Glacial erratic boulders atop Olmsted Point, with the massive granite monoliths Half Dome and Clouds Rest in the background. Erratics are huge boulders left behind by the passing of glaciers which carved the granite surroundings into their present-day form. When the glaciers melt, any boulders and other geologic material that it was carrying are left in place, sometimes many miles from their original location.
Location: Yosemite National Park, California
Image ID: 23264
Clouds Rest viewed from Olmsted Point. Clouds Rest is one of the most massive -- if not the singlemost massive -- granite monoliths in the world. A vast lobe of Mesozoic-era granodiorite magma cooled to rock and was gradually uplifted to its present altitude of 9926 ft. Later, glaciers cut it into its present shape.
Location: Yosemite National Park, California
Image ID: 09965
Sunset at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, with sandhill cranes silhouetted in reflection in the calm pond. Spectacular sunsets at Bosque del Apache, rich in reds, oranges, yellows and purples, make for striking reflections of the thousands of cranes and geese found in the refuge each winter.
Species: Sandhill crane, Grus canadensis
Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico
Image ID: 21804
Torrey Pines State Reserve at Night, stars and clouds fill the night sky with the lights of La Jolla visible in the distance.
Location: Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego, California
Image ID: 28405
Panorama dimensions: 6607 x 12076
San Diego City Skyline viewed from Harbor Island, storm clouds at sunrise.
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 28843
Panorama dimensions: 4066 x 13502