"January in April"

This will probably look out of place in my "Spring 2010" folder. For over a month, I have been shooting wildflowers. On this morning, I decided to go to this location to see if the flowers were coming in at the higher elevations. I'm sure many of you are like me. I often go to bed the night before a early morning shoot with certain expectations and pre-visualizations. I was expecting storm clouds to be parting as the sun breaks through with colorful wildflowers in the foreground. I wasn't expecting a winter wonderland. That's what I love about this part of California. Even in late April, the elevation variances can dish out these surprises. The clouds broke up for about 15 minutes, long enough to catch the distant mountain ridges peeking through. If not for that, I think the image would have failed to have any impact. The wildflowers in the valley are all but gone. The wildflowers at elevations over 3,500 feet are still waiting for warmer weather. That may not come until mid May. January in April spells February in May if I do the math right. I'm doubtful my math is correct! I think you will get more from the Larger version.

Excellent capture ...........Regards Kawan

Generally, Mark, black and white ain't your forte!  You'd be a color guy most of the time.  Well, Amigo, you knocked one out of the park on this.  I am pretty darned discriminating on black and whites, and this is a dandy.  There's a lot going on; and the tonal range is superb!  Personally, I feel like I am standing there, on that ridge-top, peering through the fog down into the valley just as the sun tries to fight its way up through the clouds.  You can't ask for more!  Superb conversion, Mark!  Cheers!  Chris

Thanks Kawan and Chris for your favorable comments! The color palette was very monochromatic for this, so the b&w treatment just seemed more appropriate!