Natural History Wanderings

Carrizo Plain National Monument published the following wildflower bloom report today:

“18 March 2011: Due to cool weather the wildflowers have been slow to emerge this year.  The following sightings are small and patchy.

• Bush Lupine: Selby Road.
• California Poppies: Selby Road.
• Coreopsis: Around Simmler Road. Note that since it has been raining, Simmler Road will be muddy and impassable.
• Fiddleneck: Mostly the the south end of the monument, on the west side of the Temblor Range and Elkhorn Plain. The south end of Elkhorn road will be muddy and may be impassable. Do not attempt unless you have a high-clearance 4X4.
• Filaree: There is a good bloom between the end of the pavement on Soda Lake Road south to Panorama Road. Note: Panorama Road is closed.
• Hillside Daisies: On both sides of Soda Lake Rd. from the Education Center and south. In the Temblor Range.
• Goldfields: Blooming in Calfornia Valley. There are patches around Soda Lake, along Soda Lake Road, both sides of from Panorama Rd., Elkhorn Plain and Temblor Range and south end of the monument. Note: The south end of Elkhorn road will be muddy and may be impassable. Do not attempt unless you have a high-clearance 4X4.
• Jared’s Peppergrass: (appears as a long, pale yellow strip) blooming in the center of the plain.”