This is the time of year when the roadsides of California are alight with bright orange poppies. It is always quite a show. In Arcata they were just opening for the most part, but the closer I got to San Francisco on the way back yesterday the more I saw. This specimen was in a particularly sunny spot along one of the trails at Arcata Marsh.

Canon SX40HS. Program with iContrast and – 1 /3EV exposure compensation. 840mm equivalent field of view.

Processed in Lightroom for intensity, clarity, and sharpness.