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.
Nature’s Impressions
“Where flowers bloom so does hope.”
~Lady Bird Johnson
Sunlit
Pretty in Purple
Field of Colors
“The earth laughs in flowers.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Delicate
Complements of Nature
Orange Burst
“I must have flowers, always, and always.”
~ Claude Monet
Sea Dreams
Going Solo
Glory
My Little Pretties
Beautiful photographs.
Thanks so much, Sue.
A beautiful exhibition of colorful spring! I think smell the flowers!
What a wonderful compliment, Jacinto. Thank you!
Perfection!!
Thank you, Madhu! 😀
Beautiful photos.Where in California were these taken? It looks like somewhere worth visiting.
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!
A beautiful set of flowers.
Thank so much, Rabirius. 🙂
How amazing Jane! Absolutely stunning – what an abundance of flowers. So many and so colourful. I was thrilled with all your photos:)
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!
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
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.
I am with Claude Monet – flowers are a wonderful thing.
So true. Wonderful to study and photograph. Thanks, Lisa.
Field of Colors is my favorite of this exceptional series, Jane! Beautiful composition of intimate landscape. Happy days! Reinhold
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!
That’s a dizzying variety. The insects must be popping.
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.
What a celebration of wildflowers, Jane! 🙂 I especially love ‘delicate’.
Thank you, Jo. Glad that one caught your eye– they are tiny and the wildflower folks get excited about them. So pretty.
An incredible variety out there! I’m always happy to see them. 🙂
What a fabulous wildflower gallery! Breathtaking…
I’m so glad you like them, Amy. Thanks! It’s been a great spring.
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!
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. 🙂
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!
You are very kind, Michael. Thanks so much. Your blog is terrific.
A beautiful collection of images.
Thanks very much, Amy. 🙂
So beautiful Jane. Tough to pick a favourite but I love Pretty in Purple.
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.
Been waiting for this one Jane – and you, of course, did not disappoint! Glorious
Thanks a lot, Tina. So many wildflowers… 🙂
That poppy field is stunning! You have definitely captured the vibrant colors of California this year.
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.
😊
Thanks, Nomzi. 😀
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
Hi Steve, I’m glad to know this about the Emerson poem. Thank you for sharing the link and for the interpretation. Much appreciated!
Oh my what a spectacular display of flowers Jane! Captured magically as always!
Thank you, Nicole. What fun I’ve had hiking the hills and discovering these beauties. Glad you like them!
Wow…the colours are so vivid!
Very impressive!!
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.
So beautiful! Makes me want to be there.
Thanks, Karen! Glad you joined me for my walk. 🙂
And this is splendid romp in the fields, Jane!
It has been a fantastic spring, Lynn! Thanks so much! 🙂
Wonderful series Jane! I particularly like the first photo and it’s painterly quality.
Thanks so much, Belinda. I’m pleased with the results on that shot. Glad you enjoyed these!
Lovely!!
Thank you, Desleyjane. Hope all is well with you. 😊
Thanks Jane, yes all good here but a lot going on. I’m hoping to post a life update next weekend lol.
What a feast for the eyes, Jane! Don’t we live in an amazing part of the world!
Thank you, Susan! Yes, we do…hope you are out there enjoying nature’s beauty. Appreciate your visit here.
Beautiful captures, Jane! I really loved the caption for the post. I love walks like these. Thanks for taking me there. 🙂
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. 🙂
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.
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.
So beautiful, Jane!
Thanks so much, de Wets! 😊
When I saw the title, I just knew I was going to love this post! Glorious!
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. 😊🌺
Reblogged this on Shift2Drive.
Hi Sylvain, Thanks for sharing. Glad you like the post.
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 🙂
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!
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!
Thanks so much, Lisa. Antelope was quite amazing to see. Hope you have a great weekend, too!
Walking along such meadows would be wonderfully restful…
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.
Simply spectacular Jane. I would love to paint the first one 🙂
Hi Andrew, That’s such a nice compliment, thank you. You are welcome to do so.
ohhhhhhh! so lovely
Thank you, Camille. Glad you enjoyed these- we need to get out there and find some more!
Stunningly beautiful collection of images, Jane!
Hi Pete, Thank you! Means a lot coming from you. Much appreciated.
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.
These are truly beautiful. Jane, thank you for sharing these.
Thank you, Tim. As you well know, it’s been a fabulous spring! Hope you are out there enjoying it this weekend.
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.
I love your sunlight centered wild flower displays…like old Dutch oil paintings and so gorgeous.
Thank you, Dor. What a great compliment. I am captivated by backlit flowers. Hope all is well with you.
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.
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.
Your site is a sight for sore eyes 🙂 (Or is that too much of an English expression?)
Aw, thanks! Not at all– I use that all the time! 😍
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.
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.
Yes I loved it.
What a great eye…as always!!! LOVE these…so happy…colors r so warm n fuzzy😜 makes me HAPPY!!
Thanks, April! It sure has been a fantastic few months of nature moments. I love that it makes you happy! 😀
Beautiful, as usual.
Thanks so much, Bruce. Much appreciated!
Ooh lala – beautiful.. hard to pick a favorite… Happy flowers.. thank you
Thank you very much, Anon!
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! 🌷🦋
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!
Absolutely beautiful photos.
Hi Pam, I’m happy you like this collection. Thank you! Looking forward to seeing you this summer.
Beautiful, Jane!! Makes me and my camera want to head out with you…….I LOVE flowers! Suzie
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.
“The earth laughs in flowers”…I love that. I especially liked Orange Burst and the layers of color.
Thanks, Sharon. I love that one, too. I was told it is a Harlequin. A very happy flower. Glad you enjoyed these.
What a beautiful tribute to nature and her beautiful wildflowers. I especially liked Pretty in Purple.
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. 🙂
Splendid and positive…as so often. xx
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.
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 🙂
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! 🙂
I like those low down angles.
Wow Jane! What a stunning and beautiful collection of wildflowers you show here. I love wildflowers and yours are perfect!
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.
Marvellous!
Thanks, Sue. It sure has been a glorious spring. Glad you enjoyed!
I did!
Klasse Fotos. Wolfgang
Thank you very much, Wolfgang.
Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful photos. You are really so good in this!
You are very kind, Christina, thanks so much. Happy you enjoyed this series. 🙂
You are so lucky to live in California and see these beautiful wildflowers. Thank you for sharing with us. Spectacular photos!
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.
What a delicious collection of photographs. I just about felt like I was there. My favourite is pretty in purple.
Alison
Hi Alison, It’s been a wonderful spring and I’m glad you took a walk with me! Thank you so much.