Natural History Wanderings

DesertUSA has the following desert wildflower reports:

Death Valley:  April 8&9. The CA190 roadside west of the entrance and east side of Towne Pass were a very nice display of golden evening primrose, Globemallow, and a sprinkling of bright red Desert Paintbrush. There was also lots of blue phacelia and purple varieties that I don’t recognize.
The best show was at an old mill site at mile marker 7 on the Wildrose road. There was the very fragant purple chia and desert sage, blue phacelia, hillsides of yellow golden evening Primrose, desert dandelions, and some really fantastic Mojave Asters as well as globemallow, indigo bush, …
see photos at:  Death Valley Wildflower Report – DesertUSA.

Mohave National Preserve, April 4-7. We camped off Kelbaker Rd (north of highway 40) tucked up next to the Granite Mountains on a dirt road. This is the kind of Spring when you need to stop and look. If you drive or even walk too fast you’ll miss something cool. Those who love desert flowers and take their time will be rewarded.
See photos at:  Desert Wildflower report Mojave National Preserve by DesertUSA.

Anza- Borrego: Grapevine Canyon on 4/9/14 lots of wildflowers and cactus in bloom on the upper part of the canyon. High clearance vehicle recommended, a few rocky area once in the park. We came off of S22 by Ranchita there is sign marking the road, from there it is all downhill, the best way to go. The flowers can be spotted from the car.
see photos at:  Desert Wildflower Reports for Anza Borrego Desert State Park by DesertUSA.

Borregohiking.com report on Culp Valley in Anza-Borrego  4/10/14

This is the time to visit Culp Valley, cool and still some flowers.
And Culp Valley, due to the 2012 fire is still accessible.
Hike description: http://borregohiking.com/hiking/2014_the_slab-clup_valley_loop.html
Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/eFMerTrail/TheSlabClupValleyLoop