"Vast fields of Golden Poppies have ever been one of the strong and peculiar features of California scenery. The gladsome beauty of this peerless flower has brought renown to the land of its birth. Present everywhere, at all times in some form, it is not surprising that it has taken firm hold of the affections of the people, and that the homage of the nature-loving world is so freely offered it." Emory E. Smith, The Golden Poppy, 1902
While posting my last blog entry about the spring poppy bloom, I discovered that California actually has an official day designated to celebrate the state flower-April 6. So to help you take part in honoring the fiery flower, here's some more photo and videos of poppies.
As part of National Wildlife Federation’s new Storytelling Video Diary Series, I posted a fun video blog about the bloom.
And here are a few of my best poppy photos from my collection--you can view more on the National Wildlife Federation's California Facebook page.
Bee and poppy (Photo by Beth Pratt)
Poppies in the Merced River Canyon, 2009 (Photo by Beth Pratt)
Fields of gold (Photo by Beth Pratt)And my last contributon to help celebrate California poppy day is a video showing the once-in-a-lifetime bloom in the Merced River Canyon in 2009.