So many great features make up Yosemite National Park. One specific seems to draw a huge number of people to it: the meadow.

One of my favorite meadows is Awhanee Meadow in Yosemite Valley. Below are two images I took while on my one day excursion last November. The fog in the early morning was really amazing. I thought of using one of the black and white presets I have to bring out a little drama to the meadow.

Even though meadows seem very inviting, people don’t realize that they are not only beautiful, but very fragile. Meadows hold an entire ecosystem all of their own. When a human enters a meadow, they can do damage that can take years, if not decades, to repair.

While there are signs surrounding most meadows in the park which state “Area Closed: Restoration in Progress”, people still take it upon themselves to venture out into the open landscape.

When I took the images of Awhanee Meadow that morning, there was nobody around, but when I returned in the afternoon, small groups of people had disregarded the signs and were playing in the meadow. That didn’t make me feel too great.

Please remember when you visit ANY national or state park, obey all signs. The National Park Service puts those signs there for a reason. If you see a sign that says “Area Closed: Restoration in Progress”, please respect the sign and the area and stay out. Let’s keep America beautiful and treasured!

Have a great week everyone!