Poppy in Pearls

[Matt Tilghman]

The California Poppy has to be one of the most beautiful flowers I know. On good wildflower years, some landscapes here in California can become totally blanketed by blooms, leading to a downright surreal display. But it's easy to forget how beautiful single blossoms are, too. Sometimes I like to look for poppies before the wildflower season has truly begun, to catch the early risers. It's easier to appreciate the intricate beauty within each individual poppy. As a bonus, sometimes these few over-eager poppies catch a few end-of-the-season rain showers, and become draped in delicate moisture – a dress these spring flowers seldom wear.

Poppy in Pearls

[davidh202]

That is a pretty Poppy Matt
 Just one little flaw in the double reflection of that left edge center petal.A little fix and you have a gem!

Easily remedied by a selection of the petal, inverting to protect the edge and cloning it out. ;-)
While your at it, darkening or cloning out that light diagonal leaf behind the flower, would also help it is just a wee distracting.

David

[sdwilsonsct]

Very nice!

[Matt Tilghman]

Thanks, guys!  David, I noticed that blur on the petal... I toyed with the idea of fixing it.  The fact that you noticed it too and didn't like it was enough for me.  It's now fixed!

[francois]

Luminescent and so gorgeous!

Well done

[Paulo Bizarro]

Very nice.

[Matt Tilghman]

Thank you Francois and Paulo!

[sdwilsonsct]

Just one little flaw in the double reflection of that left edge center petal.A little fix and you have a gem!

Hey Matt -- what caused that reflection???

[Matt Tilghman]

It was not actually a reflection.  This is a focus-stacked image, and the tips of the petals were in slightly different locations.  The blending process left both visible.