The Flower Hour #25: POP Go the Poppies

For the Flower Hour, share your images of flowers, gardens, fields of flowers, seasonal leaves and plants, fungus, algae, cacti, blossoms, berries, and wildflowers. Bouquets and silk/faux flowers are welcome.

I almost didn’t respond to the L-A challenge this week for this Flower Hour post. But after reading a few great examples from other bloggers, I decided to use poppies as the subject to explore framing techniques across the foreground, middle ground, and background.

As many of you know, we spent 40 days on our extensive road trip through six Western states, visiting family and friends. Whenever we travel, I always look for local flowers, with The Flower Hour in mind. By the time we reached San Diego in mid-March, I knew the California poppies would be strutting their stuff.

March is poppy season in all of California, both Southern and Northern. Yes, I have countless poppy pics I’ve taken over the years still a’ bloom in my media files.

While in Sacramento, I walked a couple of miles with my friend down her rural road and was treated to lots of poppies!

These happy poppies grew close together to steal each other’s show.

orange poppies

“To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.” – Edward Weston

But sometimes a lone poppy can be quite compelling.

orange Poppy unfurling

Here, the poppies try to steal the show out from under the cute wooden goat…

Goat decor and poppies

…Or from the weathered half-barrel in the middle ground.

California Poppies


The fields of poppies provided a vivid backdrop as we drove along a California Freeway.

Southern California super bloom
Southern California super bloom

To cap off this formidable challenge by Patti, I managed to find this old image for the Lens-Artists challenge that includes all the “grounds.” Sorry, Patti, for sharing more than three pics 😉 Back in 2019, as another windsurf season bloomed in mid-April at the Sacramento River Delta, the California poppies were showing off as usual.

Poppies rocks and sea water

This image shows the poppies in the foreground against a mid-ground of rocks, with the promise of windy waves in the background.

Also sharing for Dawn’s Spring Festival and Pepper’s One Step Challenge.

New to The Flower Hour photo challenge? Please check out my page for more information! I encourage “double-dipping” with other blog challenges if you do not want to create a separate post.

Remember, there are no specific themes for the Flower Hour, but please use your own photography. And you have all week to link to this post.


We arrived home on Easter Sunday afternoon. Whew…more about our trip over the next several posts.

A huge thank you to Cathy and Susanne for hosting Sunday Stills throughout March! Sunday Stills resumes with me with the Monthly Color Challenge: Diamonds and Quartz on April 12th!

“There are always flowers for those who want to see them!” – Henri Matisse

© 2026 Copyright — Terri Webster Schrandt and secondwindleisure.com — All Rights Reserved


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110 responses to “The Flower Hour #25: POP Go the Poppies”

  1. […] Freshly back home from our 40-day road trip, this is my second post in which I’ll share about our visits and adventures. You can read more about our California Poppy experience here. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I’m so glad you joined us Terri and shared these wonderful images of poppies. The one with them in the hills is amazing. So vibrant, so beautiful. A great choice for the challenge.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Patti! Truly a challenging theme this time 🙂

      Like

  3. […] It was spring in France last week. To celebrate the joy of spring in Paris, I’m sharing another set of pictures for Terri’s The Flower Hour. You can join in The Flower Hour here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/04/07/the-flower-hour-25-pop-go-the-poppies/ […]

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Just when I was ready to give up on having the ‘volunteer’ poppies pop up on the foothills of our mountains, they appeared. And just in time for me to grab all of the grands for photos among them. Your pictures are so vivid. You perfectly captured the carefree spirit of the poppies, I think. They just kind of do their own thing and come up where and when they want to. LOVE the goat contemplating nibbling some of them. Adorable.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Leslie, thank you! I’m excited to read that poppies grow so well in the desert Southwest! Who woulda thunk it? I bought some poppy seeds and am hoping they will like our high desert climate here.

      Like

  5. […] Posted for Terri’s Flower Hour […]

    Liked by 1 person

  6. I love poppies! Not easy to grow here.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They’re touchy when out of the west. They like drought conditions.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. […] Terri’s The Flower Hour #25 […]

    Liked by 1 person

  8. So vibrant and beautiful, Terri. They definietly work for the challenge 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Sofia! I appreciate your acknowledgement! Happy spring!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. […] The Flower Hour #25: go for the poppies […]

    Liked by 1 person

  10. […] Flower Hour for…Wait it’s what month? […]

    Liked by 1 person

  11. What a great show those poppies put on. Love the little goat too. I hope you had a great trip. Here’s mine this week: https://grahamsisland.com/2026/04/08/kokio-ulaula-flower/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Graham! I was so pleased to see poppies everywhere! Never managed to grow my own though… our trip was wonderful, if tiring. Happy to be home. More about the the trip in upcoming posts.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. […] Koki’o ‘Ula’Ula is a native hibiscus which is rare in the wild, but available in nurseries. This one is a bit past its prime. I’ll have to go back to where I saw it at Kohanaiki to see if I can get a more robust bloom. Posted for Terri’s Flower Hour. See more responses here. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Your little goat made my day Terri! The flowers are lively and several of your images are well-suited for our challenge this week. Thanks so much for joining us!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Tina! I was slightly baffled with the challenge, but yours helped me focus (lol). I was so pleased to see the poppies along my friend’s rural road, complete with goat!

