Cycling: Poppies

[speedbird591]

Another day, another season. The weather's been so good lately that I've been managing two rides a week. I usually take the digicam but don't take so many pics now. Only if I see something different. This colourful scene really caught my eye yesterday so I thought I'd share it.



Or click here for a 1024 version

Ian

[DaveB]

Most unusual though I'm guessing the shots don't capture just how good that looked.. if you see what I mean

ATB

DaveB

[speedbird591]

Hi Dave! The poppies are a by-product of organic wheat farming. The seeds are incredibly sturdy and can lie dormant in the soil for a very long time. Normally weedkiller and pesticides stop them from flowering, but as soon as you stop using them they bounce back along with the insects and wildlife.

When I'm cycling alongside a field like this there is a constant drone of insects and birdsong - especially skylarks which are ground nesting - and plenty of colourful butterflies. In contrast, a field of chemically protected wheat is silent and still. 'Give me spots on apples, but leave me the birds and the bees!'

Over the next few weeks when the poppies peak there should be opportunities to improve on that picture so I'll see what I can do!

Ian

[FlyTexas]

It would be hard to improve on that picture, Ian. Beautiful!

Brian

[Garry Russell]

I can imaging it Ian

Poppies are funny flowers

Very hard to germinate they do as you say spring back from nowhere after laying dormant

Sometimes disturbing the soild sets them off as with what happened in WW1.

[Tomliner]

Lovely Ian.Poppies in dappled green fields,what a visual feast. EricT