Some images from this past weekend on the Porter and Brothers Ranch properties in Watsonville. Both are owned and managed by the Elkhorn Slough Foundation. I spent Saturday afternoon scouting both locations for photo ops and on Sunday gave a tour to fellow photographers Efren Adalmen and his lovely wife Denise. California poppies were out in full bloom and the lupine are not far behind. About another 2 -3 weeks and the hills should be a patchwork of purple.
This winter has been particularly dry with the months of January and February recording record low rainfall. Despite the lack of precipitation and a very sparse spring wildflower season, I was able to locate a few isolated fields of sky lupine during a recent project for the Elkhorn Slough Foundation to document some of the spectacular native oaks on their protected properties. I’ve included a couple of shots from Harkins Slough which is adjacent to Foundation property but actually owned by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County. Some of the most abundant lupines were located on ranch properties and many a cow patty had to be dodged to acquire these images. The hillsides have already started their transition from vibrant green to golden brown and this year’s fire season is shaping up to be a particularly dangerous one.
