Natural History Wanderings

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve posted the following wildflower bloom report today (5-4-11):

“It looked like we were going to have a very disappointing poppy bloom this year, but it turned out to just be running late! The late rains and cold weather were holding the poppies back, but the recent warm weather has brought out the color. We still don’t have carpets of orange like we’ve had some years, but there are lots of plants with big, bright flowers scattered all over the hillsides.  They can be found along many of the south-facing trails, but it looks like the best areas are along the beginning of the South Poppy Loop Trail and around the picnic area (see Current Photos).

How long it lasts depends on the weather- a heat wave will wilt them quickly, but if the current pleasant weather lasts, it could be nice for about the next 3 weeks or so.

This has been a rather unusual spring for wildflower displays.  Even though the first seed germination-triggering rain storm came early last fall, the first poppy blossoms were not seen until late February; a month or more later than past years with similar early rain storms. It wasn’t a great year for other wildflowers either, but the variety that did have a modest showing have mostly gone to seed now.

Poppies bundle themselves up when it’s cold and windy, so check the forecast before coming out. Tours are offered on weekends during the wildflower season that point out the variety of wildflowers that you many not have otherwise noticed, as well as the colorful history of the area.”