Silent Night
RELEASED DECEMBER 2020 | I had this view all to myself for the hour or so I sat here back in February, capturing the night sky above Yosemite Valley from the iconic Tunnel View while also reading a biography of John Muir (perfectly timed to coincide with his own arrival at Yosemite).
I'd been visualizing this image since arriving at the park the day before at sunset. Cold but without wind, a few scattered clouds adding depth and interest (note a cloud's shadow on El Capitan), I couldn't have asked for better conditions. The moon, too often shunned for night sky scenes, providing the perfect amount of light to show off the spectacular landscape unfolded before me, and even creating an ever-so-faint "moonbow" in the mist of Bridal Veil Falls.
The outside world fading away. Fully attuned to this moment. 𝘕𝘰𝘸. 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦. 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦.
Other than the occasional booming of ice breaking loose and crashing down from the distant falls, the night was completely silent. I've found myself reflecting back on this experience often over the past several months; an idyllic, peaceful moment for which I'll be forever grateful.