On Wednesday evening when we started our hike from Paradise, we could see only fog. After gaining around 600', the fog began to lift. Soon the fog was below us and the mountain in clear view. The next morning we left our campsite a little before sunrise to drive up to Paradise before the crowds.
A little public service announcement regarding the wildflowers and trails of Paradise should you choose to visit: please stay on the marked trails.There were two other photographers out in the same area as me on Thursday morning, and I saw both decide to walk and shoot off trail. Please, please, don't do this. Photographers, your photograph is not more valuable than the experience of the visitors who follow you.
In all of my photography I make a point of obeying the regulations. I would feel guilty sharing and especially marketing a photo that I knew wasn't taken in a sustainable way. I absolutely understand the temptation. There are beautiful distant displays that would make amazing foregrounds, but those displays are in part there because of those who obey signs and don't tread on plants or decommissioned trails to get to them. Thank you so much to all those who obey the rules and help preserve the beautiful meadow.
It truly is a beautiful place at all times of day. Oh, what a Paradise.
Taken from the trail
Taken from the trail
The trail in this photo was at one point plants. Sure, it's dirt now, but if people keep walking on it, the flowers will never grow back.