I love Matilija Poppies. They are normally up the coast a bit, but in the Arroyo where I walk there are a bunch.
Photographed them today and just marveled at them.
Great way to start a day. While I was asking them to sit for a portrait, a four foot long big brown snake slithered over my foot. Did not look like anything from around here and I wonder if some of the rich people whose houses line the hill over the Arroyo had let loose one of their 'exotic' pets. This happens all over here. In South Pasadena, just 2 miles from the condo, there are flocks(is that right? flocks?) of 'wild' parrots who have been there for ages from some one who opened the cage door long ago.