SPRING IS IN THE AIR! The sun sets later, the flowers are blooming and it's time to bring out those cute summer dresses we tucked away in our closets (but as a California girl, let's be real, I never put them away since the winters here are an average of 68 degrees).
This time last year, California was experiencing severe droughts across the golden state. We were warned of having a water shortage and made water conservation a priority. Remember when the ice bucket challenge was happening? Oh yeah, that viral phenomenon! Whenever I read the comments section of my friends' videos participating in the ALS challenge, there would always be that one person that wrote, "How could you waste clean water?! WE ARE IN A DROUGHT!" Fast forward to this past winter. Mother Nature came through when California desperately needed to get some rain because boy did it rain this past season. We had rain fall almost every week and our drought troubles became a distant memory. People were planning cabin trips to Big Bear, Mammoth and Lake Tahoe to catch some fresh snow. The results of the downpour is a wildflower BLOOM! California desert areas are ready for the spring season with various wildflowers such as golden poppies, purple Canterbury Bells, red Monkey Flowers and white Desert Lilies blooming across the state.
A couple weeks ago, I saw a friend post pictures of her backyard, Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore, California. Fresh green hills and bright, orange flowers were beautifully captured. It reminded me about the time John and I had frolicked in a field of sunflowers, this time we had to frolic in these poppies, the California state flower. Time was of the essence as the flowers will wither with the hot, summer air.
How to get there
Walker Canyon is located in Lake Elsinore, Riverside County. Take the 15 freeway and exit Lake Street. You can park on the side of either freeway exits (North or South), Lake Street or Walker Canyon Road.
The entrance of the canyon is at the intersection of Lake St and Walker Canyon Rd.
Photography Tips & Just Lettin' Ya Know
Tip #1: For outfits, I would recommend wearing white or pastel colors to contrast the flowers. Flowy dresses or tops will give you the whimsical, spring vibe that you might be looking for.
Tip #2: Wear COMFORTABLE shoes! Ladies, don't wear heels or shoes you care about because you will be walking in dirt. There isn't any paved roads and the flowers are mostly on the hills which means walking up and down the dirt hills. I wore my converse and was comfortable. Tell your photographer to cut off your shoes when taking your picture.
Tip #3: I arrived there around 3pm and that wasn't the best idea... the sun was still pretty harsh so a lot of the pictures came out too exposed for my taste. For the best lighting golden hours are always perfect. Golden hour is the hour after the sunrises and the hour right before the sunsets. When we were leaving around 4:30pm there were a lot more professional-looking people walking into the canyon. (Professional looking you might ask? They had an entourage and the extra photographer equipment with them).
Tip #4: In the photo's below, we didn't get as much of a full flower field aesthetic as we would've liked, compared to other pictures I've seen. A friend told me that I should've driven down Walker Canyon Road for a view of a fuller field so you might want to drive past down that way and take a look.
Tip #5: If you want a laying in the flowers picture, try to find a patch that already has been trampled on because it would be nice if we can try to preserve as much of flowers as possible, that way other people can see the majestic view. Caution of bugs when laying down.
Tip #6: There are A LOT of people! Because of all the buzz and publicity of how we are no longer in a drought and there's flowers, hoards of people are visiting the flowers. When your taking your pictures you'll have to wait for people to get out of your shot or are skilled in editing people who of your photos.
Tip #7: It was HOT! Make sure to bring water and stay hydrated. Some people brought an umbrella which isn't a bad idea because there isn't any shade.
Thoughts
It's great to know that we, Californians, have broken from our 5 year drought, and the fruits of the rain are beautiful green hills and spring flowers. The brown desert hills are no more (for now...). With spring in full swing, I can't wait to continue to chase new adventures! P.S. Did I mention it's a FREE things to do? You know how much I like doing free things.
Spring | Frolicking in a Poppy Field | No More Drought
Thank You Walker Canyon & the Mother Nature!
Experienced: March 19, 2017 Last Updated: March 22, 2017
What are your favorite thing(s) to do in spring? Have you gone somewhere to see wild flowers? What's your favorite flower?
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