Tag Archives: California Poppy

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Tree Mercer was out near the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands and took my advice to always check near your toes. Wildflowers can be very small. She looked down and this is what she found - Redmaids, Calandrinia ciliata.

Redmaids by Tree Mercer

California Poppies have been amazing this spring. Peter Cracknell photographed one tightly closed up, a rather unusual look at this wildflower.

CA Poppy by Peter Cracknell

Native rhododendrons, Pacific Rhododendron, are blooming. Catherine Miller took this photo.

Pacific Rhododendron by Catherine Miller

Today we are having light rain showers. That can only benefit our beautiful native wildflowers. Thanks to Tree, Peter, and Catherine for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Even if Rick and I are pressed for time, a walk on the Gualala Bluff Trail is easy to fit in. And Huckleberry, our golden retriever, never turns down a walk. We parked along Highway One in front of the Shoreline Restaurant and accessed the trail between the restaurant and the Breaker's Inn. Spring has sprung along the trail and even in the foggy morning the trail was alive with color.

 Rick and Huckleberry are urging me to catch up!

 It looks like Huck is thinking, "So many poppies, so little time..."

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Always a welcome sight, Rick and I spotted the first California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica, blooming along the beautiful Gualala Bluff Trail. It is, of course, the official California state flower. Its petals close at night or in cold and cloudy weather.

And, yes, it has medicinal qualities, which Native Americans understood. It is said to reduce anxiety, stop muscle spasm and relieve pain.

As for me, I just enjoy their sunny faces when I encounter them on the Mendonoma Coast.