There is a silver lining to all that crazy winter weather we had this year, and that is the incredible California wildflower super-bloom this spring.
I was worried that I would miss it since we had gone to New Mexico, where we experienced some horrendous winds. I love New Mexico, but this year wasn’t the best. By the time we got back through Arizona and into California, I thought the super-bloom might be over, but fortunately not!
On my list was a place Ray and I scouted out years ago, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve near Lancaster, California.
As we drove out there, we could see bright orange patches in the hillside and couldn’t believe we could see the poppies from so far away. The closer we got, the more intense the colours became.
These colours were so bright and saturated, they almost hurt the eyes! Just for the record, I did not increase the saturation in these photos. This is what it really looked like.
I feel so lucky to have had the chance to get out and see this. I haven’t been doing much photography lately because of some medical issues. I was in pain for two days after spending an hour walking around the poppy reserve photographing flowers with my lightest camera and lens. I really wanted to spend all day there and get out my macro lens and really go to town, but that isn’t in the cards for me right now.
I find it quite hard dealing with this setback, but getting out amongst the wildflowers reminds me that the beauty in the world is there to be enjoyed. Things might not be perfect, but I’m still here and there are good and beautiful things to experience. I needed this.
I made all of the images above with my Sony A6000 and the 16-70mm Zeiss Lens (I love that lens, so sharp!). I then did basic raw processing in Lightroom and finished them off in Luminar.
Since I haven’t been able to get out as much, I’ve been spending time playing with digital art in photoshop. I made the image below using Topaz Impression and applying a couple of overlays. It’s a pretty simple edit, but I hope you enjoy it!
Great photos Anne. Thanks for sharing them!
Glad you enjoyed them Larry, thanks for your comments 🙂
Gorgeous photos, Anne! What a blessing to have seen this in person. So sorry to hear about your health struggles. It’s heart breaking when you can’t do what you love! You are in my prayers.
Thank you so much, I appreciate that Ingrid. It’s a difficult transition to make. I might not be able to do as much as I am used to, for a while anyway, but I will find a way to continue on! Thanks for your visit and comments.
I knew you were going to have some beautiful pictures when I saw Rays video posted. And boy are they. Sorry about dealing with the pain issues. But the pictures are priceless. And I do like the digital pic. Very cool.
Many thanks Pete! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the digital art version since I have been doing more and more of that lately. The poppy reserve was a spectacular place to see and I’m so happy I got a chance to photograph there during the super bloom.
Beautiful, Anne!
Thanks Laurie!
Oh, WOW, Anne, what beautiful photos of the bloom! I love-love-love(!) the “artsy” one. I hope you’ll create more digital artworks.
My thoughts are with you as you deal with your health condition. I do sympathize as I have some difficult health “things” too that keep me from doing what I want to do (such as photography). Your photos cheer me up and help keep me going. Thank you.
P.S. I was so sorry to find out that your dear Angie had died. I viewed Ray’s video, sad but a wonderful tribute to a beloved beagle. It was always delightful to see her in the photos and videos.
BTW, I’m following you on Instagram.
Thank you so much for your kind comments Suzy! We miss little Angie. It’s funny how you get used to doing things a certain way when you have a dog. Now we have more freedom than before, but we do miss her company. Thanks for saying my photos cheer you up, that means so much to me since finding happiness why I make the images in the first place 🙂 I really appreciate your wonderful comments.
Simply amazing Anne, its such an incredible display of natures beauty. Until this year I did not know that a bloom like this existed. A spectacular scene, breathtaking! I hope there were moments that the beauty overwhelmed you and your pain was forgotten for awhile.
The Digital art photo is also perfect, photography can always be much more than just a photo. Both of them tell a great story!
Thanks for sharing Anne!
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments Dale. Indeed, it was so beautiful there I was overwhelmed with the scenery and not thinking about the pain at all. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the digital art version as well 🙂
What wonderful scenes, absolutely gorgeous, nothing to match that here in the UK. I like the arty one too, that works well, but would I prefer the original: not sure. Those poppies confound my understanding that the ground has to have been disturbed for the poppy seeds to germinate, as in the case of ‘Flanders fields’ and my garden too.
Very sorry to learn of your handicap – perhaps that pesky back again – and also of your loss of Angie, she’ll be sorely missed I’m sure.
Hi Don, thanks for your comments. The poppies were so thick like a carpet, it was absolutely unbelievable. I know that when people walk in the field (against all the signs advising them not to) they create spots where the poppies don’t grow. I guess they get killed before they get a chance to sprout, I’m not really sure.
Angie is sorely missed. I’ve had a dog in my life for 22 years so it’s hard getting used to the absence. But it will make travelling easier. We go to so many places where dogs are not allowed on the trails. Still we really miss her.
Love your photos – I follow you on Tumblr and can see you have visited so many places.
Thank you Sandy. Yes, I love to travel and see new places, that’s my passion along with photography.
Love the Digital Art! I have been thinking about using similar techniques. I somehow do more thinking than doing! Sorry to hear about your health problems, but I see that you are making good use of your time. Better take a leaf out of your book.
Thanks Garry! The digital art is a lot of fun and it’s something I can do on the days when I am not up to making new photos. It’s a whole new world of art! Thanks for your visit and comments.
I commented back in April about your super bloom photos, which were gorgeous, but this comment is about something different. I’m in the middle of watching Ray’s video titled, “Updates on 20 of My RV Product Reviews…” in which he says he does a lot of the cooking. Now there’s a husband who’s definitely a keeper, one who handles not only the RV stuff, but can COOK, too! I’m definitely impressed, but maybe not quite as impressed as I am with your photos and photographic expertise (am kidding, Ray). Actually both of you are equally impressive. Thank you both for giving the rest of us a wonderful vicarious experience of travel and photography. I hope you’re feeling better, Ann. (I now know what it means to have chronic pain). Take it easy.
Hi Suzy, oh yeah, Ray’s definitely a keeper!!! Thank you so much for your very kind comment. I try my best to be as impressive as Ray, but that’s not an easy task 🙂 Glad you are enjoying both of our blogs, I appreciate it.