Bridalveil Falls in the Fog
I have wanted to drive up to Yosemite after a big storm all season. Between the one-car-family, kids and other commitments, getting everything inline is a tough thing to do. I was watching the weather last week and it looked like another storm was brewing and it looked like it would clear Friday/Saturday.
On Friday, the rain was still a factor, so I thought I’d try my luck on Saturday. Saturday was clear, but it looked like it could still rain/storm. My kids had a event that I wanted to see that morning and thought if the skies looked promising after the event, I’d take a drive that afternoon.
The skies held, so after I quickly changed into warmer clothes, made some lunch and filled up the van with gas and camera stuff and headed to Yosemite.
Got to Yosemite at 4pm and made a bee-lone to Tunnel View to check out the conditions. It was pretty foggy there. All I could see was Bridalveil Falls. Couldn’t see El Capitan or Half Dome. Took a few pictures and decided to go down to the valley and see what I could see. Stopped at a few locations, but the fog really started to drop even lower. Thought I’d drive back up to Tunnel View and just “camp out” and take my chances.
I had the whole place to myself, I guess because nothing was visible. Had a few more photographers show up and within a half hour I could see parts of Bridalveil Falls. Nothing spectacular yet so I chatted with a few people. We started seeing some bright light in a few spots and I thought I’d better shoot now because in an instant, it could be gone. Sure enough, within a minute it was gone.
Mike Matenkosky
Mike is a Central Valley California landscape and nature photographer whose favorite locations include the Merced National Wildlife Refuge, Yosemite and the eastern Sierra. He is currently living in Atwater, CA.
The text and photographs are © Copyright Mike Matenkosky (or others when indicated) and are not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from Mike Matenkosky.
Mike . . . nice misty shot! Don’t know if you realize it, but a specific section of the American Falls at Niagara Falls is also called “Bridal Veil Falls”.
Not surprised, I think there are several “Bridalveil Falls” or “Bridal Veil Falls” around the world.
Thanks for the comment, Gordie!