Poppies along the Hite’s Cove Trail, Merced River Canyon, Sierra NF, CA, USA
Claudia and I drove up the Merced River Canyon yesterday and found that the poppy bloom has continued to expand since I last checked on Sunday. The flowers near the beginning of the Hite’s Cove Trail are near their peak, as are the other poppy patches down near the bottom of the canyon, especially across the river about three miles east of Briceburg. The bloom is spreading higher on some of the hillsides, and I’m hoping that trend will continue and we’ll see whole hillsides covered in orange like we did two years ago.
Yesterday afternoon Claudia and I walked along the beginning of the Hite’s Cove Trail, where I made the accompanying photograph. I’m always looking for patterns, and found this zigzag design on the steep hillside above the trail. This is one of the few situations where I’ve used straight-on frontlight. I usually prefer soft light (shade or overcast) for colorful subjects like this, but direct frontlight is the next-best thing, since the light is even and nearly shadowless. And since poppies only open when they’re in the sun, frontlight is sometimes the best option.
The redbuds have also made progress. About 60 percent have started to bloom, though most of those are not fully out yet. I’d guess that they’ll peak in a week or two, but you can find some photogenic specimens now.
There’s a chance of rain in the forecast next week, but until then the weather is supposed to be warm and clear. The poppies will like the sunshine, so that might help them spread further during the next few days. If we get colder temperatures, wind, and substantial rain next week that might bring the poppy season to an abrupt end, but some light showers would be fine, and might even help the bloom last longer. We really, really need the rain though, so as much as I like photographing poppies, I’d love to see some big storms even more.
— Michael Frye
P.S For more information about where to find flowers in the Merced River Canyon, see my last post, and also my Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite book and iOS app.
Related Posts: A Good Year for Poppies?; In Praise of Soft Light; Redbud and Poppies
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Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author or principal photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, Yosemite Meditations for Women, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters. He has also written three eBooks: Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom, Exposure for Outdoor Photography, and Landscapes in Lightroom 5: The Essential Step-by-Step Guide. Michael written numerous magazine articles on the art and technique of photography, and his images have been published in over thirty countries around the world. Michael has lived either in or near Yosemite National Park since 1983, currently residing just outside the park in Mariposa, California.
Yes…and poppies in the foothills are blooming too:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4068883296354&set=a.1166343134664.22891.1710489647&type=1&theater
Great – thanks for sharing!
Hi Michael,
That zigzag pattern was the first thing that caught my eye! I like the contrast of the poppies against the rock.
Thanks Vivienne!
Michael, nice catch with the Hite’s poppies thanks for the heads up the Cove trail and the redbud. The poppies look astounding for a such a dry year. I don’t know if I can get up this Sunday, but if not, I’ll try for the next. Cheers!
Thank you Paul, and you’re welcome. As I said in my previous post, dry years are often better for poppies in this area because of the lack competition from grasses.
This image is truly breathtaking and your composition is spectacular, with such a lovely series of leading lines. Outstanding!
Thanks very much Janine!
Truly awesome shot. The best poppy shot I have seen.
Doug
Thanks very much Doug!
Nice! Great composition! It’s like a waterfall of poppies!
Thank you David!
Great report and photo! How do you think the Hite Cove trail will be next weekend?
Thanks Garrett! As I said, the weather will determine how long the poppies last, and since the forecasts for next week are rather uncertain at this point it’s hard to say.
Beautiful photograph Michael! I think the swirling zigzag works beautifully in the vertical format that you chose.
Enjoy the blooms on the west coast!
Thanks Katy!
Lovely shot Michael and thanks, as always, for the information about the best time of day to shoot poppies. Is this trail wide enough to accommodate setting up a tripod or do you handhold on this particular trail?
Thanks Caitlin. Yes, the Hite’s Cove Trail is wide enough for tripods, but just barely, and you may have to move if someone needs to get by.
Is your report above from this year (2016)? We haven’t been there for a couple of years, but I recall the peak being a bit later (early April?). We were hoping to get there again this year, but were planning on waiting a few weeks… Thanks for any insights you can share!
Thanks for your recent update, Michael. Helpful as always.
Thanks Don!