Soda Lake Road near Elkhorn Road, Carrizo Plain National Monument, San Luis Obispo County, CA, 3/30/2017
When photographing landscapes, it is helpful to have potential locations in mind before the decisive moment. The previous year, I visited Carrizo Plain and discovered this hillside covered with hillside daisies (Monolopia lanceolata). Unfortunately, I was a few days late, and half the flowers were wilted. On my second visit, I arrived here at the perfect hour and knew exactly what I wanted to do. Now there were many more flowers, the blossoms were at their peak of beauty, and the sky had dramatic clouds! This hill is adjacent to a seasonal alkaline pond downhill from Soda Lake Road near the southern end of the Monument. Following the previous winter's heavy rains during an extended drought, California was enjoying a rare super bloom!
