"Nature's Firefall" an Amazing Rarity Captured at Yosemite National Park on Film

Cody Kraatz of the Sunnyvale Sun has reported that John Harrison, an amateur photographer, has won the Aperture Nature Photography Workshop at Yosemite National Park held in December. However, why would a photograph make big news even if it represented a major park like Yosemite?

As Kraatz goes on to say in his MercuryNews.com article "Sunnyvale photographer shoots a rare moment at Yosemite," Harrison got a shot of an amazing rarity.

In the picture Horsetail Falls is seen falling down El Capitan. What makes it different is that the sun is hitting the water in such a way that it looks like flowing fire.

So, what has to happen for this effect to occur?

It must be clear; the sun has to be at the right angle and, the hardest part is that there has to be enough snowfall to create cascading water when it melts-it doesn't occur in the summers when most people visit Yosemite.

Harrison titled his winning photo "Nature's Firefall." He is not new at this.

Harrison has been taking photos of nature for several years after he and his family started camping and he was zealous about taking pictures of his children.

He has opened an exhibit at Rok Bistro, 124 South Murphy Avenue in downtown Sunnyvale. Some of his pictures go for as much as $1,000.

Yosemite National Park is one of the first "wilderness parks." That means it does not have development-it is left alone. A full 95% of the park is that way and yet there are many beautiful things to see in the way of nature.

Yosemite national park, located Southeast of Oakland and Sacramento, has special programs for children as well as interactive websites where questions can be answered. Further, teachers are given assistance if they wish to bring a class to the park.

Mr. Harrison will get no challenge from me. I stand in awe of anyone who can take pictures. As he did, I too was intrigued by my children and nature. Unfortunately my fingers seemed to be intrigued by the lens so that I never got a picture right.

Harrison donates 10% of his earnings to Sunnyvale Community Services. This is a local emergency assistance group that is nonprofit.

I would be happy to donate as well but I don't have any winnings.

References:

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11408416

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wroads.htm

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/driving.htm