California’s rainy winter brought a stellar season of spring wildflowers.
The past few months have been a splendid celebration of the state’s natural botanical heritage.
“Where flowers bloom so does hope.”
~Lady Bird Johnson
“The earth laughs in flowers.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
“I must have flowers, always, and always.”
~ Claude Monet
Beautiful photographs.
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Sue.
LikeLike
A beautiful exhibition of colorful spring! I think smell the flowers!
LikeLike
What a wonderful compliment, Jacinto. Thank you!
LikeLike
Perfection!!
LikeLike
Thank you, Madhu! 😀
LikeLike
Beautiful photos.Where in California were these taken? It looks like somewhere worth visiting.
LikeLike
Hi A.K.- There are great hikes in Marin County on Mt. Tam (a half hour from SF) for wildflowers and the poppies were shot at the famous Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve outside of LA. Also, Point Reyes National Seashore which is about an hour from SF. Glad you enjoyed them, thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful set of flowers.
LikeLike
Thank so much, Rabirius. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
How amazing Jane! Absolutely stunning – what an abundance of flowers. So many and so colourful. I was thrilled with all your photos:)
LikeLike
Hi Inger, It was a wonderfully rainy winter which brought the super blooms across the state this spring. Very happy you enjoyed these. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful wild flowers all …! I love the color shades in the flower field and the “Sunlit”, dreaming over a sea of flowers, it makes me happy 🙂 Great pictures,Jane!
Warm regards, Heidi
LikeLike
Hi Heidi, I’m so glad these made you happy. It sure is fun finding these gems on my hikes. Thanks so much for enjoying and hope all is well with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am with Claude Monet – flowers are a wonderful thing.
LikeLike
So true. Wonderful to study and photograph. Thanks, Lisa.
LikeLike
Field of Colors is my favorite of this exceptional series, Jane! Beautiful composition of intimate landscape. Happy days! Reinhold
LikeLike
Hi Reinhold, I’m happy that one caught your eye. It was a challenge to convey the incredible display of colors there. Glad you enjoyed this series. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a dizzying variety. The insects must be popping.
LikeLike
Hi Michael, Indeed they are. Nice to see the bees hard at work, especially. Sometimes I am surprised when I look at the images later to find visitors on the flowers. Glad you enjoyed- thanks very much.
LikeLike
What a celebration of wildflowers, Jane! 🙂 I especially love ‘delicate’.
LikeLike
Thank you, Jo. Glad that one caught your eye– they are tiny and the wildflower folks get excited about them. So pretty.
LikeLike
An incredible variety out there! I’m always happy to see them. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fabulous wildflower gallery! Breathtaking…
LikeLike
I’m so glad you like them, Amy. Thanks! It’s been a great spring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! What a wonderful selection of wildflowers! I just discovered your site via a comment you made on Rabirius. You definitely have an inspiring and top-notch collection of all sorts of images! I was looking at your portfolio on your web site – great shots of kids – love the one of the little girl standing on the beach facing those dig waves. Looking forward to checking in via following you Jane!
LikeLike
Hi Michael, Thanks for your kind reaction and for visiting my blog and website. I really appreciate it and I’m happy you liked what you saw. It’s fun to discover new work in the blogging world– I’m heading over to yours now. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jane. I just started this blog last July, so I have quite some tuning up to do to reach the rich and professional quality of your Website and Images!
LikeLike
You are very kind, Michael. Thanks so much. Your blog is terrific.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful collection of images.
LikeLike
Thanks very much, Amy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So beautiful Jane. Tough to pick a favourite but I love Pretty in Purple.
LikeLike
Thank you, Edith. I have been having a great time wildflower hunting. I learned they are called Purple Tansy or Lacy Phacelia (if you are into identifying them!) Hope you are doing well.
LikeLike
Been waiting for this one Jane – and you, of course, did not disappoint! Glorious
LikeLike
Thanks a lot, Tina. So many wildflowers… 🙂
LikeLike
That poppy field is stunning! You have definitely captured the vibrant colors of California this year.
LikeLike
Hi Atreyee, Antelope Valley was a highlight this year. Happy you enjoyed what I discovered on my hikes. Thanks so much and hope you both are doing well.
LikeLike
😊
LikeLike
Thanks, Nomzi. 😀
LikeLike
Happy wildflowers to you in California, Jane. Glad you found so many to revel in.
