Seeing California’s spring wildflowers has long been on my bucket list. With the long drought quenched by soaking rains the past few months, this year’s bloom promised to be a big one. I am most fortunate to have friends in SoCal willing to take me to see the show at Walker Canyon, Lake Elsinore and wow, what a mind-blowing event it was. The tiny people on the far ridge above give you an idea of how vast the coverage was, 180 degrees of mountain vistas covered with California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) and several other wildflowers.
Below is a slideshow to enjoy–
Eliza Waters 
I just saw a segment on the news this morning about the California poppies and how wonderful that you were able to see that amazing beauty on your trip! Stunning colors and photos and I loved your slideshow!🙂
Thank you very much. I am so lucky I saw it before the crowds became insane. The town had to shut the place down on Sunday. So many people live in SoCal!
Stunning!That rivals our heather!
Thanks, Sue. It is similar in scope and beauty, for sure! I’d love to see the heather bloom one day myself. 🙂
I’d rather like to see the poppies too 🙂
Aim to visit in March or April. 🙂
Then home in time for the bluebells ? 🙂
Ah, another gorgeous thing to behold. One could easily follow blooms all over the world!
That would be a true pilgrimage.
Sign me up! 😉
Me too!
Wow!
It really was incredible!
incredible. I was down that way, not that long ago myself-but before the bloom. By the way, did you happen to see a ton of butterflies down there?
Yes, I saw the beginning of the Painted Lady migration, which was astonishing. They were flying so straight that it was clear they were on a mission! Estimates are in the millions, possibly a billion! Wow, so amazing to see.
Honest to goodness, I think I would be so excited I’d wet my pants. Breathtaking..and giving, I suppose.
Yes, nature can be so amazing.
How wonderful. Beautiful photos!
Thank you, Belinda!
As spectacular as they are in that region, they used to be just as spectacular over a much larger region. Sadly, they are getting crowded out by invasive exotic specie. I can remember when the hills south of San Jose used to bloom like this.
It was evident that human development is encroaching on a lot of wild land in CA. So many people!!
Nowadays, encroachment extends more into desert regions, such as the Antelope Valley, where California poppies had been safer from invasive exotic plant species.
Reblogged this on Another Picture On The Wall and commented:
Here is another blog that I enjoy very much. Check out here recent post regarding the extraordinary bloom of poppies in Southern California.
Thanks for reblogging, Gary!
What a stunning sight to behold.
It truly was – thanks, Alison!
Wow – how utterly gorgeous!
Thanks, Fi. I felt fortunate to have timed my visit so well. 🙂
Disregard my question on your recent post. Wow!! Just wow!!!
Super wow! 😀
Ooooh! So glad to have a slideshow of this to enjoy. I saw the pictures from space, but it’s nice to see a bit (make that a lot) closer.
Thanks, Susan. Glad you enjoyed the tour. I took hundreds of photos – I couldn’t help myself!
I can imagine.
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Nature’s best dressed 💜💜
Indeed!
💜💜
Thanks to Sue and Eliza for sharing. A haiku to mark my appreciation:
varied colour bloom
hills dress with floral patterns
with breath holding skirts
fresh fragrance in air
verdant vista, rolling hills
intoxicated
Dr. Lim Keng Huat,, http://www.wonkywizard.wordpress.com
Beautifully penned, Lim, thank you!
Thank you. I have added another three lines.
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
California wildflowers brought by the rains.
Thank you for reblogging, Suzanne.
Thanks, Eliza and Sue for the beautiful pictures of wildflowers in California. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thank you, Suzanne.
Breathtaking views…
Thank you, Aziz!
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A big state with lots to see, drought or no drought. Many diverse eco systems in this state; mountains, desert, coastal rainforest, grasslands, etc.
And I love it all! 🙂
I have long loved the California Poppy, although I have never see it in such wonderful quantity.
Billions in bloom is definitely an amazing sight to see.
So beautiful. I lived in San Raphael when I was in HS. California has so many beautiful places, such as this.
Thank you, Kathy. CA is a beautiful state with many wild places to balance out the urban sprawl. The traffic always amazes me!
WOW!! What a spectacular view!! I’ve always been curious what it would be like to see this natural display of splendor! Seeing your photos almost made me feel like I was there. Thank you for that! ❤️
You must have been in awe standing there with wide open views of these wildflowers?
Thank you, Holly. It truly was an awesome 180 degree view of miles and miles of flowers. I only regret that the area has since suffered a lot of damage due to trampling, where folks left the road and went into the flowers. The damage will last for years. Sad, but many don’t understand just how fragile the habitat is.
Great images. What a great time to visit there!
Thank you, Maria. I really lucked out in my timing, so pleased to see this!
You’re most welcome, Eliza. 🙂 — Suzanne
Eliza,amazing work.
The wonders of God leve me speechless all time.
Amazing photos capture .🙂🌈
Thank you, Sorina!
Amazing
It truly was!
It looks stunning
Oh, it really was – I was so lucky to see it. Thanks for your visit and comment!
Stunning photos!
Thank you, Antonia!
You’re most welcome, Eliza. These were beautiful pictures. —- Suzanne