Home
Presentations
Donner Party
Weather
Sierra Stories
Endorsements
Buy Books!
Tahoe Nuggets
About Us
Contact Us

 

nug-link02

facebook

Follow Mark on Facebook for more stories

nugbanner02

<Previous Nugget> <Next Nugget>

Tahoe Nugget #90:

Yosemite's Lunar Light
July 9, 2006

It can occur at any time of the year, but most often in summer the setting sun will cast a rosy glow over the landscape. It's the result of light waves getting bent and scattered as they travel longer distances through the earth's "dirty" particulate-filled atmosphere. In mountain country it's called "alpine glow" and my first experience with it was in Yosemite National Park in 1977. Alpine glow is especially stunning in this west-facing valley.

Tonight's moonrise over Lake Tahoe was complemented by the rosy hue of the mountains, lake and clouds. I have seen countless moon rises over Tahoe, but I consider the full moon & alpine glow combination the best, most enjoyed during the mild summer months.

Over time, however, diminishing sunlight eventually gives way to a landscape under the spell of lunar light. It's more challenging to photograph, but invariably worth the effort. Here are a few images from my Yosemite Days.

Photo #1: Half Dome alpine glow reflection in Merced River. Do not try to adjust your computer monitor! The mirror image is naturally upside down and reversed.
Photo #2: Half Dome under a lunar light. If you look carefully (I realize it's low scan quality) you can see star tracks in the sky and a light below the dome's "nose." The light is a climber's bivouac on the wall. (See Nugget #35 for another shot of Half Dome in moonlight and cloud.)
Photo #3: Yosemite High Country at midnight.
Photo #4: Jim "JB" Budny celebrates a full moonrise in Carnelian Bay, Lake Tahoe, shortly before his birthday in June 2005.

Nugget #90 A Half dome glow reflection001-01 copy

Nugget #90 B Half dome clear moonlight000-01

Nugget #90 C Cloud's Rest moonlight 400 width

Nugget #90 D JB Tahoe moonrise

[Home] [Presentations] [Donner Party] [Weather] [Sierra Stories] [Endorsements] [Buy Books!] [Tahoe Nuggets] [About Us] [Contact Us]

Mic Mac Media
P. O. Box 483 • Carnelian Bay, CA 96140
Phone 530-546-5612

© 2012 by MicMacMedia.com — This material and format is copyrighted, and permission from the author is necessary for commercial use.