I can’t remember if I mentioned this to you: the Emerson quotation appears in many places on the Internet, but it’s an altered and truncated version that changes the sense of the original. The poem it comes from is an ironic commentary on the way people take pride in possessing things and claiming the land, but soon enough the earth claims those people back. Here’s the relevant line:
Earth laughs in flowers, to see her boastful boys
Earth-proud, proud of the earth which is not theirs;
Who steer the plough, but cannot steer their feet
Clear of the grave.
You can find the full poem at
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/52341
LikeLike
Hi Steve, I’m glad to know this about the Emerson poem. Thank you for sharing the link and for the interpretation. Much appreciated!
LikeLike
Oh my what a spectacular display of flowers Jane! Captured magically as always!
LikeLike
Thank you, Nicole. What fun I’ve had hiking the hills and discovering these beauties. Glad you like them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow…the colours are so vivid!
Very impressive!!
LikeLike
Hi Mark, The landscapes have been so lush after the winter and the colors have popped. Glad you like them- thanks so much! Hope you are doing well.
LikeLike
So beautiful! Makes me want to be there.
LikeLike
Thanks, Karen! Glad you joined me for my walk. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
And this is splendid romp in the fields, Jane!
LikeLike
It has been a fantastic spring, Lynn! Thanks so much! 🙂
LikeLike
Wonderful series Jane! I particularly like the first photo and it’s painterly quality.
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Belinda. I’m pleased with the results on that shot. Glad you enjoyed these!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely!!
LikeLike
Thank you, Desleyjane. Hope all is well with you. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jane, yes all good here but a lot going on. I’m hoping to post a life update next weekend lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a feast for the eyes, Jane! Don’t we live in an amazing part of the world!
LikeLike
Thank you, Susan! Yes, we do…hope you are out there enjoying nature’s beauty. Appreciate your visit here.
LikeLike
Beautiful captures, Jane! I really loved the caption for the post. I love walks like these. Thanks for taking me there. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Cheryl, Thanks! It’s been a wonderful spring with the lush landscape and amazing blooms. Happy you enjoyed (and the title, too) and I hope you and Basil are doing great. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right, it’s been such an amazing blooming season here in Southern California, just as amazing as your images. My heart opens up when I see your photography, thank you for sharing. I had the most beautiful flowers blooming in my tiny flower bed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Cornelia, I’m glad that you’ve been enjoying them, too. It’s been such a surprise after the long drought. Your reaction to these images means a lot. Thanks very much and hope all is well with you.
LikeLike
So beautiful, Jane!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, de Wets! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I saw the title, I just knew I was going to love this post! Glorious!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Eliza! I thought of you when I realized I couldn’t identify most of the wildflowers. I needed my experts. So happy you enjoyed this one. 😊🌺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Shift2Drive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Sylvain, Thanks for sharing. Glad you like the post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These were so beautiful! Loved the Pretty in Purple! Flowers are such fun to do with macro. I’m amazed at how you did the first one…. Magic 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mary Lynn! Dealing with the wind in our wildflower hikes is tricky and my hope is to get this kind of impressionistic look. Happy you like it. Hope all is well you!
LikeLike
Jane, these are gorgeous.
I especially love the poppies. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many in one place before.
Have a wonderful weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Lisa. Antelope was quite amazing to see. Hope you have a great weekend, too!
LikeLike
Walking along such meadows would be wonderfully restful…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed it is, Awa. My husband and I have done some beautiful hikes this spring and the photography is just the icing on the cake. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Simply spectacular Jane. I would love to paint the first one 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Andrew, That’s such a nice compliment, thank you. You are welcome to do so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
ohhhhhhh! so lovely
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Camille. Glad you enjoyed these- we need to get out there and find some more!
LikeLike
Stunningly beautiful collection of images, Jane!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Pete, Thank you! Means a lot coming from you. Much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome, Jane. 🙂 I always enjoy seeing your photography. You have it down to a fine art, and it is always interesting as well as beautful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are truly beautiful. Jane, thank you for sharing these.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Tim. As you well know, it’s been a fabulous spring! Hope you are out there enjoying it this weekend.
LikeLike
You’re welcome and yes we have. I hope your weekend is being a productive one. I’m trying to catch up from being in San Francisco for a couple of days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your sunlight centered wild flower displays…like old Dutch oil paintings and so gorgeous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dor. What a great compliment. I am captivated by backlit flowers. Hope all is well with you.
