Intimate Landscape Photography from Northern California & Western United States.

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Landscape, Seasons, Spring, Yosemite

Springtime in Yosemite

June 2, 2017

Yosemite National Park is a special place to visit any time of year, but it is Springtime when she really puts on a show. The Dogwoods and the Redbud bloom cheerily along the Merced River, the Cottonwoods push out new, lime-green growth. And there’s water. Lots and lots of water.

This year was especially spectacular, due to the above-average snowfall that the Sierra received over the Winter. As the weather warmed, the snowmelt increased, creating new cascades of water down high cliffs in the Valley. All of the waterfalls gushed, creating minor flooding down below. The meadows were transformed into shallow lakes, where you could watch a variety of waterfowl foraging for food. I even saw a man doing the backstroke in El Capitan Meadow!

Normally by this time of year, the road across Tioga Pass is open. But not this year. There are still record amounts of snow along the road and crews are still working hard to clear it. However, the road to Glacier Point did manage to open as usual in time for Summer vacationers.

I was able to make two trips to Yosemite Valley this Spring, and both times the crowds were significantly bigger than I seen in previous years. Long delays at the entrances and traffic jams were common, especially around the weekends. Even so, it was wonderful to be there to witness the changing of seasons and pay tribute to the jewel of our National Park system.

“Feeling Reflective” — Leidig Meadow was transformed into a reflective mirror in the stillness of the early morning. Not even the ducks were up this early to disturb the perfect water.
“Signs of Spring” — Dogwoods are the classic symbol of Spring in Yosemite Valley. They grow abundantly in a few places in the Valley — in the Western part of the valley, near the Pohono Bridge, and in the Eastern part, near the Ahwahnee Hotel (um, I mean the Majestic Yosemite Hotel).
“Bridalveil Showing Off” — Bridalveil Fall always produces a rainbow on sunny days in the Springtime. You just have to know where to stand in order to see it!
“Springtime in Yosemite” — The Merced River races downhill, uprooting trees and slowly reshaping the Valley.
“Rebirth” — Seasonal waterfalls were gushing everywhere in Yosemite Valley. This one is called Sentinel Fall, and I’ve rarely seen it flowing with enough water that it actually looks like a waterfall. The lake reflecting it is actually a meadow, transformed into a lake with the Spring runoff.
“A Reflective Spring” — This seasonal pond had been dry for several years during California’s crippling drought. Now, it is full and probably will remain so well into Summer.
“When the Forest Stirs”
“Sunday Morning Worship” — This is indeed my church.

Charlotte Gibb is a contemporary fine art photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area specializing in landscapes of the Western United States. Her images are often taken in familiar places for the well-versed landscape photographer, but she prides herself on her keen eye toward the subtle and sometimes overlooked beauty of the natural world. Growing up among the beautiful mountains of Northern California, she considers herself a student of life, learning about people, nature, music, and photography along the way. But always, her life-long passion for the wilderness shines through it all. Charlotte earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and has exhibited her work in several solo shows throughout California. Her darkroom, long gone now, has been replaced with digital darkroom tools, and her style has evolved from a somewhat journalistic approach, to one that pays tribute to the natural world. 

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8 Comments

  • Bill Higgins - Northern Michigan
    June 4, 2017 at 5:03 AM

    Beautiful photographs, great light and your compositions really capture the moment! I always look forward to seeing your new work. Thanks for sharing.

  • Barry Acheson
    June 5, 2017 at 4:06 PM

    Wow Charlotte! Incredible images. The emotions that your images induce are fantastic. I recently discovered your work and have since subscribed to your newsletters. Looking forward to seeing more!
    Barry Acheson – Ontario, Canada

    • charlottegibb
      June 11, 2017 at 7:58 AM

      Thanks, Barry! I’m glad you are enjoying my images. I’m always interested in how people respond to my work — photographers and non-photographers. I try to write a newsletter that has a little something for everyone. Thanks again for your kind comment!

  • Bill Higgins - Northern Michig
    February 14, 2019 at 7:04 PM

    Beautiful photographs, great light and your compositions really capture the moment! I always look forward to seeing your new work. Thanks for sharing.

  • Barry Acheson
    February 14, 2019 at 7:04 PM

    Wow Charlotte! Incredible images. The emotions that your images induce are fantastic. I recently discovered your work and have since subscribed to your newsletters. Looking forward to seeing more!
    Barry Acheson – Ontario, Canada

    • charlottegibb
      February 14, 2019 at 9:17 PM

      Thanks, Barry! I’m glad you are enjoying my images. I’m always interested in how people respond to my work — photographers and non-photographers. I try to write a newsletter that has a little something for everyone. Thanks again for your kind comment!