Category Archives: Yosemite National Park

Steller’s Jay

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Heather Dugan
Posted in Wildlife, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park Tagged , , , ,

Steller's Jay 1

Steller's Jay [ 0:52 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Steller’s Jay isn’t just another pretty face.  It’s rather intelligent, can be quite persistent and has decent “people skills” for a bird. An opportunist who frequents campgrounds and picnic areas, one senses that this vividly colored bird generally gets what it wants with a disarming tilt of the head and graceful hop across the forest floor.  And that it might be the life of any rollicking forest party with its repertoire of animal mimicry that includes dogs, chickens and squirrels.

steller's jay2

First spotted on an Alaskan island by Georg Steller in 1741, the birds are common in the evergreen forests of the Pacific Northwest with a range that extends from Alaska to Mexico.  This little guy had a prime perch at the top of Yosemite National Park’s Vernal Falls where the occasional weary hiker might drop a bit of trail mix for it to enjoy.

Updated from September 3, 2009.
 
More album photos: Heather Dugan Creative on Facebook
 

Yosemite National Park Things To Do

13 Comments

Emerald Pool at Vernal Fall

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Heather Dugan
Posted in Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park Tagged , , , ,

After a steady drenching climb up slick rocks to the top of Vernal Fall, we took a couple of minutes to sit on a log, take in the view and munch on some trail mix.  An engaging little Steller’s Jay hopped around hoping a bit of fruit would miss the journey from hand to mouth.  His confidence suggested he’d had decent success with the carry-out menu there before.

An unassuming, steady stream slipped by and then abruptly vanished over slicked rock.  Peering over the edge, we watched the water plummet  317 feet in a free fall that gathered in momentum and power with each fraction of motion.

A short walk further upstream brought us to a cooled oasis of calm, the Emerald Pool.  It’s a tempting swimming hole lined with ponderosa pines and surrounded by smooth white rocks that grow into cliff ledges, but it has a swift and surprising current beneath its placid surface.

The Silver Apron, a small fall spilling into the east of the Pool sprayed a frothy white water that made the green of the Emerald shine even greener in the sunlight.

Updated from March 25, 2010.

Yosemite National Park Things To Do

7 Comments

Vernal Fall at Yosemite National Park

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Heather Dugan
Posted in Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park Tagged , , , , ,

A springtime thaw adds drama to the already majestic at Yosemite National Park.  Massive angular peaks and endless green valleys easily absorb your entire focus.  You are fully impressed.  Until you hear the roar of a waterfall and find there is even more.

At first it’s merely a distant sound.  As you make your approach, it grows into a throbbing beneath your feet as air and ground vibrate the steady staccato of falling water. When sight finally meets sound, the water flow seems endless. Gushing torrents jet skyward upon impact into a dense billowing mist.

 

At 317 feet Vernal Falls is rather short compared to towering Yosmite Falls (2420 feet) and Bridalveil (670 feet), but it packs the power of a heavy lifter, tossing down a river of water that explodes over boulders in its race to the Merced River below.

The trail to Vernal Falls begins as an uphill walk that feels more and more like a climb.  The steady upward grade works the leg muscles well and will provide a good cardio workout if you push your speed even moderately.  The viewing bridge provides both a tantalizing glimpse of the thundering fall and perspective as one views the tumbling water spilling away toward the valley below.

From here, it becomes a wet walk and a strenuous hike.  Sheer drop-offs near the Fall make it best to leave one’s imagination paused and the mind fully focused.  We waded through icy puddles of water as the drenching mist engulfed us.  The climb up was slippery over uneven boulders and big block steps.  The soaking drizzle was frigid enough to add some speed to our ascent.

The rampant power of  Vernal Fall’s surging waters endowed it with a seeming permanence, making it hard to picture the upcoming dry season.  Yet another paradox was the utter stillness that awaited us at the top.

Updated from March 22, 2010.

Next: The Emerald Pool

Yosemite National Park Things To Do

7 Comments
Page 2 of 612345...Last »

All the Adventures!