18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Yosemite Valley At Merced River

This was taken just two days before smoke from wildfire started making its way into the valley and turned it orange. The valley was even closed for a time about a week after this photo was taken. You can actually see the tint and haze in the photo from a previous wildfire that was burning. Drought also made the river level really low. El Capitan is off to the left. An almost-dry Bridal Vail Falls to the right.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: California, United States of America
Copyright: © Andrew Wilson