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#1
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Worth Getting Muddy...
http://www.pbase.com/image/58770336/original
Last week in Yosemite. After 4 days making trips into the park, the rain (and snow) finally stopped and the sun broke through... I'm happy to say that this ISN'T a shot "everyone takes," since this meadow isn't usually flooded...and I was the only person in 4 days that was willing to wade out into the temporary pond with my tripod. ....and yes--as a matter of fact...the underwater prairie grass really was that bright. -Mark |
#2
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Worth Getting Muddy...
MarkČ wrote:
http://www.pbase.com/image/58770336/original Last week in Yosemite. After 4 days making trips into the park, the rain (and snow) finally stopped and the sun broke through... I'm happy to say that this ISN'T a shot "everyone takes," since this meadow isn't usually flooded...and I was the only person in 4 days that was willing to wade out into the temporary pond with my tripod. ...and yes--as a matter of fact...the underwater prairie grass really was that bright. -Mark A beauty! |
#3
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Worth Getting Muddy...
"MarkČ" wrote: http://www.pbase.com/image/58770336/original Last week in Yosemite. After 4 days making trips into the park, the rain (and snow) finally stopped and the sun broke through... I'm happy to say that this ISN'T a shot "everyone takes," since this meadow isn't usually flooded...and I was the only person in 4 days that was willing to wade out into the temporary pond with my tripod. ...and yes--as a matter of fact...the underwater prairie grass really was that bright. -Mark A beautiful shot! Colin D. |
#4
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Worth Getting Muddy...
MarkČ wrote:
http://www.pbase.com/image/58770336/original Last week in Yosemite. After 4 days making trips into the park, the rain (and snow) finally stopped and the sun broke through... I'm happy to say that this ISN'T a shot "everyone takes," since this meadow isn't usually flooded...and I was the only person in 4 days that was willing to wade out into the temporary pond with my tripod. ...and yes--as a matter of fact...the underwater prairie grass really was that bright. Well done! |
#5
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Worth Getting Muddy...
Nice photo but doesn't the Park have rules on distrubing ponds and
meadows? There usually are rules to stay on the trails and don't go off the trail in sensitive areas, especially meadows flooded or dry. Did you read the rules or inquire with the rangers when you got your permit? I'm all for getting the best photograph, but not at the expense of nature or breaking NPS rules. |
#6
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Worth Getting Muddy...
wsrphoto wrote:
Nice photo but doesn't the Park have rules on distrubing ponds and meadows? There usually are rules to stay on the trails and don't go off the trail in sensitive areas, especially meadows flooded or dry. Did you read the rules or inquire with the rangers when you got your permit? I'm all for getting the best photograph, but not at the expense of nature or breaking NPS rules. Relax. No... I didn't break any rules, and no...it was not a forbidden area in any way. There were two other people with cameras (one with a tripod) on the field of mostly-dead grass. I was just the only one willing to get wet in effort for what I saw as THE shot. The rest of the field was wet...just not submerged. There ARE a few areas in Yosemite that are marked as "revegitation," or some such wording...where it is suggested that you stay off. This meadow wasn't one of them. In fact, Yosemite is a notably UNregulated area in terms of hiking, etc. While there are some designated trails, one can backpack all over the place (as I have done in the past at length). Hikers are indeed warned that they risk death if they continue in certain obvious areas, but you are not forbidden from continuing. People are allowed to die quite frequently, which I think (aside from the tragedy of death) is great. Freedom sometimes means danger to ones self, and I say there are very positive aspects of that kind of freedom. As for Rangers thoughts on my position... Several Rangers were parked within very close sight of me for some time (apparently taking a break or something), and others drove by numerous times. I was out there for over an hour, and they not only didn't say anything to me, but they didn't appear to care one wit. Thankfully, Yosemite...although it is indeed highly regulated in terms of traffic, parking, etc....has not fallen prey to ridiculous levels of OVERprotection. They clearly understand that nature should be enjoyed, photographed, hiked through, slept on, and generally experienced. The only time I saw them ask anyone to move out of an area was when a group of young people had taken four large, ugly, orange cones...and set up a baseball game in the middle of one of the more picturesque fields. A ranger very politely walked out...shook their hands...and asked them to stop (Duh). Like you, I also believe in responsible use and enjoyment of nature. -But I also believe that one should not SEEK to restrict it for restriction's sake, or look for fault in those who have figured out ways to share nature's beauty with those who can't experience it first hand for themselves (photos). As for disturbing the pond/valley/park... Perhaps you'll recall the huge flood in the 90's that submerged the entire valley under about 10 feet of water? Was the park service so dumb as to assume that it was somehow a "good" and "natural" thing? No. They made extensive repairs and have put it back into shape. The only indication that a flood occurred now is found on the two or three tall signs...which indicate the amazing level the water rose to in that event. I think that sometimes those who *live* to "protect the Earth" sometimes need to take a step back and remember that in order for the masses to get behind the concept of protection...it is necessary to allow people to actually experience it...without always being harrassed into submissive exodus...by those whose protective sense flies in the face of common sense. When you allow people access to nature within reasonably permissive limits, I find that two things happen: 1: Overprotective types discover and recognise that nature is far more resilient than some would have you believe... 