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MANZANITA AND BRIDALVEIL FALL
THE NATURE OF YOSEMITE
A Visual Journey
Robb Hirsch
FOREWORD BY JOHN MUIR LAWS
YOSEMITE CONSERVANCY
Yosemite National Park
Individual contributions copyright © 2019 by the individual authors, with the exception that the essays by Karen Amstutz, Rob Grasso, Nathan Stephenson, Greg Stock, and Sarah Stock are works of the United States government and are not subject to copyright protection in the United States.
All other text and photographs copyright © 2019 by Robb Hirsch.
Published in the United States by Yosemite Conservancy. All rights reserved. No portion of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Yosemite Conservancy inspires people to support projects and programs that preserve Yosemite and enrich the visitor experience.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019933836
Book design by Eric Ball Design
Hardcover ISBN 978-1-930238-91-6
Paperback ISBN 978-1-930238-92-3
Printed in China by Artron Art (Group) Co., Ltd. through Crash Paper
1 2 3 4 5 6 – 23 22 21 20 19
EL CAPITAN AND THE MERCED RIVER
For my son, Noah
MAY YOU ALWAYS FIND INSPIRATION IN THE NATURAL WORLD
DANA FORK OF THE TUOLUMNE RIVER
CONTENTS
On Wonder, Beauty, and Nature | John Muir Laws
Yosemite: Granting the Long View | Adonia Ripple
The Influence of Art: Inspiring Appreciation and Protection | James McGrew
Sierra Wildflowers: An Alluring Beauty | Dan Webster
Fire: Agent of Change and Renewal | Kurt Menning
Giant Sequoias: Drama on a Grand Scale | Nathan Stephenson
Leaf Litter: Where We Walk | Pete Devine
Tuolumne Meadows: An Unparalleled Landscape | Karen Amstutz
The Rivers of Yosemite: Shaping Land, Nourishing Life | Tim Palmer
Yosemite Birds: Diversity of Splendor | Sarah Stock
The Pika: King of the High Country | Beth Pratt
Yosemite Toads: Life on the Edge | Rob Grasso
Yosemite Geology: Glaciers on Granite | Greg Stock
The Water Cycle: Range of White | Brock Dolman
MATTHES CREST
FOREWORD
On Wonder, Beauty, and Nature
Yosemite is known worldwide for its beauty. The waterfalls and glacially sculpted domes and valleys have called generations of painters, writers, and photographers. The wonder and awe of Yosemite Valley inspired citizens to have their lawmakers protect this land and to develop the national park system. Few visit this landscape without being moved. Behind the grandeur
