Yosemite Waterfall Turns to “Lava Falls” Every February

Yosemite Waterfall Turns to “Lava Falls” Every February

There is an eventful period of time when photographers wait for the specific ephemeral moment, like an eclipse, when the sun creates a very spectacular view that marks a wonderful phenomenon in Yosemite National Park in California.

This wonderful event of nature happens at sunset in mid-February, if the weather allows it.  In those specific periods of time, the setting sun brightens up Horsetail Fall, one of the park’s waterfalls, so intensely that it looks like a flow of molten lava.

Every year, nature photographers come together to the park, waiting for the sky to be so clear so they can take breathtaking pictures of the “lava falls” and duplicate the spectacular event that was first recorded in 1973.

Horsetail Fall is so uniquely situated that makes it distinct from other falls in Yosemite National Park.

The Horsetail Fall phenomenon is another wonderful work of nature. Photographers have to determine the specific time for the sun to illuminate the sky for almost the same period of two weeks in mid-February to capture the view.

"If you hit it at just the right time, it turns this amazing color of gold or red-orange," said Frye, a photo instructor in the Ansel Adams Gallery in the park.

To successfully photograph the phenomena dubbed as “lava falls”, it takes precise timing and the cooperation of nature. It is very important that the sky is so clear and that there is just enough water for the falls to resemble molten lava. The fiery falls illumines at around dusk and only lasts for about two minutes.

Posted by Sophia Andrews on Tuesday February 21 2012, 5:32 AM EST. Ref: Google. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Travel. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0