Seen from space: California flowers bloom from above

Heavy rain and mountain snow that swept across California this past winter is producing a "super bloom" across the state.

Earlier this month, blankets of wildflowers coloured the California soil, predominantly northwest of Los Angeles.

The view was so spectacular that it was visible from space. The explosion of colours was known as a "super bloom", when many annual wildflowers all bloom simultaneously.

Last year, the same area was locked in drought, with more earth-tone hues, which were also visible from space. The last time a super bloom happened in the area was in 2019.

The blooms are largely dependent on winter rains, among other factors such as cooler temperatures. The fantastic blooms in California are likely linked to the immense amount of precipitation that has affected the state in recent months.

In Carrizo Plain, in the southern California desert, the blooms can be seen as brilliant swathes of purple from the phacelia, mixed with yellow patches of goldfields and hillside daisies.

California poppies are also producing blooms of vibrant orange patches in Palmdale, Los Angeles county.