Yep, I joined thousands of people holding cameras at the longest single file parking lot in history, to wait 2 days to see the most amazing 20 minute light show that nature has to offer. Despite all that, this was a memorable event and the trip was one for the books.
The Horsetail Fall "firefall" is a natural phenomenon whereby the last red rays of the sun strike just the narrow strip of water and spray, causing it to glow brightly. The conditions are right only a few days per year and require melting snow to make the fall run, and additional condition which has not occurred in recent years. Here is a link:
yosemitefirefall.com/yosemite-firefall-horsetail-fall/
On our first attempt the previous day, conditions were looking great all day and just as the orange glow was supposed to start up, a big cloud dowsed the party, and we got nada, aka "horsetail FAIL".
The next day conditions were looking way too cloudy as we early-comers wallowed in depression for some hours, never giving up, and then about an hour before sunset a blue hole appeared at the horizon and began drifting in to provide some optimal light for the fiery red glow which came at the very end, interestingly after the show appeared to be over and several photographers had already packed their gear to leave. (i think i just set a run on sentence world record).
Thanks to Clint, Tony, and Rob for not noticing that I wore the same clothes for three days straight. You dudes are awesome!
Lens is the FA150mm f/2.8 on the 645Z. 2-exposure manual blend.
Thanks for looking.