Vernal Fall in Yosemite National Park, California, USA

In full flow. Yosemite in full flow

This spectacular scene is Vernal Fall in Yosemite National Park, in the US state of California. At this time of year, the waterfall flows in a torrent over the edge of this cliff, but by late summer it can be reduced to a trickle of small streams. Vernal Fall is usually at full power by May, as the spring thaw in the mountains melts the snowpack, which becomes a raging tumble of water as it makes its way to the valley floor.