      Like

  14. Your beautiful photo did absolute justice to the golden poppies, Terri. I love the landscape vistas of poppies everywhere…and the goat sculpture softened by gold poppy blossoms. Superb share.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much, Suzette! Poppies do put on a crazy good show! I always look forward to seeing the hillsides covered in them in Southern California. They seem to love growing by the roads as well.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You are very welcome, Terri.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. I love those poppies, Terri. I sowed some last year, they were Californian poppies. Just hoping they have self seeded!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh did they grow well there? Good luck with them, Cathy!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. They did, Terri. They’re so beautiful and really brightened up the garden. If they haven’t self seeded I’ll have to get more!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. That’s great to know, maybe there’s hope for poppies in Spokane!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I hope so 🤞🏼

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Such a vibrant and cheerful post, Terri. I love the photo of the poppies on the hillside. Such a spectacular sight!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Eugi! The poppies growing on the hillsides are an amazing sight to see!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome, Terri.

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Pretty sure this post qualifies for flower hour!!

    Bike Trip Day 2

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Very much so, Ritva! Fun to see them again! 🧡

      Like

  18. Utterly stunning, Terri x

    Liked by 1 person

  19. The colour of the poppies stand out so much and are so bright. Beautiful colour. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Lily, they really do pop!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. […] afternoon, for Terri’s, The Flower Hour #25 ⚘ From last autumn.I’m trying to get new photos, but it’s been difficult. We had […]

    Liked by 1 person

  21. These amazing captures Terri. I have never seen so many poppies together.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Rupali! Its an amazing sight indeed!

      Liked by 1 person

  22. California Poppies are quite prolific in established local gardens but for the life of me, I haven’t found any at the garden centres to plant in my own garden. They are beautiful and just look at that hillside covered in them…what a sight to behold!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They are quite beautiful and everywhere once planted. I also had no luck finding plants at garden centers either, other than Icelandic poppies. I believe you buy the seeds.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ah! That’s probably why I can’t find them! 🤦🏻‍♀️

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I just ordered seeds on Amazon. Turns out Cal poppies are droubt and deer resistant, and prefer sandy, dry soil. If I can plant some this week, they might grow. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

  23. The poppies look stunning, Terri, and the goat decoration (I don’t know how to call it🤭)is interesting to me, too. Amazing images, my friend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Hazel, they’re fun flowers to see. Goat decoration is exactly what it is 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Funny I think goat stuff, goat toy, and end up goat decoration 🤭😁 My pleasure, Terri.

        Liked by 1 person

  24. The Poppies are very pretty Terri and I especially like the photo with the wooden goat!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Linda! One yard in Sacramento had the cute statuary near the poppies.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I like the mountain view with the Poppies too – I meant to mention that – just a bounty of beauty!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thank you, Linda! I’m preparing my Sunday Stills post for the quartz/diamond color challenge. I read the last one I did and remembered your birthday is coming up! The 14th right? Hope you’re enjoying your birthday month! 🎉

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Yes, you are right Terri – I will be hitting the big 70! Thank you for remembering. The weather hasn’t been great for my birthday month so far. We’ve had several bouts of severe weather and today I got out and did errands and grocery shopping as we are embarking on a week of rain, except for Saturday, but that’s on the heels of a lot of rain Friday.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. The weather is crazy everywhere. Hope you stay safe buy enjoy your birthday!

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Yes, sadly that is true Terri. Thanks again for remembering! Right now the stormiest/worst weather is Monday into Tuesday morning – it will be a nice morning to stay in and read.

        Liked by 1 person

  25. The bloom of poppies is amazing, beautiful captures of such a pretty flower!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much, Donna! We really enjoyed seeing them!

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Terri, what a coincidence! I went out yesterday in hopes of photographing some poppies. However, I did not like what I found. These photos are wonderful. I loved the California photo with the mountains covered in poppies. That also fits this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge. Anyway, here’s my entry for your challenge:

    https://throughbrazilianeyes.com/a-cup-of-morning/

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Egidio! I’m glad I could make the poppy post work for lens-artists! We always feel so happy whenever we see the California poppies in full bloom, since we don’t have them here. I’ll have to research what kind of poppies can grow in Eastern Washington!

      Like

  27. Ohmnigosh, Terri, best “The Flower Hour” post ever!

    First, I’d no idea poppies bloomed so early – even in Northern California. Our town, Kingsville, Ontario, which is the southernmost town in Canada, is located on roughly the same latitude as Northern California – places like Eureka. Trust me – we’ve no poppies in bloom here, I doubt the new growth has even sprouted yet!

    Second, the “superbloom” on the hillsides (mountain sides?) are absolutely spectacular – I’ve never seen so many in one place before.

    Third, “still abloom in my media files” – very punny! 🙂 Clever words and pictures this week, hey!?!

