The Secret Garden: "Jesus on the mainline, tell Him what you want..."

We set off at the crack of dawn (ok, 7:15). It was a dual-purpose day: goal one, get some exercise; goal two, photograph wildflowers up in The Secret Garden. But sometimes Jesus doesn't answer my prayers, and lately, it seems, He doesn't even take my calls.

On an optimistic day that's forecasted to be "partly cloudy," we are motoring Petroleus Rex up a series of FWD switchbacks under grey skies and sketchy weather. So what else is new? At least we'll get a hike in.

It looks promising...for a second.

Wildflowers don't really "pop" in poor light, and gray-sky mountain backdrops are like french kissing your same sex sibling square on the mouth. Batting .500 in baseball is great, but not so much when photographing The Secret Garden. We try to make the best of it...use "flash fill" and keep sky to a minimum; the screen reviews are not promising. But hey, were wading through wildflowers above timberline with full tummies and good health. What more could a Geezer ask of Jesus uh, make that the Universe? 
  

Grey skies and poorly lit paintbrush (yawn)

 Bobbie has a dental appointment in Montrose at 3 pm, which means we need to be home 1ish. We power-hike to The Secret Garden, lungs and legs burning like a 3 alarm fire in Hell. Given the clouds, I want to push on another mile to a barren, 13,000 foot ridge line that offers views over into the "Telluride side." But if we do—and I know this from experience—the sun's going break through as sure as spam in the inbox, and we'll miss the final show of best show on earth...and I will curse like the sailor I used to be, which probably has something to do with Jesus not taking my calls.  

Better, but still shady

So we waded wildflowers and waited...and waited...and waited. Clouds began breaking up into patchy blue skies. Sun shined on mountains all around...except on The Secret Garden. And me, all lathered up with SPF 50!  

I keep shooting "flash fill," only to get a "low battery" warning. I get two more shots before the camera's battery tanks. No, I don't have a spare...lost it a long time ago while, ironically, photographing spring wildflowers in Arid-zona. 

Fortunately, I have the 12 megapixel iPhone...which often takes photos equal to or better than my Canon Elph-ie. 

Sun over there, but not here...

Sun all around, except where I need it...

Finally, two energy bars and a nap later, the waiting pays off. I hear a choir of black Angels singing back-up to Mick: 

You can't always get what you want 

You can't always get what you want 

You can't always get what you want 

But if you try sometimes well you just might find 

You get what you need

Better...

BETTER...

ALRIGHT!!!

 Trouble is, The Secret Garden wouldn't stay lit. One stubborn cloud; I feel like Charlie Brown. 

So here's the good, the bad, and the ugly of a morning spent wandering wildflowers in The Secret Garden...now, apparently, no longer a complete secret (sigh).

Invaders!!!!

I use them as "models," without permission!!!

 Of course, after we're almost back to Petroleus Rex, the forecast materializes... fucking best light ever!!!

 and all the colored girls sing...

You can't always get what you want 

You can't always get what you want 

You can't always get what you want 

But if you try sometimes well you just might find 

You get what you need

Indeed. I got what I needed...a good hike above timberline and 10 minutes of sun.