Poppies & Cream Cups

I'm hoping that the Poppy Preserve near Lancaster, California will get another show as good as the one I saw several years ago.  There are acres and acres of California Poppies on the hillsides and when they bloom, they turn to gold. 

"Poppies & Cream Cups"     © Kathy Dunham 2011

Pink Poppy

I always enjoy going to France to see the poppies.  Red ones, orange ones, pink ones.  When you live in the California desert the only poppies you get to see are California Poppies.  Don't get me wrong, I love it when the fields are covered with them.  But the oriental poppy is more stately and elegant. 

"Pink Poppy"   © Kathy Dunham 2011

Gazinias

Gazinias are used mainly for ground cover.  They spread well and are easy maintenance.  However, they are light sensitive, so don't plant them in areas that don't get a lot of sun or they won't open.  Amazing how some flowers fall into this category.  California poppies, cactus flowers and caliandria leaves. 

"Gazinias"      © Kathy Dunham 2010

Hills of Gold

We've had a lot of rain the past few days but the silver lining in all this is the potential we have for a great wildflower season.  Good rains in the fall followed by good rains this time of year should provide us with a banner year.  This shot was taken 2 years ago at the California Poppy Preserve near Lancaster.  Well worth the trip to see the hills covered with California Gold.

"Hills of Gold"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Poppy @ Sunset

I love searching fields in the French countryside for poppies.  Some years are better than others.  In a good year they're everywhere creating a blanket of red.  Some years they are far and few between.  Getting the light right is always a challenge and the late light on this one cast a slight yellow glow to the petals.


"Poppy @ Sunset"      © Kathy Dunham 2009

California Gold

The poppies haven't started to bloom yet but it's getting close. The California Poppy Preserve outside Lancaster offers spectacular views of hillsides covered with acres and acres of golden poppies.

"California Gold" © Kathy Dunham 2009

High Flyin' Pony

I spent most of the afternoon setting up for an art festival on turf that is normally used by these lovely creatures, polo ponies. It's amazing the transformation from a battle field of thundering hooves to 270 tented booths of artists and their beautiful creations. So for this weekend, it'll be a lot quieter without the polo ponies.

"High Flyin' Pony" © Kathy Dunham 2009

White Poppies

Spring isn't here yet, but when I found these white poppies in France this year I was amazed. I've never seen white California Poppies. Let alone in France. They were stunning when mixed in with the brilliant orange flowers.

"White Poppies" © Kathy Dunham 2008