... The colors must have been breathtaking in real life! No Wonder you didn't want to leave....

Haven't been to Yosemite yet... After seeing your pictures, it will definitely be on one of our trips in our tour of National Parks!
:-)”

“Thanks!

Very nicer Hiker Miker! Sunsets are always awesome in Yoskimity, but I think it was a litter sweeter on Sunday due to a few more clouds. From what I could tell from Inspiration Point, it looked like there were quite a few clouds over the Sierra crest if viewed from Glacier Point. Did you take that shot of Nevada Fall from Washburn Point? Sweet!


And some ppl believe there is no God - pakratz

Yosemite is the direct work of God's hand. I know, I accidently stepped on His finger last night. I'm just glad I wasn't wearing crampons.”

“I've prolly said this before Buckaroo, but you've outdone yourself with this series!

And YAAA for me, as I drool over these pics I remember I have permits (& time off) for a trip to Hetch Hetchy next weekend :)


Hope the water flows are still as high then, but I'm sure they will be.”

“Both shots were taken at the overlook in front of the Glacier Point snack/gift shop. I waited up there for almost three hours! It looks like you had a few more clouds on Sunday.

I like that view from Inspiration Point better than the Tunnel View. I just wish I could get up there!”

“Buck
Those are some of the best pictures of Yosemite I've ever seen. If you haven't already started selling them you should. They are that good.

Camera? Film? Lense? F stop? Filter?”

“Shutter speed on first one? About a second or so?”

“Great work capturing a beautiful piece of evolution, Buck.”

“Great work capturing a beautiful piece of evolution,

Wondering how a rock evolves?

Not looking to start a creation vs evolution debate...just an observation.
I will not be drawn into incessant postings regarding the beliefs of individuals, including my own, on the origins of earth or mankind.
last edited: 6/06/05 5:50:26 PM”

“If I ever I step on Darwin's hand, I will accidently make sure I am wearing crampons.

Hikin Mike, Inc.®, I can get you up to Inspiration Point. I carry full-sized grizzlies on my back while reintroducing them to the Yosemite backcountry. Shirley I can carry you.

solitary hiker.com®, thank you. The camera I used was the Canon 20D shot with a Canon 17-40mm (the wider angle ones anyway, the Half Dome one was with a Canon 70-200. I had a Moose Warming Circular Polarizer filter screwed on front and used a Galen Rowell/Singh-Ray 3-stop hard GND, which I handheld to the front of my lens. I shot this at f/22 and the shutter speed was approximately four mosquito bites. It was probably a second or two. I meant to take some shots with my Elan 7 and Velvia 50 but I was having so much fun with this camera that I forgot I had film with me.”

“A new TT classic:

"the shutter speed was approximately four mosquito bites"

Any Sierra hiker, and many others I'm sure, can relate!”

“Like pakratz, I too show my wife your pics (and your commentaries). It's the one thing we share anymore. Keep 'em coming Buck. I might just get lucky tonight. {you know what I'm talk'n 'bout}”

“Sorry Buck, my name isn't Shirley, but you can carry me anyways!”

“If I can help any of you score with your spouses, it's the least I can do. Thank you. Sarge, let us know how it goes.”

“Four mosquito bites? Hmmm.....so you're not using a tripod I guess? Taking notes...will use this technique but remember to pack DEET.”

“You guys SUCK! I had to work ALL DAY Saturday.

Nice photos :)”

“Buck ® - How's the Digi world working for you? Looks to me like you are adjusting very... very well.

Mike, how's the new pod?”

“I love the new tripod and head!! It's so nice to be able to lean on it and not worry about the legs collapsing! I did a pano up there and haven't finished stiching it together yet. I'll post it when I'm done.

I bet I was as tired as you were by the time I got home. Stacy had to take my shoes off because I could hardly move my legs!

When are we going out shooting again?”

“Beautiful Buck, as always.

Your images don't just capture a place, they capture an emotion.

Thanks.”

“Great photos, both of you.

We were chatting with a guy who has an art shop in Mariposa. He goes around photographing skies he likes, then pasting them into mountain shots he likes. What's with you, Buck? If you don't think the sky is right, just find another one. JKing. I thought it was a bit weird, but he was quite pleased with himself.”

“Purdy, purdy... thanks!!”

“One word...... WOW!”

“Beautiful shots Buck. I just made my plane reservations to go to Yosemite again. I will just have to stare at your photos to keep me happy until September.

Thanks for sharing.

R.J.”

“Gracias senors, senoras, and senoritas.

Sarge, how'd last night go?

Wind Walker Worldwide Systems, Inc.®, I really like the digital camera. I need to take Velvia comparison shots though, I keep forgetting. It sure is nice to not be spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on developing film. Instead I'm spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on memory and storage and batteries.

wanderer®, there's still lots of snow in the high HIGH country (as you know), so I suspect God won't be shutting off the flow valve to the waterfalls anytime soon. Hetch Hetchy should be wonderful. I'm not just saying that either, honest.

airri®, I'll speak with the Lord about it, but I doubt He will sustain the falls through September. Bridalveil will still be okay, but all the amazing seasonal falls will be gone and even Yosemite Falls will be a trickle, unless it won't be, then it will be okay. Nevada and Vernal will still be flowing to some degree though. But Yosemite in September is still wonderful. I don't care what Disneyland® claims... it's the happiest place on earth.


