A spectacular “waterfall of fire” delighted photographers and nature lovers on Wednesday as the setting sun reflected off a waterfall in Yosemite National Park, California.
Each year, for a short period of time, the last rays of the day ignite the waterfall Horsetail Falls, giving it the appearance of a lava flow tumbling down the mythical cliff of El Capitan.
This phenomenon attracts tourists from all over the United States. It only lasts a few minutes and only occurs if all the conditions are met.
“When the sun sets at the exact angle, it reflects off El Capitan,” Yosemite National Park public relations officer Scott Gediman told AFP.
“It’s a combination of the sun reflecting off the water, clear skies, flowing water. If all (these conditions) are met, it’s magic.”
California, like a large part of the western United States, has been the victim for years of a drought phenomenon which has had a strong impact on the water level of the rivers.
The abundant rains at the beginning of the year, which caused deadly floods in certain regions of this State, however raised the level of the rivers.
On Wednesday, California’s signature blue skies made an appearance, which meant visitors to Yosemite – who were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time – had a chance to witness the waterfall of fire.
“The photos I’ve seen are just beautiful,” said amateur photographer Terry Cantrell, from the town of Fresno, located south of Yosemite Park. “Everyone wants to have their own, so that’s what I try to do.”
For her colleague Whitney Clark, from San Francisco, the long wait in freezing temperatures was worth it.
“Depending on how the sun sets over the mountain or the rock, it creates a really nice fire effect and you can get a nice shot out of it,” she explains.
16/02/2023 07:30:05 – Yosemite National Park (United States) (AFP) – © 2023 AFP