NATURE'S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY
WINNER

Wildflowers

Carrizo Plain National Monument,
San Luis Obispo County,
California, USA
By Edward Nuñez
Fremont, California, USA

The Carrizo Plain in the eastern San Joaquin Valley is the largest single native grassland in California. Stretching along the base of the Temblor Mountains and the San Andreas Fault, its 250,000 acres provide a wide range of habitats, making it ideal for the longterm conservation of many endangered and rare flora and fauna. The re-establishment of native plants is studied and planned in this rural, isolated region to save such species as the California jewelflower. The Carrizo Plain was established as a national monument in 2001.

“During a short time each spring, usually in March, the hills of the Carrizo Plain are painted as if by the strokes of an artist’s brush with a soft, pastel palette. On my visit I was greeted by weather perfect for photographing the stunning vista of yellow coreopsis, orange San Joaquin blazing star, and purple phacelia flowers in full bloom.” —EN

Nikon D700; 12-24mm lens at 18mm; circular polarizer glass filter; 1/30 sec at ƒ/22; ISO 400; Feisol tripod; Acratech V2 Ultimate ballhead.