The Ahwahneechee tribe believed that Bridalveil Fall (Yosemite National Park) was home to a vengeful spirit named Pohono who guarded the entrance to the valley and that those leaving the valley must not look directly into the waterfall lest they be cursed. They also believed that inhaling the mist of Bridalveil Fall would improve one’s chances of marriage.
Bridalveil Fall Yosemite
Bridalveil Close Up
Bridalveil Fall is one of the most prominent waterfalls in the Yosemite Valley in California, seen yearly by millions of visitors to Yosemite National Park. The waterfall is 188 meters (617 ft) in height and flows year round.
Bridal Veil Falls
Beautiful clouds in a blue sky over Yosemite Valley ….
Clouds over Yosemite Valley
A closer view of Half Dome framed by granite mountains in Yosemite National Park
Framed by Mountains
Back to a series of images from United States. One of the most recognized natural landscape images – entrance to the valley in Yosemite National Park in California. The iconic Half Dome sandwiched between El Capitan on the left and Bridalveil Fall on the right.
Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, lakes, mountains, glaciers, and biological diversity. Almost 95% of the park is designated wilderness.
The name “Yosemite” (meaning “killer” in Miwok) originally referred to the name of a renegade tribe which was driven out of the area (and possibly annihilated) by the Mariposa Battalion. Before then the area was called “Ahwahnee” (“big mouth”) by indigenous people.
Yosemite Valley Entrance
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 56,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 21 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
A Majestic Valley in Yosemite
The view from the entrance to Yosemite Valley with views of El Capitan and Half Dome
It has been just about one year since I started this blog. It is a lot of fun and I have shared images from all over the world with you and received many comments. I am grateful that since inception the following milestones were reached:
None of this would be possible without your support and encouragement. I am very thankful to all of you and hope that you will continue to enjoy my images and provide comments.
With deep gratitude,
Ravi
Eye of the Elephant
Yosemite Shadows
The sun and clouds create interesting shadows in the Yosemite Valley
The crystal clear water of Merced River in Yosemite offers reflections of winter images and exposes rocks in the river
Half Dome at Yosemite is exposed to the snow but looks rugged and striking
The Merced River navigates its way through frozen snowbanks at Yosemite National Park
The serenity of winter is in full display at Yosemite National Park
The cold forms icicles in the somewhat melting snow adding to the winter beauty of Yosemite
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls with running water but mounds of snow at the base create a unique winter scene
The snow caps the mountains and domes of Yosemite National Park creating a wonderful scene
Winter images of Yosemite are breath-taking. Here is the window into images of Yosemite in winter. Will post this week digital images converted from b&w film.
The warm rays of the setting sun bask Half Dome (Yosemite National Park, CA) with an eye-pleasing contrast with the shaded areas
Reflections of Half Dome at Yosemite National Park in winter create a serene scene
A rapidly flowing Merced River (Yosemite National Park, California) under the trees and over a bridge creates a soothing environment