A Profusion of Poppies
July 25, 2011
Photographer: Nel Graham
Summary Authors: Nel Graham; Stu Witmer
A profusion of poppies! The image above is from the Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve located west of Lancaster near the west end of the Mojave Desert. The California poppy (Eschscholzia californica Cham.) has been the state flower since 1903 and April 6 is officially designated in the state as California Poppy Day. Native Americans valued it as a food source for the oil extracted from the seeds. It was also known as copa de oro - cup of gold. The poppies grow in arid areas all over the state and throughout the Americas. The best displays happen in early spring after a rainy winter. Many other native wildflowers also bloom in abundance in the area of the preserve. Photo taken April 2010.
Photo Details: Camera: Panasonic DMC-TZ4; Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28mm; Aperture: f/8.0; Exposure Time: 0.0040 s (1/250); ISO equiv: 100.
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