"Goldfield Bonanza"

Landscape photography is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. I had far different visions of what I would be getting on this day. I covered alot of miles, probably 120 or so, to get this. I could have stopped along the way to get the more conventional shots of these wildflowers, but I had an overwhelming pre-visual that pushed me past the more ordinary possibilities. It was quite an adventure. I travelled many of those miles across what many would consider "high clearance 4-wheel drive" primitive roads. Something kept pushing me to follow roads I had never traversed, and my Mitsubishi Lancer (I call her Mitzy) was in a panic much of the trip. She is not designed for such, but I can coax the best from her. The final leg had us skirting the ridge line along the spine of the Temblor Range mountains overlooking the Carrizo Plain and Soda Lake. As I neared the top, it all came together with about 20 minutes to spare before the sun would vanish behind the horizon. If it didn't come together at that time, well, a long tail between my legs would have been all that was left. The yellow flowers that carpet this slope are goldfields I believe. They are much like a sunflower or yellow daisy. To the right you will notice a tinge of orange; poppies that have closed up for the night. Clear skies quickly filled in with layered clouds just as the sun set, finishing my composition. In a month or so, this slope will be brown and appear lifeless. Today, a "Goldfield Bonanza" and a perfect ending!

Thanks for your input. The Larger preview makes this come to life!