Poppy Reserve
The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is located just to the northwest of the San Gabriel Mountains in the Mojave Desert, about 15 miles west of Lancaster. It's a 75-minute drive from the Pasadena area. The spring display of California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) is absolutely grand in years when there is ample rain throughout the preceding winter.
A. 2008: April
This was a very good year for poppies.
Click on the thumbnails to see higher-resolution images, 640 x 480 pixels.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
||
|
|
|
B. 2009: March
This year there are not the broad expanses of poppies that occur in good years; but there are pleny of poppies so see, with the best being on south-facing slopes.
Click on the thumbnails to see higher-resolution images, 720 x 480 pixels
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
California poppies (Eschscholtzia californica) on a south-facing slope |
Fiddleneck (Amsinckia ressellata) |
|||
 |
 |
|||
Goldfields (Lasthenia californica) |
Cream cups (Platystemon californicus) |
|
|
|
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
All images © 1990-2009 Mary and Graham Bothwell.
