In this way the volume of the upper branches of the river is nearly doubled during the day, rising and falling as regularly as the tides of the sea.

Then the Merced overflows its banks, flooding the meadows, sometimes almost from wall to wall in some places, beginning to rise towards sundown just when the streams on the fountains are beginning to diminish, the difference in time of the daily rise and fall being caused by the distance the upper flood streams have to travel before reaching the Valley.

In the warmest weather they seem fairly to shout for joy and clash their upleaping waters together like clapping of hands; racing down the canyons with white manes flying in glorious exuberance of strength, compelling huge, sleeping boulders to wake up and join in their dance and song, to swell their exulting chorus.
In early summer, after the flood season, the Yosemite streams are in their prime, running crystal clear, deep and full but not overflowing their banks--about as deep through the night as the day, the difference in volume so marked in spring being now too slight to be noticed.

Nearly all the weather is cloudless and everything is at its brightest--lake, river, garden and forest with all their life.

Most of the plants are in full flower.