The Blue Poppy In The Valley of Flowers

 

The Valley of Flowers never ceases to take my breathe away and did so again, in more ways than one. I am puffing and panting my way up to the Valley in Uttarakhand, a part of the high altitude Nanda Devi Biosphere.  The route is not steep nor long but it is at an average altitude of 3340 metres, and it is prudent to be cautious.   It was June 2018 and I was on a trip to the Valley of Flowers (VoF). 

I had heard about the Himalayan Poppy (or Blue Poppy) that grows in this region, on an earlier trip.  (See links to earlier blogs at the end of this one). Though it was early in the season and the chances of seeing one seemed remote, I it would be nice if I could photograph one.  The ‘best’ time is in August when I went on my previous trip, but the crowds are daunting at that time, so this time I went in mid-June and found VoF almost to myself. However as I enjoy hiking and photographing nature, sightings didn't bother me too much.

The route up is picturesque, crossing the Pushpawati River, I stopped to take many photographs because the light was right, my enthusiasm being more ardent than my skill. Along the way I came across many Pika, as long as I didn't make a sudden movement, they were bold and came sniffing right up to me. The peaks on either side are covered in snow and small glaciers come down into the valley, feeding a series of tiny streams.  The Valley itself is astride the Pushpawati River with the snow covered mountain Rataban at the other end.  

While walking up, I came across a forest guard and we got chatting and I told him that I was looking for the Blue Poppy.  Nonchalantly he told me that there was a bunch alongside the path a little further on and they were in full bloom.  I was surprised, a full bunch of them, and this early in the season?  I thought he was mistaken, but as he and I walked on, true to his word there they were.

Blue Poppies, up close, in bright light, it was a photographers dream. There were two bushes with three flowers and a few buds each by the track.  It took me a while to still my excitement and take photos to my complete satisfaction. So close to the path yet I would have missed them had the forest guard not told me. perhaps I had mentally decided that there were none to be seen.  

A simple but elegant plant, the diaphanous petals of the flower are breathtakingly pretty.  The spiny stem and leaves are a sharp counterpoint to the gentle blue petals and yellow stamens of each flower.

I simply could not satiate myself of these lovely Blue Poppies, and I took many pictures to etch the memory in my minds eye.  Regrettably  it was now time to return, I had to be out of the park by sunset. The water in the Pushawati river had risen as the snow on the mountains had melted during the sunny day, I could not help but stop for a few more photos before hurrying on my way. 

After a last look at the Valley (many last looks), I hurry down towards the entrance. At the gate I meet my friend the forest guard and he asks me "so, did you see any flowers?" I think the dreamy smile on my face tells him all.

I like Jim Carrey’s thought that ‘Flowers don't worry about how they're going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful.’

I have done three blogs earlier on this entire trip, should you wish, the links are here:

Tungnath and Chandrashila - Communion with the Gods

Hemkund Sahib Revisited

Who Says There are No Flowers in the Valley of Flowers?