Deby Dixon's photostream  

I ended the month of May by staying in the valley until around midnight last night, shooting under the light of the moon and stars. This image was taken along the Merced River before the moon came around enough to light up Bridalveil Falls on the right.

Had the most fun out shooting and hiking yesterday. Saw a coyote, several deer and a wild bear (meaning no ear tags) and he was a beauty! I visited the Merced River twice, once in the late afternoon when I hiked through some thick forest to find a special spot and then after dark. Today I saw four bears, one coyote and no deer. I hiked to the top of Sentinal Dome, which is over 8100 feet high! Whew. Sentinal Dome is where Ansel Adams shot his Jeffery Pine, which is now dead from drought. The snarled up remains of the pine still sit on top of the dome and were quite spectacular in the evening light. Dropped by new 28-70 2.8 on a rock and it barely works and somehow chipped my new wide angle circular polarizer. Will it ever end! And now the internet places closes in three minutes.

Have a good night everyone, I hope that you enjoy this image.

Yesterday I hiked back up to Vernal Falls and climbed out onto a large boulder to get this shot. I had hoped for a rainbow across the falls but was contents with a glow of color from the base. I am so lucky to be here in Yosemite and to be able to take advantage of the hikes.

Had such a good time yesterday I had to write another blog post - check it out if you have time! And then today was better - coyotes, bears, deer, special light.... Sure am making the most of this place.

Blog link: wp.me/p1l4HY-f0

Yosemite Valley at sunset - taken from Tunnel View.

Life goes on in Yosemite. The crowds grow larger, the world greener, the skies are filling with cheerful and colorful birds, the waterfalls are less ravenous and the wildflowers continue to bloom. All seasonal employees have arrived and once they complete training, the park will be fully staffed - except for the positions that will not be filled for one reason or another. Procedures have continually changed but should remain static from here on out. Once I get everything straight and figured out, it will be time to go.

Immersing myself into the landscape has been a slow process but one that has kept me going. Long solo walks in the forests, observing things that I have never taken time to notice before. Sitting still and watching everything come alive has had its rewards. The quiet has given me peaceful respites, which give me the energy to move forward. It is not easy to deal with hundreds of campers every day and it is impossible to make them all happy but when I am hiking, no one, nothing, asks anything of me. This has been one of those experiences that can not be purchased for any amount of money. The rewards of volunteering, the pains of growing, the resolution of conflicts, allowing myself to be human and fallible and the ways in which I refill myself and move forward.

And every once in a while I take a photo that I like.

Because of lack of internet, I have once again posted multiple photos - take a look if you get a chance.

And, I have written a new blog post about being a camp host in Yosemite: wp.me/p1l4HY-eN

Enjoy and thank you!