Natural History Wanderings

Wildflower Sightings at Visit Kern posted the following wildflower update:

“Travelers along Interstate 5 descending The Grapevine can expect to see patches of poppies dotting the nearby hillsides. Recent winds hindered the growth somewhat, but displays of color can still be seen. It’s a similar story along State Route 178 ascending the Kern River Canyon, with the occasional poppy joined by a bit of fiddleneck. In both locations, the best is still yet to come.The Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve south of Rosamond has several concentrations of growth. Despite one of the driest winters on record, poppies can be easily seen standing out in the otherwise brown landscape. The Antelope Trail North Loop and the Lightning Bolt Trail are good places to spot poppies. The Poppy Trail South Loop also has goldfields and grape soda lupine mixing it up with the poppies. The park is open during daylight hours only.”