Vast fields of Golden Poppies have ever been one of the strong and peculiar features of California scenery. The gladsome beauty of this peerless flower has brought renown to the land of its birth. Present everywhere, at all times in some form, it is not surprising that it has taken firm hold of the affections of the people,and that the homage of the nature-loving world is so freely offered it.
—Emory E. Smith, The Golden Poppy, 1902


But it's one of the first signs of spring out here in California, and so I figured I'd share these two photos of the first poppies I saw this year. They were growing on the side of a gully mere feet from a major intersection in my part of Sacramento. I had to take a picture; it was simply one of those moments of wonder that I felt I had to share.