Here's another shot taken about 15 minutes before the other one. I know, it pretty much looks the same but there's more light on the tree tops and less red in the clouds. Other than that it is the same. Okay? Okay then. I'll post more photos 15 minutes apart from my whole trip as soon as I upload them. I wasn't able to upload any new ones last night because my wife made us go and get a new bed. No comments please.

”

“Buck,
Your photos are amazing! :-) I'm going to have to try out that Veivia film sometime, but like you, I've gotten really hooked on my digicam!

What kind of tripod do you carry? I have one, but it is incredibly heavy and bulky.. .wondering if you could recommend something light and sturdy? I have a couple of big lenses, so it has to be sturdy enough for the camera with the lens as well... (And, this may be asking too much, but I hope to find something REAsONABLE in price!)

Don't be like me, however, I filled up the hard drive on my desktop AND laptop computer... (Thinkbubelz keeps giving me hassle-- I need to burn my images to disk! LOL)

I do notice that some of the photos don't come out quite as saturated as the film versions of the same thing... :-) (I have a Nikon D100)”

“Sorry WindWalker, I have absolutely no sympathy for you.”

“wow/!

WOW!

WOW!!!!

awesome! makes me want to go to yosemite too! But i just got back from key West. no mountains down there. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/mtnmom2/48cac18b.jpg

good thing you put in that remark, Buck, about you and the wife cuz, well, never mind. AWESOME i can't wait until August, then my exams (CPA) will be totally over (I hope).

Thanks for sharing, Buck.”

“pinkbubelz, FYI, these weren't shot with Velvia, they are from my digital Canon 20D. As for tripods, I carry a Manfrotto 444D Carbon One, which isn't super cheap. As with anything else, light = expensive. But you could get a good aluminumumumumumumSTOPnumum tripod for much less. I like Bogen/Manfrotto or Gitzo, but any will do. If you're shooting with big lenses obviously your tripod will need to be heavier for your husband to carry. Ha! Kidding, I know you wear the pantz in the family.”

“Hubba hubba!

Hey Buck. If you're ever in PA, ... well ... bring your camera!

Thanks!”

“Buck.. the DSL charge is worth it just to see your pictures.. plus Windwalker, HikinMike, etc... Thanks!”

“Yo Buck® !

I saw your name sake in Sequoia today...

All fuzzy and warm.”

“Wind Walker - That's a Hansen. It's protected!

j/k”

“LOL!”

“Buck I bought an aluminum tripod, but it is so heavy that I dont' take it when backpacking (I only use my walking stick but that doesn't work as well with the larger lens...

LOL @ your comment about my hubby carrying my equipment.... I carry my own equipment, he ends up carrying the food and the tent and other heavy stuff... I figure it's not fair to have him carry my lenses since he's not the one using it!

:-)

BTW- the comment about Velvia had to do with the other gorgeous photos you've posted in the past...”

“No where near your magnificent pics Buc and Hikin Mike but I did get right under the falls last week and put my shots in "Pictures". Its great to live so close in CA.”

“I just bought a Manfrotto 3011 tripod and 488 head. Spent just about $200 for them both. To me that was fairly inexpensive for a quality tripod/head. I didn't want the plastic clip leg locks found on most low-end models. The whole set-up probably weighs about 7 lbs, so it isn't light either, but like Buck said you need weight for stability.

JVZ, those were some nice shots!

Here's another image from the weekend:
Vernal Fall from Glacier Point

last edited: 6/08/05 11:45:59 AM”

“Wow!

I wanna go back!!!

Geez, Vernal Fall sure is swollen up with water.”

“Great shots WW and HM!

Here's one of the Merced River from Valley View. It was taken in mid-afternoon so it's not sweet lighting or anything, but so. I had to wade in the river to get to this little exposed rocky bar and I set my camera so low that I couldn't see through the viewfinder. I used my leveling bubble on the tripod to make sure it was level and guessed on the composition. I only took one shot. Sometimes it's a burden being this good. <--- keeeeding, ha ha!






Here's a shot of El Cap and Half Dome in the evening. It's weird to think that earlier in the day I free-solo climbed the face of El Cap, upside down. Next time my goal: no hands. I'm just gonna put sticky stuff on the end of my nose.

”

“I see, there was no room for you in the parking lot, so you had to wade into the Merced River. ;)”

“Yes, I learned the drawbacks of buying a cheap tripod-- it broke on the first day I bought it!... So I took it back and got a sturdier one... :-)

I have never been to Yosemite-- your pictures are all breathtaking!”

“In your first Valley View photo, I love how you were able to get motion from the Merced River. And for such light, that's an amazing range of color as well.

Buck, that's simply incredible photography.”

“Is the road out to Glacier open now? It wasn't when I was there.”