YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California — The majestic granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome tower over the lush Yosemite Valley. The tranquil Merced River reflects the iconic landscape, showcasing the breathtaking natural beauty that has made Yosemite one of America's most beloved national parks.
Photograph by David Coleman. Yosemite National Park, nestled in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, is a testament to the raw beauty of the American wilderness. The park's crown jewel, Yosemite Valley, is framed by towering granite monoliths like El Capitan and Half Dome, their sheer faces drawing rock climbers from around the world. The valley floor is bisected by the meandering Merced River, its clear waters reflecting the surrounding landscape and providing a serene foreground to the dramatic cliffs. Lush forests of pine, cedar, and giant sequoias cover the lower elevations, giving way to alpine meadows higher up. Yosemite's diverse ecosystems support a rich variety of wildlife, from black bears and mule deer to over 250 bird species. The park is also famous for its waterfalls, including the iconic Yosemite Falls, which plummet dramatically from the high country. This natural wonderland, protected since 1890, continues to inspire visitors with its grandeur, just as it did early advocates like John Muir and photographer Ansel Adams. Yosemite stands as a powerful symbol of America's natural heritage and the importance of wilderness preservation.
Size: 3338px × 5026px
Location: Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California, United States
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -, .., america, american, bears, beautiful, black, california, capitan, cliff, climbing, coleman, david, dome, el, forest, heritage, landscape, lookout, mountains, national, natural, nature, nevada, north, oudoors, overlook, park, photo, photograph, photography, portait, portrait, preservation, protected, rock, rocky, rugged, scenery, scenic, service, sierra, site, sites, states, summer, sunny, top, tourist, travel, tunnel, unesco, united, usa, valley, vertical, wawona, wilderness, world, yosemite
