Enjoying Nature, Locally

Spring has finally arrived in California. After months of seemingly endless rain, the sun is out, temperatures are up, and there are signs of new life all around. I’ve spotted a tiny fawn in my yard more than once, the bees are abuzz in our giant echium bush, and we even have a few morel mushrooms popping up outside our home. 
 
I’ve been itching to spend more time outside to soak in all these changes. In particular, I’ve been day-dreaming about making a pilgrimage to one of the wildflower superblooms erupting across the state. Several years ago, I did just that, jumping into a car with my sister and a friend for a last-minute adventure to the Mojave Desert. It was magical.
 
This time around, a spontaneous road trip isn’t in the cards — it feels like a much heavier lift with my toddler and infant in tow.
 
So instead of traveling to see the vast fields of orange poppies, yellow goldfields, and purple-hued blue dicks spread across central and southern California, I’ve been taking in the wildflowers springing up nearby. Such as the beautiful patch of poppies interspersed with purple lupine that I pass by on my way to and from my kids’ daycare each day. Or the pale-yellow iris and delicate, white milk maids that dot the hiking trail near my house. And the flowering wood sorrel cropping up across my un-weeded yard.
 
These smaller swaths of color don’t have the same visual impact as a sprawling superbloom, sure. But they come without the car trip and the crowds. And when I take the time to admire them, they bring me joy.

Photo by chapstickaddict

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