Yosemite Nature Details: The Valley Close Up

This macro photo gallery features the park from the ground level. It’s a collection of natural patterns & textures. Please enjoy this Yosemite nature details collection – shot from multiple locations.

I took the photo above at a snowmelt runoff pond high in the Sierra, near the May lake trailhead. The late afternoon light illuminated the grasses nicely, and provided a beautiful reflection in the water below. While I don’t think they live up here, I can easily imagine a beaver swimming by in this scene.

Frozen maple leaf pattern on forest floor - Yosemite nature details — Frozen maple leaf pattern on forest floor

I took a short walk to Mirror Lake in the winter snow – I enjoyed photographing these ice crystals and maple leaf patterns on the forest floor. Makes for a nice wintry background I suppose.

Patchy rock lichen - Macro — Patchy rock lichen

Above is a detailed shot of green lichen spots on a Merced river boulder. While I probably took this with my Sony RX100, someday I will add to this album using my super macro (telescope mode) Olympus TG4. It takes these close-focus photos to a whole new level!

Caterpillar chewed design in dead leaf - Yosemite nature details — Nature’s Artwork

I assume these intricate patterns are tiny holes chewed by caterpillars or something. Fascinating, in any case.

Tree Bark Patterns – Yosemite Nature Details

Jeffrey Pine Tree Bark (Super Macro) — Jeffrey Pine Bark (Super Macro)

If my memory serves me correctly, this set of images features the effervescent bark of the Jeffrey Pine Tree. What a trip these trees are! There was a sign by them at a turnout along Tioga Road. Although it clearly stated this bark smells of vanilla and butterscotch, I didn’t expect it to be this potent!

Jeffrey Pine Bark closeup, with scented crevices — Bark Design “Carvings”

I believe this here is wolf lichen, on what I assume is the bark of some sort of oak tree. I apologize for being so unsure, I suppose natural details are what really matter here. Haha.

Wolf lichen - letharia vulpina growing on oak tree, Macro Bokeh — Wolf Lichen

These pictures were taken near Olmsted Point on Tioga Road. Below you’ll see small pinecone details on the forest floor. Nice bokeh and focus settings on this one.

Baby Pinecones on ground in forest - Yosemite nature details — Baby Pinecone Detail on Ground

Check out these bizarre “octopus tentacles” growing between the rocks here. I’m not sure if this is a small fern or what exactly, but it does look like some sort of sci-fi creature. It was actually taken at a much lower elevation, near the Merced riverbank.

Odd furls of rock fern species — Odd Rock Fern Species

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About My Photos

The images on this website are available for licensing and/or sale as framed prints. If you’d like to purchase them for a blog, news article, or gift, feel free to contact me with the specifics. This way you’re supporting photographers such as me directly (as opposed to buying from a faceless stock photo corporation).

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– Nathan Allen

About Me

I’m Nathan Allen, photographer / creator of YosemiteParkPhotos.com (Yosemite Photos) and international travel site I Dreamed Of This. In truth, I lived in San Francisco, New York, & Singapore…but nothing compares to life in the mountains. I share my experiences HERE.