President Obama visits the parched Central Valley

President Obama’s motorcade passes a farm field in Los Banos on the way to address the state’s drought situation.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

President Obama and Gov. Brown tour Joe and Maria Gloria Del Bosque’s farm. Joe Del Bosque idled more than 2,000 acres last year and has been an outspoken critic of Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta regulations that divert water from farmers.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

At a lectern on a barren farm field, President Obama addresses the media in Los Banos. “What happens here matters to every working American right down to the cost of food you put on the table,” Obama said.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

The dry, cracked soil around President Obama speaks to the severity of the state’s drought.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

A secret service agent looks over a farm field as President Obama speaks to the media. Obama arrived in the Central Valley at a time when highway signs statewide are flashing “Serious Drought, Help Save Water” and farmers are letting fields of row crops go fallow in hopes of saving orchards.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Gov. Jerry Brown, left, President Obama and farmer Joe Del Bosque are reflected in a canal in Los Banos. The president tied the drought directly to global warming: “Unless and until we do more to combat carbon pollution that causes climate change, this trend is going to get a lot worse.”   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

A U.S. Marine watches as an Osprey helicopter lands in Los Banos. “I’m here to listen,” President Obama said. “I’m not going to wade into this. I want to get out alive on Valentine’s Day.”   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

A member of the press pool takes cover from wind and dust kicked up from the arrival of Marine One carrying President Obama.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)