Tag: Antelope Valley

Antelope Valley is a high desert region in northern Los Angeles County and eastern Kern County, California, covering about 3,000 square miles. Situated between the Tehachapi and San Gabriel Mountains at 2,000–7,000 feet, it features arid landscapes with Joshua trees and vibrant spring wildflowers, notably at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. Key cities, Palmdale and Lancaster, drive an economy tied to aerospace (Edwards Air Force Base), agriculture, and renewable energy. With a population of roughly 500,000, it offers hiking, stargazing, and cultural sites like the Lancaster Museum of Art and History. The climate is extreme, with hot summers, cold winters, and 4–8 inches of annual rainfall.

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, Spring 2003

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After a surprise day off, I another chance to visit the western end of Antelope Valley to play around with my camera at the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. I was not as excited this time around as the flower bloom was intense, but not nearly as spectacular just a few days before. But, a day out is a day out, and I was going to enjoy it. Nature was against us on this day, we had beautiful light, nice cloud layer to diffuse some light, and a 25 mph breeze that would just not let up all day.

A Davey Gilia stalk poking up between the California Poppies in the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve.
A Davey Gilia stalk poking up between the California Poppies in the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve.

My goal this spring was to get a nice flower shot that I would desire to blow up as a photograph, however, these conditions were not condusive towards this task and a true exercise in patience. It looks likely that I will not reach this goal this season, the flowers bloom has begun to wane, and my only hope appears to be in the foothills of the eastern sierras in a few weeks.

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