Natural History Wanderings

I just received the following report and photos from Kathy Sanders, ranger at Hungry Valley for Hungry Valley and Gorman:

Hungry Valley Wildflower Update for April 8, 2010

There is a nice showing of California Coreopsis (Coreopsis California) and California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) blooming on one south facing slope along Powerline Road in the south grassland area along with just a few Tidy Tips (Layia playglossa), Davy Gilia (Gilia latiflora), Fiddleneck (Amsinckia tessellata), Pygmy-leafed Lupine (Lupinus bicolor), and Blazing Stars (Mentzelia albicaulis).  There are also small patches of Baby Blue-Eyes (Nemophila menziesii) blooming along Stipa Trail in the north grasslands. The blooms are still slow in starting and with some more heat, may be close to peaking mid-April. Although the bloom is just beginning to take off only in the south grassland area, the Hungry Valley wildflower tours (weekends only) led by Park Rangers and staff will begin this weekend, April 10 & 11. Visitors are asked to meet at the Hungry Valley Visitor Center at 11:00 am. and follow park staff to the viewing area. Hungry Valley also provides a self-guided touring route that can be accessed on any day for those on their own schedule. The self-guided tour begins at the park Visitor Center and is marked with distinctive blue and white flower signs. Free wildflower guides are available at the park entrance station showing the wildflower areas.

The Gorman Hills along the I-5 freeway have large patches of California Coreopsis ((Coreopsis California) with only a few Lupine and California Poppies showing at this time. More wildflowers should be visible in the Gorman area once the weather warms up within the next week or two.

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