On Wednesday morning I got up early to photograph in Yosemite Valley. I knew there was fresh snow in the valley, but I was also hoping for some mist and clearing storm conditions. Sadly there was no mist – just clear blue skies. But it was still beautiful. I made the photo above in a snowy grove of oak trees.
Driving home to Mariposa I was shocked to see poppies – poppies! – along the Merced River west of rock slide detour. It just seems way too early for poppies, but apparently one warm day was all it took. Many were blooming in areas burned by the Telegraph Fire last summer.
I like the composition on this, Michael; the long rectangular format works well with the pillars of the trees on the left and right.
Those of us of a certain age will remember Glenda the Good sending snow to cover the poppies to wake the sleeping Dorothy and her companions on the Yellow Brick Road.
I’m old enough, but this connection didn’t occur to me. It’s hard to think of poppies with that evil connotation given them in the Wizard of Oz. They seem like the happiest of flowers. Anyway, glad you like the photo.