Horsetail Fall, Yosemite National Park, California Feb 16, 2023

Horsetail Fall, Yosemite National Park, California

Illuminated by the setting sun on Yosemite"s famous El Capitan is a rare natural phenomenon known as the "Firefall," which appears for just a few weeks a year. From mid to late February, the sun is at just the right angle to set Horsetail Fall aglow, but only if sufficient water is flowing and the sky is clear. Even then, the Firefall only lasts for about 10 minutes in the evening, so vantage points can be very crowded.

© Jeff Lewis/Tandem Stills + Motion

palette

Today in History

Feb 16, 2018Dragon dance performed in Chenzhou, Hunan Province, China
Feb 16, 2019It’s not a pinecone, it’s a pangolin
Feb 16, 2020When an ideal microclimate gives you lemons…
Feb 16, 2021Mardi Gras flower power
Feb 16, 2022Cranborne Chase, England
Feb 16, 2024Great Backyard Bird Count
Feb 16, 2025Happy World Whale Day!

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 9, 2022Dolomites
Oct 29, 2023Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia
Jan 20, 2018Yellow-eyed penguins, Moeraki, New Zealand
May 23, 2023World Turtle Day
Aug 15, 2019It’s surströmming time
May 5, 2018Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Oct 30, 2021Central Highlands of Vietnam
Jan 15, 2025Anniversary of the British Museum
May 3, 2021It s Teacher Appreciation Week
Apr 21, 2018Celebrating National Park Week, April 21-29
Jun 12, 2019A big birthday for Big Bend
Sep 3, 2023Skyscraper Day
Oct 3, 2021Birthplace of Roman emperors
Jul 25, 2025Colorful houses of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Aug 11, 2021Everyone s watching the Perseids
Apr 8, 2022Ponta Delgada
Dec 1, 2019Southern lights for Antarctica Day
Dec 5, 2020A cozy winter village
Jan 10, 2023Lake Peipus, Estonia
Nov 14, 2024Manarola, Cinque Terre National Park, Liguria, Italy
Jun 12, 2020Big sky at Big Bend
Feb 27, 2024International Polar Bear Day
Jul 27, 2024Vineyards in the Mosel Valley, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Sep 29, 2023Mid-Autumn Festival
May 16, 20193,000 years of history
Jun 21, 2020Grab onto the handlebars, kid
Mar 20, 2025Spring equinox
Sep 27, 2019Ancient storage in the Grand Canyon
Mar 10, 2023Vale of Edale, Peak District, England
May 21, 2019Salmon return to the Copper River