My April 2023 Photo of the Month is LM324, an image of a vernal pool in San Diego County’s Laguna Mountains.
LM324 Background
In this Southern California Spring season, I found myself more interested in the presence of water than wildflowers.
Even in relatively dry years, we still have some level of flower activity in our chaparral hills and forests. But the 2022-2023 season offered over a dozen significant atmospheric rivers, which was much more unusual in this arid region.
In a couple of my previous Photo of the Month posts, vernal pools were my selections. These ephemeral and seasonal phenomena support a wide range of flora and fauna. And because of the coming hot months, they are a joy to behold.
That continues this year. Lake Cuyamaca was as large as I can remember in my time living in San Diego County. And the feeder streams, like the one in this image, had plenty of water, something I can only remember a handful of times. In areas like this, where the flow is slow, an actual pool emerges.
It is remarkable to think that this will be totally dry in 30-60 days, but that is how our region exists. So for these moments, when California has so much water, it is meaningful to stop, slow down, reflect, and enjoy the moment.
Thank you for viewing, and I hope you enjoy the image.
Further Viewing
Photos of the Month Portfolio Archive
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T.M. Schultze is a San Diego-based photographer, traveller, and writer. He writes, photographs, and draws things of the outdoors that have inspired humans for thousands of years. He co-authored the Photographer’s Guide to Joshua Tree Park which can be purchased here.