Blazing 'firefall' lights up Yosemite, see the pictures here
Digital Reporter
Thursday, February 16, 2017, 1:42 - It only happens once a year -- and only when a host of complicated factors are aligned -- but the show is always worth it.
Its mid-February, meaning Yosemite National Park's famous cascading golden "firefall" lights up the park's distinct El Capitan, drawing photographers from around the world.
The regularity of the amazing national phenomenon, and its reliance on the sun's angle, may put one in mind of Stonehenge, but the science behind the firefall -- actually El Capitan's Horsetail Falls -- is actually a little more complicated, and harder to pull off.
First, you'll need the sun to be at just the right angle to hit the waterfall, and that angle only occurs twice a year, in February and October. However, the falls' fiery appearance is only possible in February.
Every February a rare phenomenon makes Horsetail Fall @Yosemitenps glow like fire. Pic from Saturday by Ray Lee #California #firefall pic.twitter.com/Gxt2YlKav7
— US Dept of Interior (@Interior) February 14, 2017
That's because the falls are reliant on the weather: They're fed by runoff from the snow that falls on El Capitan over the winter, and then only if daytime highs are above zero, enough to cause some melt. In October, there's usually not enough snowpack to feed the falls.
Even when all those pieces fall into place, you'll only see the falls light up if there's no cloud cover, and even then for only ten minutes in a day.
It looks like this year was a good one for firefall watchers. Below is a selection of shots from photographers who made the journey.
One of my photos from Yosemite National Park's annual 'Firefall.' For more info, pics, and… https://t.co/4fnppXWt7x pic.twitter.com/b30lSb3Cqs
— Tom Bricker (@Tom_Bricker) February 15, 2017
I love these "Firefall" pics from @YosemiteNPS. #Yosemite #Nature #Beauty pic.twitter.com/cJLHU9v5Aw
— K. L. Connie Wang (@BeTheBuddha) February 15, 2017
“'Firefall' is illuminating Yosemite National Park ” 🔥🏔️https://t.co/wR20j9hUyQ pic.twitter.com/xKVNpofcD7
— M Sylvester (@Aria_Sylvester) February 15, 2017
Firefall, Yosemite National Park, California pic.twitter.com/aXDhSHH5ye
— Ruby Lalor (@RedRose2201) February 15, 2017
Sangeeta Dey Photography ~ The Return of Firefall https://t.co/fWDhNIRApY pic.twitter.com/l9YWmAn6ZR
— ricky st.john (@rickyst_john) February 15, 2017
SOURCE: Yosemite Firefall
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