Monday, May 20, 2013

Poppies - Again!


(blended with Kim Klassen's texture "Golden" in soft light at 75%)

It's poppy time here in Northern California - and by this I actually don't mean the beautiful California poppy, our state flower (although this is its season as well), but the big and stunning Papaver poppies.



When I ripped out my front lawn last summer, I knew that I cannot plant the entire area in just one year, so I simply put out seeds in one part of the former lawn, seeds of native wildflowers, California poppies - and those Papaver poppies.

Today, this has transformed in a beautiful colorful meadow with quite a lot of "bushes" of gorgeous poppies.

(blended with Kim Klassen's texture "Golden" in soft light at 75%)

Every morning when I walk along the meadow I discover new poppies. Especially in the morning, they are often not quite open yet.


Isn't that pretty?

In the morning, when the sun is still low in the sky, the poppies glow in the light - almost every day I take new photos which means I have hundreds of pictures by now. Still, I don't get tired of it.



When the sun hasn't reached the meadow yet, the colors really pop.




The bees love the poppies as well - there's a steady humming sound over the meadow. Bee crisis? Certainly not here.


Of course, between all the pink, magenta and white poppies there is also the "classic" red poppy.


But I also planted newer poppies with their mysterious and completely stunning dark colors.


And when the flowers are gone, the beauty remains - aren't these seed pods extraordinarily beautiful?

(Photo of the week)

I'm linking up to Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday for the free and easy edition.

17 comments:

Randy said...

Poppies are wonderful flowers to photograph.

Elephant's Child said...

I love them. I (somehow) acquired a gorgeous salmon pink double poppy. Each year when the flowers have finished I gather up the seed heads and broadcast the seed far and wide in early spring. I think they are one of the cheeriest flowers. Thank you for this wonderful walk in the park in your garden.

Felicity said...

they are so different! each one is beautiful :)
Could you please tell me, where do you find the white? I never saw this sort before

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Carola, WOW such absolutely beautiful poppies in such a glorious array of colors.. I especially love the shades of Pink ones. Hugs Judy

Kelly said...

Oh Carola - your photos are inspiring!! I used one of your photos for a little sketch in my journal :)
http://kellythielstudio.com/2013/05/21/quick-airplane-sketch/

Sally H said...

WOW! Thee are stunning photos, Carola - such beautiful poppies and you have captured some excellent shots there. Gorgeous!

Magic Love Crow said...

Gorgeous!! Simply gorgeous!! Really enjoyed your beautiful flowers ;o)

A Garden of Threads said...

OHMYGOSH, that must be a wonderful sight. These are beautiful photos.

Maria Ontiveros said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! These are stunning. The first one is a complete work of art and the last one is equally amazing. I love poppies!
Rinda

patty said...

Carola, these are wonderful! We do have them here but not so many like you have. I love the white matilija poppies and am waiting for the jacaranda tree behind them to bloom to give them that purple background.

Patrice said...

I'm jealous of all your gorgeous poppies...just love how they glow in the sun!

Anonymous said...

these are beautiful!

EarlK said...

Beautiful photographs. I especially like the first one. It looks like a watercolor painting.

Earl

Yang Fei said...

I love poppies and have a few in my garden but where I am, up in Canada, they won't be blooming for a few more weeks. I really enjoyed your walk through so many different colours and kinds.

Kat van Rooyen said...

I agree with EarlK - but also with everyone who exclaimed how gorgeous and wonderful your photos are, Carola! WOW! I love poppies so much, and only this year decided I am going to try to grow some. I am probably too late, but no matter - the seeds will be scattered to see if they take root. Your photos certainly have taken root in my soul, and I cherish them. Thank you!

Ginnie Hart said...

All of this from poppies! What a visual delight, Carola.

honey said...

oh these POPPIES are amazing...just gorgeous.