It is amazing how much we miss when we don’t look.

What is now known as the Firefall event at Horsetail Fall in Yosemite has been happening every year since the valley formed. And yet, it was the artificial pushing of hot coals over the cliff at Glacier point each evening that got the name Firefall that everyone came to see. It was both unsustainable and artificial. But as it turned out when they stopped the artificial event, it was then that someone noticed Nature had beat them to the punch in a much more spectacular showing. Each year, when the sun moves into the right position and lights up the waterfall from behind it gives one the impression of a river of fire flowing over the massive cliffs. Now each year a mass of photographers descend on the valley with their cameras, tripods, chairs in such numbers that parking becomes completely unavailable. The event only lasts for about two weeks and then the show ends and the valley returns to normal though the number of photographers in the off season continue to grow each year trying to get a shot where the shadow of El Capitan lines up perfectly so the only thing illuminated is the stream of water flowing over the cliff. But nature is fickle and many things can spoil even the best laid plans by the most seasoned of photographers. Weather plays a big role. To dry or too cold and this little waterfall fails to flow. It’s the dead of winter and if there are clouds to the West the sunset never happens. But when everything comes together it’s one of natures most spectacular sights to behold. At the end of each great sunset, the crowd of photographers roar into applause. Head for their cars in the dark and wait in line for the traffic jam to ease.