Stunning displays of golden California poppies are to be found along the Merced River canyon on California Highway 140 on the way to Yosemite National Park. Long time residents seem to be in universal agreement–this is one of the best years for wildflowers in over a decade.

Traveling east, and beginning at the Merced River Recreation area at Briceburg, and for about 10 miles until just after the Ferguson Rockslide detours, including Hite’s Cove, the hills are carpeted with brilliant dark orange blossoms, sprinkled liberally with white popcorn flowers.

Late afternoon is the best time to see the display, the westering sunlight illuminating the slopes with slanting, warm light.

This display will go away with the first hard rainfall, or sooner as the blossoms give up their petals to produce seeds for next year’s crop.

Photographers, bring a circular polarizer, and a long lens. Most of the display is across the river from the road, and the whole area is ripe for detail images.