Yosemite Firefall and Carolina Flowers Photography Trip Report

New Fine Art Pictures of Yosemite Firefall and Magnolia Plantation Flowers

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Yosemite National Park Photography
South Carolina Landscape Photography


In February, I headed to Yosemite National Park to photograph the phenomenon known as “Firefall”. For about a week in February, the setting sun lights up Horsetail Falls on El Capitan, resulting in a look of the falls being “on fire”.

Due to the California drought, it’s been about 6 years since there has been enough snow on top of the mountain to create enough snowmelt water for this to happen. Needless to say, there were some pretty big crowds to navigate. The result was well worth it!

A vertical view of the setting sun lighting up the waterfall called Firefall in bright orange color in Yosemite National Park
"Firefall" - Click Photo To Purchase


A full moon over Half Dome in winter in Yosemite National Park
"Yosemite Moonrise" - Click Photo To Purchase


In March, Jason and I headed up to the North Carolina Coast. Our first target was the trees in Lake Matamuskeet, North Carolina. Unfortunately, three days of skies that were either clear of any clouds or covered with solid heavy clouds. Either way, there was no sunrise photograph to be had, so we had to move on.

We headed down to Charleston to check to status of the spring lower bloom at Magnolia Plantation. The main targets were the long white bridge and the flowers under the oak trees. We were there last year, but it just wasn’t happening so we came away empty handed. This year, we were pleasantly surprised to see a rather healthy bloom and, over several days, captured exactly the images we were hoping for.

Pine and red flowers in front of the white footbridge in Magnolia Plantation, South Carolina
"Magnolia Flowers" - Click Photo To Purchase


Red and pink flowers in front of the white footbridge at Magnolia Plantation, South Carolina
"Spring Reflections" - Click Photo To Purchase


Red and pink Azalea flowers under oak tree limbs at Magnolia Plantation, South Carolina
"Azalea Splendor" - Click Photo To Purchase


Red and pink Azalea flowers under a sprawling Oak at Magnolia Plantation, South Carolina
"Spring Oak" - Click Photo To Purchase


A white footbridge reflecting perfectly in the water at Magnolia Plantation
"Serenity" - Click Photo To Purchase


So, two very different locations and two goals accomplished. Next up, I’ll be leaving mid-April to Oregon with Kelly. It will be my fourth trip to Oregon, but we’ll be working some areas we have not gone to before. Oregon is, obviously, a target rich environment.

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