Yosemite Valley Morning

Morning light reaches into Yosemite Valley while El Capitan holds a cool shadow above the trees. The Merced River bends through the foreground, catching pale gold on the water between dark stones and pine branches. Granite walls, meadow grass and a clear strip of sky give the picture several textures without turning it into a flat mountain view.

Start with El Capitan and the riverbank, then use the tree line to connect the lower valley. Reflections help separate water pieces from rock, especially where bright ripples run beside shaded stones. Higher counts get slower in the pines and meadow, but the granite face, river curve and warm light leave enough landmarks to keep the solve moving.