Authorities attempting to protect Southern California’s too-popular Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve were shocked when a tourist helicopter carrying two presumed flower lovers landed smack in the middle of the now-off-limits park on Monday, the Los Angeles Times reports. “We never thought it would be explicitly necessary to state that it is illegal to land a helicopter in the middle of the fields and begin hiking off-trail in the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve,” the park rangers posted with the hashtag #Don’tDoomTheBloom. “We were wrong.” After wildfires and heavy rains, the scenic area’s “super bloom” is especially stunning this year and authorities have had to limit access for the throngs of tourists to help preserve the poppy fields. The Times reports that when a law-enforcement officer began approaching the pair, they ran back to the chopper and flew away; local officials are said to be trying to track down who operated and chartered the flight.
