"Thank You Lord"

It was the morning after a good overnight soaking rain and not a single cloud could be found in the sky above. It was still fairly early in the morning. Only the experienced and dedicated were already up and about.

I started my day at one of the more iconic and most popular locations in the park and made my first photograph at 427AM. This was my second stop of the morning and I had the entire place to myself! I finished off my second mug of coffee while watching two Douglas Squirrels playing tag. What energy and acrobatic capabilities. Always entertaining. The air was heavy with refreshing moisture, several birds were singing happy songs and I was grateful to once again be wandering Yosemite Valley.

Gravel crunched under the heavy tread of my boots as I worked my way towards the southern edge of the Merced River. The light was still good enough to generate some nice reflections in the river but that was quickly coming to a conclusion on this section of the river for this morning.

I was working my way down river with my full attention on the pretty light at play on the river. Shimmering light in various colors. Strong graphic lines of the reflections of tree trunks wiggling in the water and abstract patterns made by the reflections of shoreline rocks and bushes were everywhere.

Out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of what I thought was a small puddle in the shadows off to my left. I decided to go give it a look. From my approach I didn't think too much of it, but after I swung around to the other side of the puddle I could not believe the amazing opportunity I just stumbled onto! I quickly worked out a composition and made a few exposures. The light was changing rapidly and within three minutes the reflection was no longer usable. Grateful to have had the opportunity and this wonderfully joyous experience I spoke out loud the three words that I often find myself saying when I am out in the wilderness, "Thank You Lord."

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