a winter visit to yosemite -- although spring was starting to appear along the way

A winter visit to Yosemite -- although spring was starting to appear along the way.

We were greeted by a coyote near the eastern entrance to Yosemite Park.

Bever rock as seen from Yosemite valley -- not beaver -- named after Paul Bever.

There was still a lot of snow in the high country.

Moon rise over Half Dome Mountain from the Merced river valley.

We got to play with a 400 mm, f 2.8 lens on loan from a camera store. It worked great for high mag shots of the granite and snow, but my arms are still sore from

carrying it, and holding it up ~ 20 pounds!!

Awesome shadows and colors in the granite walls of Yosemite canyon, the Dancing Devil of Half Dome is in the center between the tree shadows.

Here is a picture from the same location using a wide angle lens.

Same location again, shot with a 135 mm f 1.2 lens -- Half Dome caught just before sunset when the shadows and colors were at their best.

The next day we drove up to the North entrance of Yosemite and stopped to get this picture showing how low the reservoirs are getting in the west.

A patriotic old tractor on the way from Greely Hill to Yosemite.

Half Dome Mountain and the start of Yosemite Valley.

Bridal Veil falls was flowing pretty good for this time of year.

Looking back up at Half Dome on our way out of the valley to the south entrance of Yosemite Park. The mountains are always better with snow!

Early sunset looking west towards the central valley of California -- still a lot of hills to cross before we get home.

The oak trees around Mariposa, CA were just starting to bud out -- spring is near!

The EndSherann and Bruce 2008