2: That those who might otherwise adopt a careless attitude toward natural resources (due to lack of access and experience) begin to not only enjoy it...but also value it as they discover its wonders up close--rather than from behind a chain, wall, or fence. Although there are certainly reasonable cause for barriers in some cases, I believe that without personal experience with nature, its pretty tough to convince people of its worth. A lack of experience works against BOTH sides. Half of the inexperienced fall into the mindlessly overprotective and robotic reactionary stance...where all humanity is a profain threat to the planet...while the other half becomes similarly and hopeless ignorant in an opposite reaction that leads to foolish waste and disregard for natural beauty and resources. We don't need mindless armies on EITHER side of this coin. We need a balanced, reasonably careful, but reasonably permissive stance. Short of this, and we risk alienation from nature, and the disregarded and/or oppositional postures that result from the two extremes. So... Your concern is duly noted (and please note that I am quite unaware of the details of your complete, personal feelings on the larger issues), but your particular concern over my photography is not shared by the very informed, very protective and entirely in-the-know folks who are charged with the care and keeping of Yosemite Valley. -And I say AMEN to that. -Mark Selah. |
#7
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Worth Getting Muddy...
Muir Woods is one of those places where it's specifically prohibited to
leave the paths, that's understandable given that the main valley is rather small & they get a huge number of visitors. Many other state parks & such near urban centers have those signs. Yosemite valley is pretty big though. It would take a lot of fence to regulate. Muir woods has real nice fences and trail system. Personally I like going to the less polular parks & doing a lot of bushwhacking off trail. I was mushing through poison oak this morning in fact. : - ) |
#8
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Worth Getting Muddy...
Paul Furman wrote:
Muir Woods is one of those places where it's specifically prohibited to leave the paths, that's understandable given that the main valley is rather small & they get a huge number of visitors. Many other state parks & such near urban centers have those signs. Yosemite valley is pretty big though. It would take a lot of fence to regulate. Muir woods has real nice fences and trail system. Personally I like going to the less polular parks & doing a lot of bushwhacking off trail. I was mushing through poison oak this morning in fact. - ) Ya...unfortunately, my wife has a nice patch of poison oak on her neck from this trip... I didn't notice any poison oak, but she did...and still manage to get some on her. I suspect she brushed it with her pants...touched her pant leg...and then her neck... Ugly. One thing that made this particular Yosemite trip absolutely fantastic was the crummy weather. Crummy (and even treacherous) weather meant I saw the smallest number of visitors in the park of any time in 30 years that I've visited. It was great...even in heavy downpour. We were cold, soaked, and having a great time enjoying an aspect of the park most people never venture into or stick around for... -The messy side. It was beautifully messy. So messy, in fact, that pictures were often out of the question (blowing, huge snow clumps, blowing rain, and slippery...chains-required roads). Generally I agree with you and your preference for more uninhabited areas. I used to backpack every summer in the Minerets Wilderness (now called Ansel Adams Wilderness). It is a large region that connects to the south-east border of Yosemite. I've been backpacking for 9 days there where I have not seen a SINGLE other person. Love it. Great fishing...lonely trails that are often hard to see...and pictures everywhere you look. I'm hoping to go packing there again this summer after a 10 year absence. -Mark |
#9
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Worth Getting Muddy...
"MarkČ" mjmorgan(lowest even number wrote in message news:VXZ0g.7348$Qz.6867@fed1read11... Hikers are indeed warned that they risk death if they continue in certain obvious areas, ..... The park police carry Uzi's just for this purpose.....:^) |
#10
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Worth Getting Muddy...
So...
Your concern is duly noted (and please note that I am quite unaware of the details of your complete, personal feelings on the larger issues), but your particular concern over my photography is not shared by the very informed, very protective and entirely in-the-know folks who are charged with the care and keeping of Yosemite Valley. My concern wasn't about your photography, it is a good photo. I hike in Mt. Rainier NP and it is extensively controlled including the backcountry areas, and fairly well overseen by rangers. And I used to camp and hike in Yosemite in the early 1970's, long before the need for regulation. I was only asking out of curiosity as I've seen tourists and photographers ignore rules "to get the photo." Thanks for the explanation, albeit presumptive my knowledge, experience, perspective and concern. |
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