LikeLike
Your flower portraits are very special, lovely colours and light. My favourite is Pretty in Purple, ( Blue Phacelia??) I just love the way you have captured the shape of the flower.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jude, I am glad to know some people who can identify the wildflowers- thank you! I am working on learning more about them and I’m happy you like the way I’ve captured them. Your visit here is much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your site is a sight for sore eyes 🙂 (Or is that too much of an English expression?)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, thanks! Not at all– I use that all the time! 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a refreshing start of the day you seem to have all my favorite things. In a color wildflower, you set the mood ambiance.Your words fit perfectly divine. I would love to sit and admire all of the beauty the smell of flowers that’s what I call nature. Bravo, you show the pictures so vibrant like an artist Deviant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Robin, Your kind thoughts have made my day. Thank you for taking a moment to let me know and I am so glad you enjoyed this series.
LikeLike
Yes I loved it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a great eye…as always!!! LOVE these…so happy…colors r so warm n fuzzy😜 makes me HAPPY!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, April! It sure has been a fantastic few months of nature moments. I love that it makes you happy! 😀
LikeLike
Beautiful, as usual.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Bruce. Much appreciated!
LikeLike
Ooh lala – beautiful.. hard to pick a favorite… Happy flowers.. thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Anon!
LikeLike
The first one is cool with the backdrop Impressionism feel. The purple one stands out too. Orange is so unique & beautiful. . They are all eye candy. The butterflies & birds love em too. Been happily digging & planting in my beds all week & a hummingbird whizzed by! 🌷🦋
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Diane, It’s fun to try varying techniques and compositions. Wind is often a factor on the coast so I have to get creative. 🙂 Hope you are enjoying your nature moments and photographing them!
LikeLike
Absolutely beautiful photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Pam, I’m happy you like this collection. Thank you! Looking forward to seeing you this summer.
LikeLike
Beautiful, Jane!! Makes me and my camera want to head out with you…….I LOVE flowers! Suzie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Suzie, Now that would be fun! You would have loved the spring in California. I am sure SC is bursting with color, too. Thanks so much for stopping by.
LikeLike
“The earth laughs in flowers”…I love that. I especially liked Orange Burst and the layers of color.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sharon. I love that one, too. I was told it is a Harlequin. A very happy flower. Glad you enjoyed these.
LikeLike
What a beautiful tribute to nature and her beautiful wildflowers. I especially liked Pretty in Purple.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jane. It really has been a wonderful few months of exploring. Happy you enjoyed these– I am working on learning the names of the wildflowers. 🙂
LikeLike
Splendid and positive…as so often. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Paula, Thank you, that means a lot to me. Lady Bird’s quote rang true to me about hope- a feeling I have when photographing these small moments of beauty.
LikeLike
Beautiful macros and fields of flowers all round. Bravo. Not only vividly colourful but dreamy as well – like stalks and fields of dreams. Love the Emerson quote. Flowers can make the room all the more brighter on any rainy or sad day. Enjoy the remainder of spring and it looks like summer might be a treat for you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Mabel, Thank you! It has been a magnificent spring in CA. Happy you like this celebration of nature. I hope you are having a beautiful Autumn! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like those low down angles.
LikeLike
Wow Jane! What a stunning and beautiful collection of wildflowers you show here. I love wildflowers and yours are perfect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jürgen, How nice of you to say, thank you. I am having a great time hiking and photographing. Thanks so much and hope you are doing well.
LikeLike
Marvellous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sue. It sure has been a glorious spring. Glad you enjoyed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Klasse Fotos. Wolfgang
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Wolfgang.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
Beautiful photos. You are really so good in this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very kind, Christina, thanks so much. Happy you enjoyed this series. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so lucky to live in California and see these beautiful wildflowers. Thank you for sharing with us. Spectacular photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Sunnydays, You live in a fabulous city, too! Happy you enjoyed a taste of what spring has been like this year in CA. I am enjoying learning about the wildflowers and hope to be better at identifying them soon. 🙂 Thanks very much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a delicious collection of photographs. I just about felt like I was there. My favourite is pretty in purple.
Alison
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Alison, It’s been a wonderful spring and I’m glad you took a walk with me! Thank you so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person