This park is most noteworthy for its incredible, towering granite domes and sheer rock faces.

But the valley that runs through the park is a canopy of green from the tall, dense trees that almost totally block the sun.

Several groves of Sequoia trees are…umm…standouts.
It seems everything grows big here, and leans toward the sun.
We thought these very tall trees with the strong vertical folds in their reddish bark were redwoods, but found they are actually Incense Cedar.

So many trees are evergreens that the roads and paths are heavily shaded all year.
Numerous open areas offer fabulous views…and provide the setting to see the trees instead of the forest….
It’s not all tall, slender trees….
And it’s not all peaches and cream…or smooth sailing….
All of nature in Yosemite National Park has to scratch for a living, under conditions sometimes that fight mightily against them. Most are opportunists of the first degree…living on the edge…
As we went home each evening…was it fire, or just sundown?