I’ve always loved the rolling hills of California’s Pacheco Pass (highway 152), especially in the springtime. The grass is green and wildflowers are everywhere. I really wanted to photograph this area but it’s a very dangerous highway and I couldn’t drive or walk.

On this particular day I had my camera with me. I had to go to Stanford Hospital and on the way home, I wanted to take some photos of some Tule Elk at the San Luis NWR. We started up the climb to Pacheco Pass and I decided to try to take some photos as I was sitting here on the back seat on the van. The skies were sunny and there weren’t any clouds. Perfect day. I had some obstacles though. I had a great view, the van had a great big window, but the glass was tinted heavily. I had to open it up almost all the way to get enough light and also freeze the landscape…remember we were traveling at 70 mile per hour.

I didn’t get any Elk that day…too far away. I did get a few good shots from the drive though. I really loved this shot. These three trees couldn’t have been more perfect and all at 70 MPH!



Three Trees at 70 MPH ~ California
Canon 300D, 17-40 @ 40mm
ISO 400, 1/800 sec, ƒ/5

Very cool, Mike! That's my old stomping ground. I used to windsurf on the San Luis Reservoir Forebay, and probably driven by that same spot a hundred times. I can't believe how green it is in the spring. In another month those hills will be golden brown. I can't believe you got that shot at 70MPH! I can't do that well standing still. Thanks for the memories. I hope your doctor's appointment went ok.

-joel

Thanks Joel!