Bob Crum

I'm reasonably sure that y'all recently saw or heard the news about the poppy superbloom out in the Lake Elsinore area. As much as I enjoy photographing poppies, I was not about to participant in that melee.

Last week I got word that the Antelope Valley (AV) poppy bloom was in full glory. This is good news! The AV poppy bloom was sparse to nonexistent the past several years from the drought.

Off I went and got my poppy itch scratched last Sunday. Almost perfect weather, 70° with a slight breeze blowing in bursts with calm sessions between mild bursts. Wind bursts annoying but tolerable. In one particular area, I saw a nice batch of poppies. No sooner did I lift the camera, whoosh, the wind increased tossing the poppies around. Wait a little and the air was again calm. During the calm spells, I made many photos. Patience rules the day.

This year I was bewildered. I've been photographing those delightful wildflowers for many years. In years past, there were vast fields where a gazillion poppies bloomed but nothing there this year. Further down the road, poppies where I had never seen them before. Nevertheless, there were plenty of new areas in which to photograph these golden delights and away from most of the mob. I avoided the tourist-packed Poppy Reserve off Lancaster Road. Of course, 90% of the people were phonetographers taking “snapshots”! They were like ants at a party featuring Reese's peanut butter cups.

Once plentiful in the AV, Joshua trees-also called izote de desierto (Spanish for desert dagger)-some still exist in a few areas in the AV. I recognize that most people are ambivalent about Joshua trees. However, their unusual growth patterns make them very photogenic. To my surprise and delight, my favorite little Joshua tree grove is in full bloom.

Having scouted the area, and surmising that the poppies will still be blooming for another week, I will conduct a field trip/photography workshop for the poppies and Joshua trees on Sunday, 3/31, contingent on the weather. Workshop fee: $25.00, cash only paid on Sunday. No phonetographers! Participants must have a camera and must know how to use it. Auto mode is OK. Bring a polarizing filter for your lens. The workshop is about 'seeing' and making compelling compositions with proper exposure, not about how to use your camera. If the weather on scene turns nasty, fees paid promptly refunded. I'm in no hurry to buy a yacht!

As I write this on Monday, I see that 6-9 knot wind is forecast. That's about like last Sunday. If we got there at the right time, we might have a good photo shoot before it got too windy. Timing is tricky. No need to be on the scene too early because poppies don't open until the sun warms them up a little. Too windy and they don't open. The optimum time is from about 9:30 am to 2 pm. That's a substantial photographic window of opportunity.

Please note that I require a minimum of five participants and no more than ten. If five photographers don't show up at departure time, it's a no go! If you're interested, please email me by 6 pm Saturday 3/30/19 and consider your email a commitment. I can take one person in my Ford F-350 pickup. Email me with your questions.

The photo of the week is, of course, California poppies I recently photographed in the Antelope Valley. See the photo in color at: fillmoregazette.com. Happy photoing.

Sent comments, questions or suggestions to: focusonphotography.com