    Fourth, all our wild Poppies are red and we’ve some cultivars in gardens that are pink but I’ve not seen orange before.

    The images are stunning, and pretty, and fun to see and I thoroughly enjoyed this post, thank you. Well-done you!!! xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww, thank you for your enthusiastic comment, Pam! You made me smile! March was always poppy season in most of California. We were sure blessed to see them while on our road trip. We spent almost three weeks in California, from bottom (San Diego) to top (Crescent City). Glad you liked my silliness with my media files. I do like to dust off some old pics for them to see the light of virtual day, when I can :D! I’m used to seeing the orange poppies, but rarely see the red northern ones or the Icelandic variety. I don’t recall seeing any poppies here in Eastern Washington. But our daffodils are blooming now.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Here too! They’re such a lovely sign of spring, aren’t they! xx

        Liked by 1 person

  28. The Californian Poppies are an amazing sight Terri. They are a wonderful colour

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Brian! Their yellow-orange loveliness is amazing!

      Liked by 1 person

  29. I love poppy season! I remember driving north through the central California hills and seeing blankets of orange like in your photo. It was a glorious sight!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Me, too, Janis! I knew the poppies would be at their peak in March while we were in California. Hubby took pics three years ago of the poppy-covered hills in So Cal while I was driving, but his phone is not as sharp as mine. :/

      Like

  30. Beautiful Poppies Terri!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Anne! I was very happy to capture them while in Sacramento!

      Liked by 1 person

  31. A glorious sight, Terri! We occasionally see them here in gardens, but generally it’s just the wild red ones, and they’re just starting to appear xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Jo! The California orange poppies grow as far north as Oregon and little to the west. I would love to see the red poppies and the Icelandic ones too! Enjoy yours!

      Liked by 1 person

  32. I love the orange! You took some stunning photos, Terri. 🧡

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Colleen! I’ve always love the California orange poppies! So vivid and sunny!

      Like

  33. Glorious poppies! I love all the different angles you’ve captured and especially love that closeup! Thanks again for the shoutout. I had fun hosting Sunday Stills for you. 🙂 Here are some more Tulips. April is for Tulips – At Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm – Cats and Trails and Garden Tales

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Susanne! I forget I have so many poppies pics in my archives. Our old neighborhood in Sacramento was ALIVE with poppies, but I never grew any. Yep, I stocked up again while in CA on our trip!

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Poppies are one of my favourite flowers. I am aiming for a seas of them this summer, in many different colours. When I collected poppy seeds last summer I mixed orange, red, burgundy and purple seeds in the same jar.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Wow, I can only imagine what the mixed seeds will yield, Maria. Can you grow California poppies in Sweden? I’m sure the Icelandic poppies do very well there 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I actually do not know what kind of poppies they are. I have never purchased any poppy seeds. Some seeds have been given to me from different people, and I’ve collected some of them myself.

        Liked by 1 person

  35. Wow. So many great poppy photos it is hard to pick a fav but I think that end one.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Bernie! I wanted to share poppies this week but also wanted to make it work for Lens Artists. I love that last one, too, such good memories of good times.

      Liked by 1 person

  36. Poppies… Pahhpies… this always reminds me of the wicked witch in the Wizard Of Oz, Terri. Lovely photos!! 😍

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, John! I hoped someone would use that reference 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You are welcome, Terri! ☺️

        Liked by 1 person

  37. Beautiful poppies, Terri. It’s tulip season in France. At home, where I’m headed back, winter is approaching.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. You’ve had a great trip, Robbie! I hope you can share some tulips from France this week 🙂

      Like

  38. Wow! Wow! Wow!
    You have incredible images of the beloved poppies! We have them here in AZ as well. They are such a beautiful wildflower.
    Once again, you have blown me away!
    💛🥰💛

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Aww, you’re too kind, Nancy! Thank you! I believe I saw a few wild poppies while in AZ!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Sadje! Have a nice day!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You too Terri

        Liked by 1 person

  39. These poppies pictures are great. Love the colors I usually just see red ones here.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Lisa, California poppies are such a a glorious orange-yellow!

      Like

  40. I love poppies! Ours don’t usually show up until mid-May.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks, Dawn! I’ve never seen poppies in Eastern Washington. I stocked up on photos while we were in California. There were some in Southern Oregon too.

      Like

      1. They must be very delicate. I’ve gone back to where I saw them the previous year and they don’t return.

        Liked by 1 person

  41. This is a beautifully vibrant and engaging post that celebrates both the art of photography and the joy of travel. Your love for poppies shines through every line, and the way you’ve woven your road trip memories into the narrative adds a personal and heartfelt touch.

    What truly stands out is your thoughtful exploration of composition—foreground, middle ground, and background—presented so naturally through your images and reflections. It never feels technical; instead, it feels like an invitation to see more deeply.

    Liked by 2 people

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About Me

I’m a former university adjunct Professor and retired recreation & parks practitioner living in North-Eastern Washington State near the Idaho border. Second Wind Leisure Perspectives is my blog about living a leisure lifestyle, including photography, friends, fitness, and fun.

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