Landscape & Nature Photographer — Lightroom Expert & Tutor
Observations, thoughts and impressions from a hike in San Diego’s back country, through the burn scar of the 2020 Valley Fire. “Within tears, find hidden laughter. Seek treasures amid ruins.” (Rumi)
Even after more than ten years in Southern California, the lushness after winter rains still amazes me. In early to mid January, the landscape and vegetation can appear as if it was at the peak of spring, already.
It feels like there’s always time for some Southern California “summertime hues”, and I’m still collecting images for a portfolio themed around that topic and its colors and subjects. So far however, it doesn’t look as coherent as I’d like to, so perhaps more images are needed.
When summer arrives, it’s still a bit of a surprise to me, every year, that I find the drying vegetation and its colors quite charming, and worth photographing. One wouldn’t expect that this is a good time to make photos of the Southern California landscape and its plant communities — but then I’m out for a morning run on a local trail and think “dang, this is beautiful!” and have to return with the camera.
The drying chaparral and sage scrub hillsides on the trails near our house in Rancho Bernardo are taking on their typical summer color — California Buckwheat is in bloom. It’s an important staple for insects as we enter the hot and dry summer months in earnest.
Photos and story from my chaparral hike to San Mateo Peak, in the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness.