Antelope Valley Yearly Poppy Bloom

It’s that time of the year where all the beautiful poppies start to bloom, this year the flowers are a gorgeous fluorescent orange color. Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve becomes alive, the duration and intensity of colors and scents vary from year to year.

Although, keep in mind that these flowers are fragile so the poppies wilt immediately after being picked, and they hold the seeds that will be needed for the next year's wildflowers. Getting a picture of one really nice flower off of the designated trail will crush all the plants along the way and compact the soil, leaving a lifeless bare of dirt for the next few years to come.

Poppies open up in mid morning, and curl up in the late afternoon/evening or if it’s cold, so check the weather forecast before arriving. The weather can change suddenly and it is frequently windy here during the spring.

The bloom is expected to last throughout the month of April. So, right now is the perfect time to go and observe the bloom !

Be on the lookout for wild animals alongside the flowers because they help protect the poppies from rodents who may harm the wildflower, specifically Mojave green rattlesnakes. Walk slowly in fields to give rattlers a chance to alert you, and watch where you step.

If you do not want to pay to see the poppies at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, there are some blooming in Lancaster or on the freeway roads.

If you do decide to go to the Reserve you can go visit the official website to check prices, how to arrive there or if you want to check out a specific flower. Enjoy the harvest and get some nice photos from a safe distance. Also, remember to bring twice as much water as you think you'll need, and drink a lot because you don’t want to be dehydrated.

*DISCLAIMER : NO POPPIES WERE HARMED IN THE PHOTOGRAPHY PROCESS*