First Light - Jerry Gilligan's Photos

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Jerry Gilligan > Silhouette Tree Yosemite National Park

Jerry Gilligan > Dogwood Blossoms in Yosemite

I was able to isolate these blossoms with a telephoto lens as the sun bathed them in soft light.

Jerry Gilligan > Dogwood Blossoms and Bark

Jerry Gilligan > Dogwood and Granite

Jerry Gilligan > Flooded Meadow Swinging Bridge Upper Yosemite Fall.

Mid June with record snow melt runoff floods this meadow for this rare Upper Yosemite Falls Reflection opposite Leidig Meadow from Swinging Bridge Picnic Area...
Taken on June 15, 2011 at 6:37 am

Jerry Gilligan > Bridalveil Fall Yosemite National Park

Jerry Gilligan > Moonbow at Upper Yosemite Fall.

A moonbow (also known as a lunar rainbow) is a rainbow produced by light reflected off the surface of the moon rather than from direct sunlight. Many photographers ascend on Yosemite between April - July during a full moon to capture a moonbow either at the Upper Yosemite Fall, or at the Lower Yosemite Fall, Several factors are required to capture a Moonbow.
1. Bright Moonlight (nearly-full moon)
2. Moon risen above the south rim of the valley (so moonlight can strike Upper Yosemite Fall)
3. Sufficient mist and spray during snow melt runoff;
4. Clear skies.
5 Dark skies (Sun more than 9 degrees below the horizon)
6. Geometry (the angle between the "anti-lunar direction" [ observer's shadow cast by the moonlight] and the direction toward the base of the Upper Yosemite Fall must be near the "rainbow angle" of 42 degrees)
This image was made on June 14, 2011 at 10:47 pm
© Copyright Jerry Gilligan 2011 All Rights Reserved.

Jerry Gilligan > The Sun Rises over Half Dome and the famous Elm Tree in Cooks Meadow Yosemite National Park

Jerry Gilligan > First Light on the famous Elm Tree in Cooks Meadow

Jerry Gilligan > First Light on Half Dome and The Merced River

Jerry Gilligan > Half Dome From Olmsted Point

Jerry Gilligan > Last Light on Horsetail Fall

Located in Yosemite National Park.
This is a seasonal water fall that flows in winter and early spring. The fall occurs on the east side of El Capitan. There are a few days every February if the conditions are just right with high water flow and an absence of clouds. This waterfall is lit up by the last light from the setting sun. The mist will also enhance the color with a bright orange glow. In some years, more dramatic images have been made by increased water flow and some wind, Galen Rowell took an iconic image of this fall back in 1974.

The fall is best seen and photographed from a small clearing close to the picnic area on the north road leading out of Yosemite Valley east of El Capitan.

This was photographed on the south side from Cathedral Beach with at least 40 Photographers standing tripod to tripod trying to get the best composition...
If you look close you will see the water flowing at the top and an occasional glow around the mist. I keep going back to witness this special event each year.
© Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved

Jerry Gilligan > Quaking Aspen Fall along Tioga Rd.

High country waterfalls are usually only accessible by hiking to them. This one can be seen by driving to Olmsted Point.There is a pull out on each side of the road to stop and enjoy this one. This is a seasonal waterfall that I have seen flow through summer. High runoff this year has created many waterfalls close to the road and there were several close to this one without any place to turnoff...
After shooting this image I had an Immature Bald Eagle fly overhead ...This was the first Bald I have seen in Yosemite...What a great place!

First Light

Jerry Gilligan > First Light

First Light

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Keywords: yosemite sunrise el capitan bridalveil falls first light gates of the valley jerrygilligan.com

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