Natural History Wanderings

DesertUSA mentions the following locations has some new reports for Southern California. See photos for these locations at: Desert Wildflower Reports for Southern California by DesertUSA.

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve they are large and vibrant and growing in large patches – far exceeding our expectations! Best spot: west end of the North Poppy Loop Trail, with the biggest flowers I’ve ever seen! Remember to stay on the trail; we’ve had rattlers out there too! The poppies are right along the trail so you don’t need to go out in the fields anyway!

 Lancaster. Taken 4-7-14 northwest corner of Ave L and 10th St East (aka Challenger)

 Ave “T” between Palmdale and Saddleback Butte State Park.

Elizabeth Lake Another good spot was where Munz Ranch road and Elizabeth Lake Rd meet at

Santa Ana Mts: South Main Divide Rd., in the Santa Ana Mts., perusing what was an orgy of botany, every bit as fantastic as advertised. One previous visitor to the area claimed it was the best wildflower display west of the desert: he may be correct.

Though my time was limited, I was still able to find Caterpillar Phacelia, Miniature and Stinging lupine, Canterbury bells (hillsides blanketed with it), California and Hairy suncup, San Diego jewelflower, a single Fire poppy, California poppies, Woodland stars, Short-lobed Phacelia (ubiquitous in some areas), Common cryptantha, Prickly phlox, Bishop’s lotus, Blue dicks, Black sage, Globe gilia, Johnny jup-ups, Chaparral pea, Our Lord’s candle, Paper daisy, Tidy tips, Sticky monleyflower, Paintbrush (C. foliolosa), Slender sunflower, Showey penstemon, Red-skinned onion, Coulter’s snpardragon, a few Baby blue-eyes, Chia, and a single small Clarkia.

Santa Rosa Plateau I found buttercups, checkermallow, Blue-eyed grass, Common Muilla and Pomona locoweed.