Superbloom Hills Above Carrizo Plain, California

by Brian Tada

Title

Superbloom Hills Above Carrizo Plain, California

Artist

Brian Tada

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photograph

Description

This is my photographic interpretation of the amazing and spectacular floral landscape seen from the main road leading through the very remote and stunningly majestic Carrizo Plain National Monument in south-central California during the 2019 Superbloom. This is the largest single native grassland remaining in California.

The golden spring tones of hillside daisies (Monolopia lanceolata) and goldfields (Lasthenia californica) along with the purple blues of great valley phacelia (Phacelia ciliate) paint a magnificent tapestry of complementary colors on the Temblor hills rising above the floral plain. A touch of California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) grace the top center of the photo. More hillside daisies mixed with Carrizo fiddleneck blossoms (Amsinckia tessellata var. gloriosa) adorn the meadow in the foreground.

This floral phenomenon occurs on average only once every decade in the deserts of the Golden State. The 2019 Superbloom is said to rival that of the one in 2017, which is considered among the most spectacular in the previous 20 years.

The rare botanical spectacle is the result of a prolonged period of drought to reduce competing weeds ~ followed by well-timed rainfall up to twice the normal amount.

This extra moisture, combined with accumulated soil nutrients over the years along with stored up dormant seeds results in an eye-popping explosion of wildflowers blooming in choreographed synchronization throughout the deserts.

The 2017 and 2019 floral extravaganzas were so vast that they were visible from space.

The floral masterpiece created by God Himself is indicative of His great love for us by providing such tremendous beauty for us to enjoy ~ and to steward wisely for generations to come.

“For behold, the winter has past,
    the rain is over, it has gone.
Blossoms appear in the land,
    the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtle-dove
    is heard in our land.”
~ Song of Songs 2:11-12

As these hills sing joyfully in many colors, it didn’t come about without a price.

There were years of punishing drought, of waiting, of saving up a storehouse of soil nutrients ~ resources as it were ~ to produce this magnificent expression of beauty at just the right time.

So it is with life itself.

Perhaps there are times when you feel like quitting, of throwing in the towel.

Maybe there are days when you might have felt ridiculed or slighted on the job, or things got overwhelming at the office, or that inconsiderate driver cut you off on the freeway… Or perhaps you are going through financial challenges or have health concerns...

In the midst of these things, James the earthly brother of Jesus exhorts us to “consider it all joy” when we experience trails, knowing that when our faith is tested, it produces endurance, which strengthens us to become whole and complete individuals, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).

Because when you think about it, each and every one of life’s trials and challenges ~ yes, tribulations, too ~ are the seedbed for your maturity ~ for growth, for learning, and for becoming a wiser and better person.

To become stronger, in order to weather the storms of life.

These storms water the seeds of greatness God Himself has planted inside you.

And then you will be able to respond to each trial, each challenge, each stressful situation with grace and dignity rather than to simply submit to the natural human reactions of impatience, anger or frustration.

For who knows when there may come a time when a breakthrough occurs because you remained faithful to the calling and purpose of God on your life. Even when you felt like quitting. But you kept pressing forward with the empowerment of the Creator’s precious Holy Spirit.

Your story of victorious overcoming will touch many people’s lives through the light, grace and dignity you exhibited through life’s challenges. Which will bring glory and honor and joy to the King of the universe.

Like the magnificent superbloom visible from space, your current time of trial and testing has the potential to be transformed into a wondrous testimonial which will shine brightly and encourage others to keep the faith... to persevere ~ and not give up.


*****

Grateful to God and thankful to the group hosts for featuring this image on the home pages of the Fine Art America groups:
* VISIONS OF SPRING, GLANCES OF SUMMER, 03.20.21
* WISCONSIN FLOWERS AND SCENERY, 03.20.21
* OUR WORLD GALLERY, 03.21.21
* YOUR STORY OF ART, 03.21.21
* ART FOR THE LOVE OF ART, 03.21.21
* BRIGHT FLUORESCENT ARTWORKS, 03.22.21
* FINE ART AMERICA PROFESSIONALS, 03.24.21
* DAILY PROMOTION, 03.24.21
* IMAGES THAT EXCITE YOU, 03.24.21
(also featured on the group's Pinterest board by the host)
* YOUR VERY BEST PHOTOGRAPHY, 03.24.21
* 10 PLUS.03.25.21
* NEW FAA UPLOADS, 03.25.21
* NO PLACE LIKE HOME, 03.25.21
* ARTIST SALON 1, 03.26.21
* THE WORLD WE SEE, 03.26.21
* THE TOP 50 FEATURES, 03.29.21
* FAA GALLERY HOME FOR ALL ARTISTS WHO CREATE, 03.31.21
* JUST PERFECT, 04.02.21
* WHAT'S NEW, 04.06.21
* HODGE PODGE, 04.07.21
* ART FOR PASSION, PASSION FOR ART, 03.31.22
* FINE ART EXPLORATION PHOTOGRAPHY, 04.01.22


Artwork notes:

Embedded in the top right-hand corner is the Hebrew acronym for "B'ezras Hashem" [ ב ס " ד ] meaning "with God's help". It is a reminder to me as an artist of my dependence on the Almighty, the Originator of all creativity. This is a similar acknowledgement used by great artists like Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel who signed their work with the Latin phrase, "Soli Deo gloria" which means, "Glory to God alone".

This image may be ordered as a museum quality fine art print (framed or unframed) and other products featured on this page. All artwork ordered through Fine Art America comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and world-wide shipping is available.

The "Fine Art America" watermark in the full resolution preview will not show in the final print/product purchased.

Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version. Copyright © 2011, 2012, 2013 by the Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society. Used by permission of the Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society. "TLV" and "Tree of Life Version" and "Tree of Life Holy Scriptures" are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by the Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.

Photo image and description both copyright © 2021 Brian Tada. All rights reserved. To the glory of God. Downloading, duplication, and/or retransmission, in whole or in part, is prohibited.

Shareable link:
bit.ly/superbloomhills

Uploaded

March 18th, 2021

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