Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

{that's Callum!}

In the High Desert of the western Mojave lies Antelope Valley, known for California's most consistent poppy-bearing land. But this is not going to be a great poppy season here, the blooms as unpredictable as nature herself.

With recent rains, I expected the land to be awash with wildflowers, yet the blooms are late this year. Relying only upon natural forces for stimulation of the blooms, the protected land battles intense temperatures and ferocious winds and in this most hostile of natural environments, spring forth brilliant orange poppies.

The looping trail originally lead by our ranger wound over the crest to the spring at the base, facing buttes in the distance which rose up from the undulating spurs of the valley. I was trying to remember from geographical days the description of a butte when she asked us. Lizards darted about our feet and scurried into burrows, whilst the rattlesnake pointed out by our ranger and essential for the preservation of the ecosystem, had recently maimed its gopher pray.

Here I wanted to recreate the sun-bleached feel of the High Desert in the look of the images.

Happy Mothering Sunday to my dearest mother. An incredible source of inspiration. Til next week when I'll be home...