View allAll Photos Tagged MercedRiver
I slept through a burner of a sunrise this morning, so to sooth my jealousy and self-loathing I did a little archive diving back to November 2010.
Residents and visitors to Central and Northern California’s foothill regions are treated each spring to the incomparable lavender-pink show of the western redbud bloom. The Merced River Canyon below the entrance to Yosemite National Park is currently in full bloom. The BLM maintains a hiking/biking trail on the bed of the old Yosemite Valley Railroad in Briceburg for hikers. The grade is fairly level and hugs the north bank of the Merced Wild and Scenic River. A number of beautiful campsites are also available along the river. Boaters who are willing to brave the icy snow melt water from the Sierra can enjoy a world class whitewater run through the canyon.
Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.
As seen from "Valley View", the sun on Monday evening sets on El Capitan as the fog starts to build up in the Yosemite Valley.
© 2014, John Krzesinski.
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Those that know me well, know I LOVE taking photos of trees. And what better place to photograph trees than at Yosemite National Park, particularly during a wet, snowy winter morning. I think this series of photos came out like a pencil sketch or an infrared photo, or something....anyway, I thought it looked really cool.
As early morning mists rise to reveal the Autumn colors, the last of the previous Winter's snow escapes to the thirsty valley below.
The Merced River, in central California, is a 145-mile-long tributary of the San Joaquin River flowing from the Sierra Nevada into the Central Valley. It is most well known for its swift and steep course through the southern part of Yosemite National Park, and the world-famous Yosemite Valley. The river's character changes dramatically once it reaches the foothills and the lowlands, becoming a slow-moving waterway meandering through irrigated fields.
When tectonic activity first led to the uplift of the Sierra, the river formed as a steep stream eroding into the range's western flank, carrying sediments that would later help form the floor of the Central Valley. A rich riparian zone around the Merced once supported millions of migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway, and the river had one of the southernmost runs of salmon in North America. Indigenous people, including the Miwok and Paiute tribes, lived along the river for thousands of years, thriving on the bountiful flora and fauna supported by the river and its diverse lower course, aided by fertile soils eroded from the mountains.
Military expeditions sent by the government of Mexico which then held sovereignty over Alta California passed through the Merced River region in the early 19th century. Later settlers were predominantly American, who discovered gold in the Sierra Nevada, leading to the establishment of a railroad along the river, bringing minerals and lumber to towns that had been established on the lower Merced, and helping increase tourism to the future national park area. Conflicts between whites and indigenous peoples prompted wars, resulting in the expulsion of the Ahwahnechee tribe from Yosemite Valley. In the 20th century, the river saw further development that would change its state forever.
Large-scale irrigated agriculture was introduced to the Central Valley in the late 19th century, and led to the construction of numerous state, federal and privately owned dams. Water demand has often been higher than the river's environment can sustain. Salmon have been blocked from migrating and riverside habitat has declined dramatically. Recent years have seen habitat conservation work, mimicking of historic streamflow patterns, and the establishment of a salmon hatchery, in the hopes that the river's health can be protected from further damage.
© 2010 John O'Connor. All Rights Reserved.
Available for licensing and purchase as a limited edition fine art print.
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Late afternoon reflections from Swinging bridge, Yosemite CA
Well, to tell you the truth the reflections were exploding with color. But I was checking the values in BW and loved how it looked.
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Summer sunset reflections, Merced River, Yosemite Valley, California 2010
© 2010 John O'Connor. All Rights Reserved.
Available for licensing and purchase as a limited edition fine art print.
Blog - www.meditationsonamoment.com
Site - www.johnoconnorphoto.com
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This photograph is not in the public domain. It may not be used on websites, blogs, or in any other media without explicit advance permission from John O'Connor.
Please no graphics in your comments or invites. Thank you!
In the Flow: Alder and Merced River, Yosemite National Park
This image was made during a free moment while teaching my Spring Yosemite Digital Camera Workshop for The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite. The alder tree growing out of the flowing Merced River was an irresistible subject!
I lead group and private workshops in Yosemite through The Ansel Adams Gallery. My blog features a weekly photo critique that you can submit images for. Follow the links on my web site for more information.
The river's just below flood stage this time of year. Spring is awesome!
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The blues here are not as vibrant as the previous photo, probably because my polarizer wasn't re-adjusted. It's about 20F (-7C) and I've lost one of my gloves.
Dogwood blooms along the banks of the mighty Merced River in Yosemite National Park. Signs of spring abound throughout the valley and the Merced is experiencing ample waterflow this season.
looking at the water that came directly off the Upper Falls. viewpoint is from the Falls Bridge. eventually i believe this water joins up with the Merced River.
This is a reflection of El Capitan in the Merced River. Getting this lighting made waking up at 4:30 AM to get to the valley floor a less painful.
I flipped the reflection for a slighly different perspective.
From its source on the south side of Mount Lyell at 13,114 feet, the river flows downstream to Lake McClure Reservoir through a glacially carved canyon within Yosemite National Park. Of the total river length of 79 miles, 71are protected with wild and scenic river designation. The Merced, including the South Fork, flows through exceptional scenery—glaciated peaks, lakes and alpine and subalpine meadows—in alternating pools and cascades. Wildflower displays are spectacular. The South Fork possesses one of the few remaining pristine Sierra Nevada fisheries with self-sustaining populations of rainbow, eastern brook and brown trout. Archeology and wildlife are also noteworthy.
Outstanding whitewater rafting, camping and hiking opportunities contribute to the Merced’s outstandingly remarkable recreation, made special against uniquely dramatic, picturesque backdrops or wilderness, high granite cliffs and towering waterfalls.
Photo by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management