Andy Rodker's photos with the keyword: poppy field

I have maybe a couple more to post in the fullness of time. The map puts me in the neighbouring parish of Fuente El Saz. I checked and they're right - by about 5 centimeters!

The sun went behind a cloud briefly, giving a differently nuanced timbre to the colour scheme of this poppy field. Not too bad on large and then large again. Sight and Sound: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsJ_N5tBgVM

After complaining about the lack of poppies these past few years I went on a poppy hunt - and found loads of them and also an ostrich farm (photo to come)! These two discoveries are, I think, related. Here's what I think. One farmer decided that grain wasn't profitable any longer so he let his fields run to seed, as it were, and invested in ostriches instead. This year, there were a few roadside poppies in mid May but then from that time on we've had thunderstorms everyday and it was just the right situation for the dormant poppy seeds. Et voilà!

Sadly these haven't been seen here since 2016. A change in farm ownership put paid to the proliferation of poppies at this time of year (mid May) in order to increase profitability. Poppies are picturesque but they render the grain un-harvestable. I post this now as this is what the fields around here USED to look like at this time of year! Just noticed this was taken exactly 8 years ago! How time flies when you're having fun!! Suggest on large and maybe large again.. Probably posted before, but I wanted to pay homage to these fields as they were once. Sight and sound. This touched me. David Bowie's daughter. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ss2qEgU0ZQ www.youtube.com/shorts/NAMX9XQLbzQ Cute!

Looking forward to spring! Sadly poppies don't thrive here any more. A new farmer wants profitable fields and who can blame him? Btw, that white wall has been knocked down between 2015 and now. I can't find it on Google maps but I know exactly where I was at the time! Sight and sound. A bit of Rachmaninov didn't harm anyone! www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEGOihjqO9w

Another of my sister's shots (taken from the car). Possibly the only remaining poppy field in Algete after their mass eradication in recent years.

Near my current home in Algete but I wasn't living here when I took this shot. It was taken on a visit to my sister's then home in a flat in Algete town. I have very probably posted this before but I felt it was worth another airing!

Poppy field near Algete, Madrid Province.

There's always one that has to be taller than the rest!

In the distance, the Sierra de Guadarrama is shrouded in haze and cloud. The sun had just gone in when I took this shot and that fact has helped mute the stridency of the red.

Near my sister's home, Algete, Madrid Province. 2016 was the last proper poppy field performance. For whatever reason (weather? pesticides?) 2017, 2018 and 2019 were no-shows. On the horizon at the left is the serrated crest of La Sierra de La Cabrera, favourite granite walking country.

A pleasant walk in springtime, near my sister's home.

Algete, Madrid Province, Sierra de La Cabrera on the horizon.

This year (2017) produced no poppies at all in these fields. Most years there is a good show; this from 2015.

By the side of the minor road between Torrelaguna and La Cabrera