Spring is officially here! With that begins a glorious new season of hiking and camping. Spring is one of my favorite seasons to be outdoors, mainly because of balmy weather, mild sunshine, refreshing breeze and the burst of colors brought on by wildflowers. With a plethora of flowering plants on the trails, this season allows me to joyfully indulge in my love of macro photography. Viewing a flower or a leaf up-close through a macro lens is like getting a peek into an enchanting world, filled with nature’s artistic details and exquisite beauty. Visiting national and state parks in spring is a great idea! You’ll not only beat the summer crowds and have many trails to yourself, but you’ll also get to see everything come alive after a long winter hibernation. In the Bay Area, Henry W. Coe State Park, Edgewood Park and Preserve and Point Reyes National Seashore are popular with hikers in spring, mainly due to their wildflower displays.
Here is a photo essay on wildflowers to get you in the mood, as you set out on that spring walk, a bounce in your step.
Cherry Blossoms
Desert sunflower
Dew-kissed beauty
Fairy bouquets
Lavender hues
Lush earth
Nature’s best designs
Pink California poppies
Windblown wildflowers
New life springs forth
One of my goals for this year is to learn to recognize and name as many flowering plants and wildflowers as I can while hiking. Do you enjoy looking for wildflowers while on a hike? What do you like best about being outdoors in spring? Let us know in the comments.
Happy Hiking!
~ Trupti