I wish I could spend a year here. I really do. I'd grab a wider angle lens, a tent and provisions, and just camp. I would love to capture the Yosemite Valley in every season, in every different angle of light. One day does not do it, and my one regret is I didn't get down here more often. Being a hike from Oakland, 3 1/2 hours or so, the timing never quite worked out right...
Anyhoo, my late summer day visit was very nice. The Valley was warm, the trees and grass at the height of their season. Water going into Fall is low though, that was one drawback. But past Labor Day, the tourists are fewer and space is definitely a plus (but the fire might have weighed on that this year too.) All in all, a peaceful and relaxing time that went way too fast.
Decided against a slideshow here because of the re-sizing of pans like above, but have 29 pictures in the set if you want more. It's been hard to work on this set because so many pictures of rock and sky get overwhelming all at once, so I think I'll just post additions individually when I revisit it. There are a few that would be great in black and white...