YosemiteBlog.com

If you’ve never been to Yosemite in February you’ve missed one of the greatest migratory events in recent history. The flocking of the photographers. Every year the photographers migrate in from their winter nesting grounds for 2 weeks to preen themselves and take pictures of Horsetail Fall in the setting light of the winter Sun. This year I attended the annual migration and was amazed at the mass of photographers filling every nook and cranny where you could see El Capitan. Let me tell you, monarch butterflies and swallows at Capistrano have nothing on these guys. Here’s a short video clip I captured of Horsetail at this years meetup. If you look close you can see a second waterfall about 100 yards from the main fall. Best viewed in HD on Youtube.

The first Photo of the Day in a long time comes to us from Robin Black who took this beautiful black and white of Yosemite Creek and an ancient evergreen at the base of Lower Yosemite Falls. The tones are great in the photo and the composition is very nice. It’s one of those photos that the longer you stare at it the more interesting it gets.

Hey if you like Robin’s photo be sure to head over to her photoblog and check out some of her other awesome photos. You can find her at californiaandbeyond.wordpress.com

Nice job, Robin.

Photo by Robin Black.

Watch for frequent sightings of bald eagles along Merced River (Hwy. 140). Did you know: It takes four years for bird to develop white head. @YosemiteScience.

While not necessarily an invasive species, this photo shows the damage that bugs can do to trees in Yosemite. Photo by Letsgetridofny.

@YosemiteScience posted a link to this interesting page I hadn’t seen before. Yosemite National Park Service officials are asking that you don’t bring your own firewood into the park. Why? Because it can bring invasive bugs and diseases that could cause great damage to Yosemite’s fragile ecosystem.

What Is Yosemite National Park Doing about Forest Pests?

It is much easier to prevent the introduction of a forest pest than it is to control an infestation after it has been introduced. Early detection is also important in managing a spread. Park managers are conducting aerial surveys, monitoring traps and forest health, identifying potential for introduction of non-native insects and diseases, and educating the public in order to prevent any introductions from occurring.

How Can Visitors Help Prevent the Spread of Forest Pests?

Don’t transport firewood outside a 50-mile radius of location of procurement: Forest pests don’t stop at the park border, and they can cause serious problems when they spread to wild areas. Use local firewood, leave unused wood behind when you go home, and burn firewood where you bought it.
Don’t bring outside plant materials into the park: It might seem attractive to brighten your campsite with a supermarket azalea, or, if you live in the park, to plant a row of rhododendrons from a nursery in front of your cabin. Plants from outside nurseries can bring new insects and diseases into Yosemite.

How Can Visitors Properly Obtain Wood in the Park?

It’s permitted to gather downed wood in the park for personal use. It’s prohibited, however, to gather wood in certain areas: in Yosemite Valley, in Sequoia groves, and above 9,600-feet elevation. (Note: Downed wood gathered in park areas outside the prohibited areas is allowed to be brought into the Valley as firewood.) Wood may also be available for sale by the park concessioner.(NPS)

For more information on invasive species check out the Yosemite Nature Science Forest Pests page.

Beautiful wildflowers in Yosemite. Photo by Michelle H.

It’s March and you know what that means, wildflowers! It looks like it’s going to be another spectacular show this year in the Merced Canyon as recent rains have really greened up the hills and given the flowers plenty of water. If you’ve never been to Yosemite in the spring to see the wildflowers take a look at this great video from Yosemite Nature Notes.

Don’t forget if you’re planning on seeing the wildflowers they start at the lower elevations and make their way up as temperatures rise. Right now it’s best along the Merced River between Briceburg and El Portal. Those of you coming into the park via 120 or 41 can either detour down 49 to Mariposa and then into the park on 140 or leave the park on 140 to Mariposa if you want to see the flowers. Your park entrance fee is good for 7 days so if you decide to leave and reenter you shouldn’t be charged again.

The iconic Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite National Park is staying put at least for another 10 years. Photo by Nicola Corboy.

Many people don’t realize that all the business operating within the park must obtain a concessionaires contract and that contracts may expire. This is even true of the iconic Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Village. Fortunately the Gallery isn’t going anywhere for a long while.

Best’s Studio, Inc. doing business as The Ansel Adams Gallery® in Yosemite National Park, was the awarded a new 10-year concession contract that became effective March 1, 2010. The Ansel Adams Gallery® has been operating in the park since 1902, making them the oldest, family owned and operated concessioner in the National Park Service. The Ansel Adams Gallery® is a photographic and art business with an emphasis on Ansel Adams and the history of art and photography in Yosemite.

In addition to selling Ansel Adams photography, the gallery also rents photographic equipment, sells photographic and art supplies, park related publications, and authentic American Indian handicrafts. The gallery also provides instruction in photographic and artistic methods and complementary visitor education programs. (NPS)

I think one of the hottest but overlooked stories of last year was the merging of 2 of the major organizations responsible for helping out around Yosemite, the Yosemite Fund and the Yosemite Association.

For those of you not familiar with them, the Yosemite Fund is the organization responsible for providing the funding for the rehabilitation of the Tunnel View Overlook, Olmsted Point Overlook and the Yosemite Falls Trail. The Yosemite Association has long been known for it’s great publications and educational materials and for the wonderful webcams we all love.

The is be completed in mid-2010 with former Yosemite Superintendent Mike Tollefson taking the helm of the new organization. After the merger Yosemite Association programs including hikes and books are expected to continue but funds from books will now join the funds from private contributors to complete some bigger and more auspicious community projects within the park planned by the Yosemite Fund.

Unfortunately Yosemite Association members will no longer select the trustess for their organization.

The new integrated Council will have responsibility for electing the board of trustees of the unified organization. The board of trustees will make decisions based on input from staff, members of the Council, supporters, the Park Service and other constituencies served by the unified organization. The expanded Council, board of trustees and committees will reflect the expanded purposes and functions of the unified organization.

For more information on the merger or to find out what other changes are taking place, visit the Yosemite Fund website Consolidation Q&A page.