Capay Valley is an agricultural gem near Sacramento, California, and if you're ever near Sactown in the springtime, it's well worth the short drive. The valley is famous for it's sea of almond orchards that roll up and down the beautiful green hills, like waves of the ocean. And the drive is down a narrow two-lane road with the frequent pothole from years of neglect and large trucks carrying heavy loads in and out of the orchards. Be careful when looking away from the road to grab your latte or you might wind up wearing it (like I did).
Once a year, typically in March, the Capay Valley Almond Festival brings people flocking down those precarious roads to see the rolling white blossoms and get their fill of almond goodies. I prefer to travel to the valley before or after the festival to avoid the crowds so I can leisurely stop on the roadside to grab some pictures. It was during one of these country drives that I came across something unexpected. I had seen nothing but pink petals for miles on this two lane road when up ahead, I saw a bright yellow through my windshield. I had no idea that I would come across this stunning scene, a field of yellow mustard alongside a muddy dirt road.
I parked at the end of the road and walked down to capture a few shots with these yellow, green and blue layers of mother nature's artwork. The clouds were blowing across the sky quickly, changing the dappled light on the hills every few seconds, sometimes covering the sun to give this scene a completely different feel.
It was breezy and the dragonflies seemed to enjoy riding the wind, while the bees were hunkered down on the blossoms below. It's photographs like this that remind me to appreciate the moments between the bright colors of nature, the nutty flavor of a warm latte and country roads with plenty of potholes.
