Spectacular images of what appears to be a stream of lava tumbling down a cliff have emerged from one of the world's most beautiful nature reserves.

Every February, spectators can observe a stunning natural phenomenon known as a "firefall" at Yosemite National Park in the United States.

The firefall can occur at sundown for a few weeks every February, park authorities said.
"The Horsetail Fall phenomenon appears when the angle of the setting sun sets the waterfall ablaze with reds and oranges, like a fire was falling down the cliffs on the shoulder of El Capitan," according to the Yosemite National Park website.

"In late February, you'll often see rows of photographers of all levels there catching the last rays of light in the evening ... The phenomenon is typically the most stunning during middle to late February. However, the effect depends on conditions for the year, and photographers may be luckier before or after that time frame depending on the amount of water flow in Horsetail Fall, and the cloud cover."

"I Lava You" - Horsetail Fall, Yosemite National Park, CA. Each year during the second half of February, if there's enough snowpack atop El Capitan, if the temperature's warm enough to produce enough snowmelt, if the western skies are clear, and if the setting sun hits the water and spray at just the right angle, the natural phenomenon of Firefall occurs. We arrived at the park late in the afternoon this past Saturday and found a parking spot along Southside Dr. halfway between Cathedral and Sentinel beaches just as the orange glow was beginning. The place was absolutely packed for this rare show, but I found a tiny opening and wedged myself between a photographer and a tourist. Squatting on wet, slippery ice with the photographer's backside a few inches from my grill, I managed to get this shot of Firefall at its peak glow. ______________________________ Nikon D7100, Nikon 28-300. 125mm, f/14, 1/5 sec, ISO 100. Lightroom & IG. ______________________________ #firefall #yosemitenationalpark #yosemite_national_park #yosemitenation #findyourpark #nationalparkgeek #horsetailfalls #wildcalifornia #rawcalifornia #visitcalifornia #californiaholics #ignorcal #ig_waterfalls #hotshotz_water #aqua_gallery #water_brilliance #water_perfection #igworldclub_h2o #exclusive_water #water_shots #water_captures #ig_northamerica #igs_america #ig_all_americas #bw_beautifulworld #ic_february #multi_180216 #magical_shots_ #california4fun

A photo posted by Jeff (@jeffreyplui) on