An afternoon rainbow camps at the base of Bridalveil Falls.

There are numerous Bridalveil Falls around the world and although the one located in Yosemite Valley is neither the tallest, biggest, or strongest, it is questionably the most majestic of its namesakes.  A rainbow visits this site if your timing is careful, and although I was in Yosemite to shoot moonbows, I figured the angle of the sun would be just right that I could catch this one as well.  After a pre-dawn wakeup to shoot sunrise and a full morning exploring, I took a nap in the Tunnel View parking lot waiting for the rainbow to come.  I did not set an alarm and awoke abruptly only to see hints of red creeping up the base as the clouds parted.  I rushed to grab my gear, set up, and shoot this image before the rainbow ascended the waterfall and out of sight.  It was a great afternoon, with a cyclone of clouds providing dynamic and moody shadows across the Valley.  I pride myself on preparing for certain shots, but this one occurred with pure serendipity.  Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.