Despite the still-ongoing COVID-19 stay-at-home order restricting people from traveling, the power of the internet saves the day by bringing us the most spectacular views every day. This time, NASA decided to bless our eyes by sharing incredible satellite images of a massive orange poppy superbloom in Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. Turns out, the superbloom was so intense in mid-April that it was easily seen from space.
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After late-season heavy rainfall blessed Antelope Valley in California, it got swarmed by blooming poppies
Image credits: NASA
While people in many countries all over the world are still under the COVID-19 stay-at-home order, NASA has given us some spectacular images to feast our eyes on without even having to leave home! The space agency’s Landsat 8 satellite captured these mesmerizing views of Antelope Valley in California on April 14th.
The superbloom was so massive, it could be seen from space
Image credits: NASA
NASA’s Landsat 8 satellite captured the spectacular view on April 14th, 2020
Image credits: NASA
Images show the massive orange poppy superbloom in the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve as seen from space. “The flowers bloomed after Southern California received significant rainfall in March and April 2020,” wrote NASA.
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve officers said flowers were then at the peak of their bloom
Image credits: NASA
These shots of Antelope Valley were taken by a NASA aircraft T-34 last year
Image credits: NASA
They also said that the region received more rains than usual this year. “This spring, Lancaster received around 10.5 inches (27 centimeters) of rain—almost 4 inches (10 centimeters) above normal,” wrote the space agency.
"The flowers bloomed after Southern California received significant rainfall in March and April 2020," NASA wrote
Image credits: NASA
Park officials call this superbloom a surprise, since it wasn’t expected due to the late-season rains
Image credits: NASA
A superbloom is an event when a large number of various wildflowers bloom at the same time due to a perfect blend of various weather conditions.
State park interpreter Jean Rhyne said the bloom time changes every year
Image credits: NASA
It generally happens early in April, but due to various weather conditions, it can take place any time between mid-March and early May
Image credits: NASA
The bright orange of poppies dominates the color palette of images shared by NASA, but the fields of Antelope Valley are taken over not only by them. Purple forget-me-nots and bush pines are also blooming right now, as are yellow goldfields.
The mesmerizing shots were taken from a NASA aircraft T-34, which is seen flying over Antelope Valley in California in this image
Image credits: NASA
But it's not only NASA who's annually blessing us with amazing shots of Antelope Valley's super bloom
Image credits: elliotmcgucken
State park interpreter Jean Rhyne stated that generally, the bloom in the park happens in early April, yet it varies every year. “The bloom time changes every year,” she said. “Generally, it happens early in April, but it can take place any time between mid-March and early May.”
The poppy superbloom is a prized shot to many landscape photographers
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And they rarely miss a chance to share it on Instagram
Image credits: artbymarigold
NASA also wrote that “depending on the day or even hour, the orange patches may change in appearance. The poppies open their petals during sunny periods, appearing like a large blanket over the landscape. The flowers tend to close during windy, cold periods.”
Thus we can enjoy the spectacular view despite the park being temporarily closed to visitors
Image credits: nomadic_natalia
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is temporarily closed to visitors due to the COVID-19 stay-at-home order
Image credits: elena.nesterets.photos