Mt. Hamilton Road, Joseph D. Grant County Park, Santa Clara County, CA, 3/11/2006
On this late winter afternoon in Halls Valley the clouds beckoned to be photographed. All day they were fascinating, a continuous parade of cumulus beauties traveling inland from the Pacific Ocean. The billowy formations were so striking and unusual that I kept watch, looking for compatible scenery to pair with them in a worthwhile composition. I was happy to find this spot by Mt. Hamilton Road from which each mound was echoed by a dormant tree below! I had traveled with a pair of friends to Joseph D. Grant County Park near San Jose, CA this day to explore and make photos. Experience had taught me that producing serious photographs while in the company of people can be challenging. This day proved to be no exception. One of my companions was angry because his shoes became covered with mud while we hiked the trails in the park. By the time I spotted this scene I knew he wanted to leave and so I moved very fast to capture the moment on film. This was my final photograph for the day. In this part of the country clouds like these are rare and seen only in winter if they occur at all. At an elevation of 1,680 feet above sea level, we're facing south-southeast toward Panochita Hill, whose outline can barely be seen at center through the branches of the most prominent oak. The grasslands and majestic oak trees here are characteristic of the east foothills of Santa Clara Valley. The oak-woodland community at Grant Park includes such species as the Blue, Black, Live, and Valley Oaks. Several of these varieties become dormant in winter and form attractive silhouettes.
