The Horsetail Fall firefall in its golden phase, photographed from the El Capitan picnic area.
Nearing optimal timing for the firefall spectacle, Horsetail Fall assumes a rich golden hue.
As the sun sinks lower and its lingering rays turn redder, Horsetail Fall begins to look like a lava flow.
At peak times, it can be difficult to find a spot to set up a tripod for the Horsetail Fall firefall spectacle: Seemingly every patch of dirt with an unobstructed view of the falls has a camera on it.
In years with good conditions, thousands of photographers flock to Yosemite Valley to witness the firefall spectacle.