Firefall

For a few weeks around Valentine's Day, Horsetail Falls in Yosemite National Park turns itself into a natural firefall as a result of the setting sun reflecting off the waterfall off El Capitan. Made famous by Galen Rowell in 1973 (Natural Firefall photograph), innumerable photographers try to capture the firefall year after year. This winter, Yosemite saw relatively little snow and as a result the firefall looks less spectacular than other years. Nevertheless, here is a shot close to the end of this year's term when the spectacle is visible.

Horsetail Fall "Natural Firefall" 2013

Chinese New Year Parade

The annual San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade which started around the time of the Gold Rush is 1860s is estimated to draw over a million visitors to San Francisco downtown streets for an evening spectacle. This is San Francisco welcoming the Year of the Snake.

One of the many dragons

Parade of the Lions

Beauty and the ... eh... Lion

More View(s) of the City

View of San Francisco from Pier 7 with the Transamerica Pyramid in the center and Coit Tower on the right.

San Francisco Skyline from Pier 7 at Dusk

Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park

It was a little early in the season to visit Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park as many roads and attractions were still closed. However the sites to the Giant Sequoia trees were open. The Giant Sequoia trees may not be as tall as the Redwood trees along the California coast, but they are definitely larger by volume, and diameter.

General Grant Giant Sequoia
in Kings Canyon National Park
The 3rd largest tree in the world
(by volume)

General Sherman Giant Sequoia
in Sequoia National Park
The largest tree in the world
(by volume)

Person standing at the base of General Grant

Inside a fallen Giant Sequoia

Person at opening of
fallen Giant Sequoia

The General Highway

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park comprises two habitats. The western half of the park is Mojave Desert like with rock formations and, of course, Joshua trees, whereas the eastern half of the park is very much like the Colorado Desert, where one can find cholla cacti.

Cholla Cactus

Joshua Tree in Hidden Valley

Joshua Tree (by Jumbo Rocks, Campsite 21)

Sunset (by Sheep Pass)

Interesting Rock Formations

Groundhog?  (in Hidden Valley)

Skull Rock (off Park Boulevard)

Elephant (in Hidden Valley)

Arch Rock (White Tank Campground, off Site 9)

San Diego at Dusk

Skyline of San Diego as seen from Coronado Island. The USS Midway is visible on the far left and Petco Park on the right.

Skyline of San Diego

Welcoming Black Water Snake

Gung Hay Fat Choy 共喜发财 Gong Xi Fa Cai

Further View of the City

 San Francisco Pier 14 is a wonderful place to view the downtown city lights. 

San Francisco Skyline from Pier 14 at Dusk

Morning Serenity

The San Francisco Municipal Pier helps protect Aquatic Park Cove, a National Historic Park and home of historic ships.

The Municipal Pier in early morning. The schooner BALCLUTHA is on the right moored at the Hyde Street Pier.

Win Another Day

Good, exciting game. The sixth Superbowl will have to wait for another day. As a reminder of a great season here is San Francisco's City Hall illuminated in the 49ers red and gold.

San Francisco City Hall Bathed in Red and Gold Light

I was hoping to see Coit Tower lit up in red and gold, but it wasn't to be. But note that the Transamerica Building Tip is peeking through the top of the North Tower, and, a nice surprise, the west span suspension cables of the Bay Bridge are lit up (ahead of schedule?)

San Francisco from Marin Headlands