Last Light on El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, California. December 30, 1990.
In my “favorite photos” folder the photos for today’s date are a mix of landscape and family pictures. I have two first choices for today’s favorite photo. The first was taken in Yosemite National Park.
My family and I had never been to Yosemite and the park was celebrating it’s 100th anniversary in 1990. We spent the 1990 Christmas holidays with family in Fremont California (see the December 28th post). We were leaving to drive home to Nebraska December, so we decided to go out of our way and see Yosemite for the first time.
I was stunned by the beauty of Yosemite Valley and the steep granite walls. No wonder so many photographers fall in love with Yosemite. It is one of the most stunning places on the planet. We were fortunate that there was a nice snowfall the night before our arrival.
Unfortunately, our car developed serious problems on the way to Yosemite, so our first stop was the auto repair place in Yosemite Valley. Fortunately for us, it open on a Sunday afternoon. So our first few hours were spent waiting for out car to be fixed. By the time our car was ready it was later in the afternoon with not much time for photography.
My favorite image of the day (and one of my two most favorite images for this date) was captured as the last light of the day was hitting the face of El Capitan.
Snow Hummocks, Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California. December 30, 1990.
After the sun set I captured my second favorite image of the day, snow hummocks on the Merced River. This is also my second favorite image for this date.
Yosemite is a great place to take pictures any season of the year.
Andrew, Santa Hat. Ohio. December 30, 2003.
My other most favorite image for this date is our grandson Terran. We were celebrating a late family Christmas and he had on a Santa hat.
Ryan and Janae, Late Christmas, New York. December 30, 2005.
Two years later we were having another late Christmas. Our daughter Janae was having fun with her nephew Ryan. This is my third favorite image for this date.
Jared and Sunny, Columbus Ohio. December 30, 2008.
With family scattered all across the United States, it is not unusual for us to have 2 or 3 or 4 Christmases. This photo was taken during another late Christmas get together. Our son Jared rescued Sunny and he came to live with us. Jared took Sunny out for a walk. A very energetic Jack Russell Terrier, Sunny loved to run. This is my fourth favorite image for this date.
Links
Series: Favorite Photos by Date – all about this series
Yosemite National Park – official web site