wildflower locations

On Tuesday morning I photographed wildflowers
east of Arvin on Rt. 223. I experienced some
of the most beautiful wildflowers that I've ever
seen. The meadows were full and ran for several
miles. Arriving there about 10:30, I was able to
photograph for sevral hours with great lighting
as it was an overcast day with no harsh contrasty
light. It's at its peak; so go soon.

From there I went to the Wind Wolves Preserve off
of State Rt.166 about 10 miles west of Interstate 5.
By the time I got there the light was not good. I
started to walk a trail toward a sea of blue when
an official stopped me, telling me that the preserve
was closed on weekdays except by appointment for
groups such as schools for field trips. The public
can go in on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 to 5:00.

I asked him how I could find a route to the Lupine
covered fields at the base of the Grapevine. He told
me to go toward the Grapevine on Interstate 5 and take
the first exit--Laval. I tried that taking East Laval,
and after driving 5 or 10 miles to no avail turned around
and went back. I crossed Interstate 5 and tried West Laval
to no luck. West Laval simply deadends only a half mile from
the freeway. It's just an exit for a truck stop, gasoline
stations, and restaurants. I noticed that there were white
painted wooden fences at the end of West Laval. I'm now
wondering if daring photographers jump the fence and trek
the half mile or so to get to the fields of Lupine. It looks
to me that to do so would be trespassing on ranch land.
Right now that area is at peak and beautiful from Interstate 5.

Does anyone know how to access that area? Also let me know as
well as others of other worthwhile places to photograph wild-
flowers this spring. Thank you.

So, while at Arvin did you fence hop? For me it was not that great just shooting from behind the fence along the 223??

Yeah,

I actually have the same question as I am considering taking my family somewhere to see wildflowers. I read somewhere else about a photographer getting in trouble for trespassing recently. I am not saying I haven't thought about it or done it on occasion myself. But I would really like to avoid it.

Thanks for the good info Robert!

Derek

I was out at Arvin on March 13. Arrived at 10am and hopped the fence and shot for about a hour till someone driving a pickup truck stopped behind my car and got irritated with a few of us. he said he was security, but would not say from where... Told us we wer trwespassing eventhough there were zero signs anywhere along the fencing...

I tried finding out who owns the property and figured it was Tejon Ranch, but never got a call back from them regarding the area...

Yes, the fence hop thing is out in my book. Like most I have done it, however, in my older age I've slowed to a point I cannot out run 9mm rounds or even guard dogs any longer.
Truthfully, it is always really a matter of respect for the owner of the property.
As it turns out, I was shooting right on the edge of a property fence line this morning arriving at the site just before sunrise. Where I wanted and needed to be was passed the fence and gate, but knew better. As I set up and started taking shots, low and behold here comes the property owner driving down from his home with two German sheperds in the bed of his pickup. I already knew these dogs were of the guard dog type as they had been yapping in the distance as soon as I arrived. Lucky for me, although the owner was very concerned at first, he immediately showed high interest in what I was actually doing. As a result he merely asked that I send him through his own business internet site some images for review once I got the work back.

No, Eric, I did not fence hop. I respect the rights of property owners, plus I don't want a
citation.

Tejon Ranch can get kinda touchy about photographers glorifying their property. They own the property in Gorman off of the I-5 and there was some talk about turning it into a flower preserve--you can bet that this got them a little upset about eminent domain for some flowers.

thanks Warren for bumping that rumour I floated in 2003...Gorman National Park

http://www.davidsenesac.com/images/03i3-35.jpg

I was just out in the King's River valley, north of highway 180, don't have pictures ready yet, but man it's fantastic! Poppies, lupines, and other flowers everywhere. Much of the land is fenced off, but there's also some good pieces you can access, and I talked to some people and they said the ranchers wouldn't mind if you hopped a fence to shoot some pictures (though I'd avoid the non-ranch land).

Thanks for the information, Floris. That's not too long of a drive for me. When you say
north of Hwy 180, I assume that you mean east of Fresno. HWY 180 runs west of Fresno
as well as east. I hope that you soon post some of your wildflower shots.

Robert - yes, sorry, to be specific E Trimmer road up to Piedra, on past there, as well as on Elwood Road. That whole area is just green hills upon hills, many of which have large orange patches of poppies and others.

Thanks, Floris, for the detailed directions. I'm going to try to make a trip there
during the next three days.