Yosemite waterfall turns to 'flowing lava' in rare February spectacle

[n2doc]

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Last updated at 7:13 PM on 19th February 2012
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A window of time just opened in Yosemite National Park when nature photographers wait, as if for an eclipse, until the moment when the sun and earth align to create a fleeting phenomenon.
This marvel of celestial configuration happens in a flash at sunset in mid-February — if the winter weather cooperates.
On those days the setting sun illuminates one of the park's lesser-known waterfalls so precisely that it resembles molten lava as it flows over the sheer granite face of the imposing El Capitan.


Every year growing numbers of photographers converge on the park, their necks craned toward the ephemeral Horsetail Fall, hoping the sky will be clear so they can duplicate the spectacle first recorded in color in 1973 by the late renowned outdoors photographer Galen Rowell.
'Horsetail is so uniquely situated that I don't know of any other waterfall on earth that gets that kind of light,' said Michael Frye, who wrote the book 'The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2103408/Yosemite-waterfall-turns-flowing-lava-rare-February-spectacle-caught-camera.html

[lob1]

1. Wow! Those are great shots.

[Louisiana1976]

2. Cool!

[Mz Pip]

3. We're going there on Sunday

We'll stay 3 nights. Maybe we'll get lucky and see this if it's not too late.

I'm bringing 2 cameras just in case.

[Lucky Luciano]

4. Amazing!!! Rec!

[wiggs]

5. I've been there in early March to see it! Horsetail falls only

exists for a couple of weeks in early spring, we were told. And you get the light through it only as the sun is dropping down in late afternoon. A real treat.