About the publisher: As much as I love the beauty of the flowers in this latest superbloom, I feel like the rapid influx of tourists to the desert around Lancaster and Palmdale is causing problems.

Many times I have seen dozens if not hundreds of cars lined up along a very busy dual carriageway to park and drive through these fields. People often cross the highway in areas where motorists are not allowed to overtake slower cars, as blind spots on the road are surrounded by hills and curves.

Rattlesnakes are also appearing now that the weather is warmer, and they love to warm up among these flowering plants and where tourists walk.

these fields

,

in particular

,

are California poppies, the state flower, and they are protected from picking, which I’ve seen many people do.

For the safety of local commuters and the longevity of these beautiful flowers, please use common sense when visiting our home to view this amazing phenomenon.

Christopher McCullah, Green Valley, California…

About the publisher: You must practice what you preach.

While you’ve published articles discussing proper flower viewing etiquette, you recently published a photo on the cover of the California section of the print edition that shows someone standing in the middle of a field of wildflowers.

Don’t show pictures of people stepping on the flowers. Remind visitors to stay on the trails and leave the flowers for everyone to see.

Kathy Hanson, Huntington Beach