Elm Tree and Half Dome During Sunrise

Elm tree at Cook's meadow, in front of Half Dome, during sunrise. Fall in Yosemite brings a lot of color to the park. Elm trees are not native to Yosemite, but one of the most visible and iconic tees in Cook's meadow is an elm tree, planted there in the last century. My friend and I left the Bay Area at 3am to be there at sunrise, to capture the sun rising behind the tree, with half dome in the background. This is one of my popular photographs that's been printed a lot. It captures the essence of being in Yosemite, during fall.

Yosemite Valley in early fall, and the sun is just cresting the ridge behind me, shining through the branches of this elm. The meadow grasses have turned a deep gold, and the morning haze softens the granite faces of Half Dome.

Yosemite Valley, California