Natural History Wanderings

Visit Kern Wildflower Sightings just published their final wildflower update for the 2012

That was a bummer.

Thanks to a dry winter and some wildly-inconsistent spring weather, the 2012 Kern County wildflower season never materialized. With that in mind, this will be the season’s final post from the Kern County Wildflower Hotline.
Those in search of color can still find a few blooms. Just as important, Kern County’s many ecological preserves and attractions are ready to entertain visitors who just want a taste of The Great Outdoors.

At the Hungry Valley State Recreation Area south of Lebec, the season’s wildflower tours have ended but there are still opportunities for self-guided treks. Visible as of this writing are poppies, scarlet bugler, chaparral yucca and mariposas. Good viewing was reported along Stipa, Powerline and Badger roads, and along the first mile of Gold Hill Road from the northern entrance.

For more  information about non-flower outdoor attractions in Kern click read more

Kern County’s many outdoor attractions remain open.

Windwolves Preserve east of Maricopa is a great place to view local wildlife, including more than 200 endangered Tule elk and the majestic California condor. The preserve is open from 9am to 6pm daily for hiking and picnicking. Campground spaces are available Friday after 2:30 pm through 6 pm on Sunday by advanced reservation. Contact the preserve at (661) 858-1115 for more information.

The Tejon Ranch Conservancy has expanded its community access program, with hikes and four-wheel drive tours planned throughout the summer. Hikes are limited to 30 persons, four-wheel excursion to 10 persons, and reservations are required. A full schedule can be found at www.TejonConservancy.org/events.

The Carrizo Plain National Monument, which straddles the Kern / San Luis Obispo County line west of Taft, has ended its guided hike program for the season but a map highlighting a self-guided tour can be found atwww.BLM.gov. Highlights include the Soda Lake overlook, Wallace Creek, and the infamous San Andreas Fault. Podcast downloads available from the web site can enhance the experience.

Audubon’s Kern River Preserve near Weldon protects one of California’s finest remaining forests and the wildlife that call the area home. The 3,000-acre preserve, one of the largest contiguous riparian forests in the state, provides habitat for rare and endangered birds. Special events, such as the Spring Nature Festival and Turkey Vulture Festival, are held throughout the year. Call the preserve at (760) 378-2531 or visitwww.kern.audubon.org for information.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service operates the 11,000-acre Kern National Wildlife Refuge west of Delano. The park consists of grasslands, riparian corridor, developed marsh, and visitor center. A year round 6.5-mile auto route leads through the some of the wetlands. Hunting opportunities for waterfowl are jointly managed by staff and the Department of Fish and Game. For details call (661) 725-2767.

If a more controlled environment is your pleasure, visit the California Living Museum at 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway near Bakersfield. CALM is a unique zoo and botanical garden featuring the wildlife and flora of the Southern San Joaquin Valley. Birds of prey, big cats, bears and assorted reptiles are among the inhabitants. Call (661) 872-2256 or visit www.CalmZoo.org for more information.

The Board of Trade encourages you to visit and enjoy Kern County’s wildflowers, but please enjoy them responsibly. Picking wildflowers is illegal and also interferes with pollination. Please respect all signs regarding accessibility and do not trespass on private property to view the blooms.