El Capitan, Merced River, Winter

Snow-covered boulders line the Merced River in Yosemite Valley, with El Capitan catching the warm light of sunrise.

I've photographed El Capitan many times, but this was the first time I'd seen the Merced River so high and the boulders capped with snow. The light was perfect for about five minutes as the sun cleared the eastern ridge, turning the granite face a brilliant gold.

Yosemite Valley, California