Photographic meanderings

Shawn Reeder, a remarkably talented photographer and musician, has posted this stunning time-lapse video on Vimeo.  While I can see how his friend Tom Lowe has informed and influenced his work, I can also see Shawn’s own beautiful and unique vision and style. 

Tom, stop it.  You’re stealing away all the great ‘togs from still photography work.  

The following is taken from Yosemite National Park Tioga and Glacier Point Plowing Update 

April 23, 2012.  Tioga Road: Plows have reached Olmsted Point and crews will assess the avalanche zone tomorrow.

Despite the below-average snowpack, full avalanche precautions are still in place.

There is no estimated opening date for the Tioga Road.

Once plowing of the Tioga Road is completed, additional work must be completed before the road can safely be opened.

Factors affecting plowing operations:

• Avalanche zones (26 potential areas). The Olmsted Point avalanche zone requires a lot of work, including application of charcoal over the snow to help with melting and blasting the snow slab to make it safer for personnel.
• Heavy snow pack slows the whole operation.
• Trees that have fallen across the road and been buried in the snow. These can cause substantial damage to the equipment and result in a stop to all operations until they’re cleared.
• Rock slides buried by the snow. These can cause substantial damage to the equipment and result in a stop to all operations.
• Snow storms during the opening require a stop to Tioga Road operations and in order to plow and sand the park roads.
• Road repairs and ditching and brushing operations once snow has melted back enough

Snow plant; Sarcoides sanguinea is a parasitic plant that has no chlorophyl.  It has no leaves, but gets its nutrients from decaying matter.  It appears after the snows have melted. The brilliant green plants are sweet woodruff, Galium odoratum, an import that was used as a strewing herb, and to flavor may wine in Germany. It’s also known as lady’s bedstraw. 

According to our good friend Jeffrey Trust at Yosemite NPS, plowing has begun on Tioga Pass Road.  Unfortunately, they haven’t issued a report yet.  Hopefully reports will soon be posted online.  You can follow along here: Tioga Pass Road plowing update page Be sure to bookmark it, and visit often!

Are you aching to get over to the other side of the Sierra Nevada like I am? Where will you go on your first trip of the year over Tioga Pass?

If you use Twitter, you might want to add @JeffreyTrust to your follow-list.

Merced River, evening light.  January 28, 2008.

Three Brothers with a fresh frosting of snow.  Picture taken on January 6, 2008.

Horsetail Falls, April 16th, 2012.