Heralded as the biggest showing of desert flowers in a decade, news of Death Valley’s super bloom was enough to convince Jay and I to drive four and a half hours out of Los Angeles.
![](http://hellosoph.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sjc-0057-683x1024.jpg)
Desert Gold
For a place known for extreme weather – including the hottest temperature recorded on Earth – the burst of flora is surprising. Yet I remembered talking to a biker from a previous photo series and how much he enjoyed seeing the wildflowers every year. This time, I decided to check them out for myself during a brief weekend excursion.
![](http://hellosoph.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sjc-0051-1024x1024.jpg)
Pebble Pincushion
![](http://hellosoph.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sjc-0049-1024x683.jpg)
Popcorn Flower
![](http://hellosoph.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sjc-0056-1024x683.jpg)
Desert Star
![](http://hellosoph.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sjc-0053-1024x683.jpg)
Gravel Ghost
![](http://hellosoph.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sjc-0044-1024x683.jpg)
Brown-Eyed Evening Primrose
![](http://hellosoph.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sjc-0066-1024x683.jpg)
Golden Desert Snapdragon
![](http://hellosoph.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sjc-0059-1024x683.jpg)
Desert Five-spot
![](http://hellosoph.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sjc-0046-1024x683.jpg)
Caltha-leaf Phacelia
I don’t typically shoot macro shots, and I certainly did not bring the appropriate lens to shoot flowers closely – but it was delightful to see how many flowers we could find and document. The diversity was remarkable and served as incredible reminders of how life can find a way to survive in the most arid conditions.