Sunday, May 1, 2016

California Poppies


Spring arrived early in my part of the world, and everything seems to be blooming two or even three weeks ahead of schedule. These happy orange flowers cover sunny slopes here and there around Seattle. You can often find them along highways or on big open hilly places, such as Chambers Bay trails which go over a pretty meadow and gold course, by the shores of Puget Sound, south of Tacoma. I've been wishing to find a place where California poppies (their other names are California sunlight, or cup of gold) are within reach for us photographers. But I hadn't expected to see the whole hill covered with them on my 2-hour hike today. 



So as I was going down the big hill, I noticed the happiest of colors, orange, and couldn't help but stop and snap a few pictures with my phone. Justin at the same time was moving towards me from the lowest part of the park, and as he looked up to find me with his eyes, the first person he saw was this woman in a blue top and straw hat admiring the poppies. He came closer and introduced himself... wait a minute, that was over 10 years ago... My goodness, I do get carried away. Now, where was I? Oh yes, that's right. He came to me and took a few pictures of this sweet little field of happiness.





California poppies are native to the US and Mexico and considered the official state flower of California. It grows naturally in a few other states, Oregon and Washington included, and just like I said, you can spot them on open sunny slopes. They usually come in orange, but sometimes I see yellow ones too.


I think I have their sisters in my own little garden, they were planted here 
long before we moved in, and are in full bloom now. (Photo above)

It was about 80 F today, and while it is breezy by the Sound, it gets stuffy up the hill and in the woods where a good half of my hike took place. Even in this flowy top made of breezy cotton, I felt hot. Then I remembered that I have buttons on the back and unbuttoned a couple, just as Jazzy Jack suggested. Aww, much better! 


Top and pants - Old Navy
Hat and sunglasses - Lane Bryant
Sandals - Clarks (last year)

Linking up with Hat Attack and Visible Monday

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20 comments:

  1. We keep getting spring sun, and then it will be unseasonably cold. Flowers make spring for real!

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    1. We on the contrary got a wildly rapid and hot Spring this year! :)

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  2. so many flowers :) You look like summer, Natalia ;)
    Have a good day, Tina

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  3. Pretty and optimistic:) I love your hat!
    Hugs!:))

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  4. Is that how you met 10 years ago? That's so romantic! Funny how time flies isn't it?...and here you are again in a lovely blue top and with a straw hat. Such a lovely outfit! It makes me think of Summer. That field of poppies is amazing. I bet that the French impressionist would just fall in love with this place, if they happened to visit it. They often painted fields of poppies....and these orange and yellow ones are just as stunning as the more famous red ones.

    Nice to see the sun on these photographs. Here it has been rainy, but I don't mind, I know that it is silly to complain of the rain in this gentle climate I live in. Soon we'll have pleanty of sunny days.

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    1. Any weather has its beauty, it's for sure!
      It's not exactly how we met, but something reminded me of our first meeting - sometimes a story just writes itself. :)
      There are so many varieties of poppies in the world! How about those humongous blue Himalayan poppies? Gorgeous!

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  5. After those fantastic fields of tulips now you're showing us no less beautiful fields of poppies. Какая красота!

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  6. very early summer!!
    i have this flowers in my garden too - they self seed every year since i first planted some 5 years ago. but the plants are just teeny tiny 3cm high by now!!!
    great hiking outfit for such sunny weather! love that top!
    big hugs!!!! xxxxxx

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    1. Glad you appreciated my romantic hiking outfit. I enjoy creating charming old-fashioned styles these days, almost child-like even. Love this top!

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  7. You do get Summer early and I must admit, I'm jealous! Oh for the feel of the sun on my bare skin again - it's been months! xxx

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  8. Those poppies are nothing short of majestic! They look as though Mother Nature sprinkled gold nuggets across the landscape and are so such perfect symbols of the sunshine that is returning (or increasing, depending on whereabouts one lives) at this time of the year.

    You sweet, delightful warm weather look is awesomely at home in this setting and me looking forward to sporting carpis again this season, too.

    Many hugs & huge thanks for your excellent comment on my post about introversion this week, dear Natalia,

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thank you for your warm and poetic words, sweet Jessica!

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  9. it's lovely to see you enjoying those pretty flowers on your walk, even if it's hot!. And you look comfy and cool, wearing your cute top and really sensible hat!. No spring weather for me yet, but it will be warm soon, for sure (even too hot!)
    besos

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    1. It gets a little too hot here too, it's 80s today again! Crazzzzy!

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  10. A lovely and romantic story that you tell. The poppy photos are stunning! And so are you in your hat. Thank you for sharing with Hat Attack!

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    1. Thank you, Judith, such an honor to have you here!

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