Yosemite’s first residents were Native Americans who may have first inhabited the region as many as 10,000 years ago. Yosemite National Park was created in 1890, largely due to the efforts of writer and naturalist John Muir. On October 1, 1890, the U.S. Congress set aside more than 1,500 square miles of reserved forest lands, soon to be known as Yosemite National Park. Many species of native wildflowers and trees can be found in Yosemite. Trees include the Giant Sequoia, which can live up to 3,000 years and are considered to be the largest living thing on the planet. It is also home to several animal species, some of which have been saved from extinction. Bighorn sheep, golden eagles and peregrine falcons are just some of the creatures that have comfortably increased their numbers. There are between 300 to 500 black bears.
Wildcat Falls Rock
Full Moonrise over Tunnel View
Yosemite Falls Reflection
Moonrise over Bridalveil Fall
Merced River Ice
Cathedral Rocks
Columbia Rock
El Capitan
Three Brothers Morning
Sunset on Half Dome
Moonrise over Tunnel View
Moonrise over Tunnel View
El Capitan Reflection
Moonrise Over Half Dome
Wildcat Falls Reflection
Wildcat Falls
Tunnel View
Gates of the Valley Mist
Three Brothers in Morning Light
Three Brothers Reflections
El Capitan Mist
Cathedral Rocks in Mist
Cascade Creek Falls
credit: ewoerlen