Moving Target
At some locations, returning to them when you believe they will be at peak, seems to be as effective as tossing feathers at a moving target.
For five years, Philip Reedy has been returning to the North Fork of the Yuba River and Lavezzola Creek. On each return, his frustration grew as successive scenes weren’t as good as the first time he visited.
So, Phil and his fishing buddy, John Bernard, returned to the North Yuba this week, both to see if Patchy Darmera, photographed last week, had developed and to work a particular location and capture an image Phil had envisioned for a fly fishing publication.
Seen above, the photo they crafted satisfies Phil’s objectives of a “sharp, well-lit image with John and the floating fly in the frame.” It was intended that peak color glowed in the background, as well. While they were satisfied with the result, John and Phil found the North Fork of the Yuba to be disappointing.
A year ago, lush peaking stands of Darmera along Lavezzola Creek were ruined in a sudden downpour. Last week, Lavezzola Creek was again lined with Near Peak Indian Rhubarb, and Phil hoped to return to a stupefying scene. But on this recent visit, few of the Darmera “were exhibiting their usual splendor.” And, the vibrant fall color seen emerging from the conifers in 2017 was missing.
Phil, maybe that’s the point. Perhaps for Indian Rhubarb (Darmera) to be exceptional, every condition needs to be met. 2017 might have been the exception, not the “usual.”
Philip Reedy found perfection the first year he photographed Lavezzola Creek in 2017. What he captured then, he says, “was by far the best.” So, Phil returns each year, “hoping for a repeat of that.” Though attaining perfection at this location is illusory.
Phil has now given up along the N Fork of the Yuba … for this year. With a storm arriving on Sunday, which is expected to settle upon the Northern Sierra through Wednesday, “It’s questionable how worthwhile a trip up there will be for any more color this year. Darmera that looked nice a week ago have now died off. So, only patches remain.”
Reedy has not abandoned photographing autumn, however. He’s off to scout the lower elevations of Butte and Big Chico creeks and writes, “I’ve never been there in the fall, so it will be a new adventure. And who knows, I might even get in some fly fishing shots.”
- N Fork Yuba River, Downieville (2,966′) – PEAK to Past Peak, GO NOW, You almost missed it.
