Natural History Wanderings

DesertUSA reports

Was in the park and related area on 2/4/15. We saw lots of green and a few wildflower starting to bloom, it is still early. There seems to be less Sahare Mustrard weed this year, this weed can interfere with the native wildflowers. Coyote Canyon area and Henderson Canyon Road.

see photos at Anza Borrego Desert State Park – Wildflower Reports – DesertUSA.

Excerpts from Photographer Ron Niebrugge’s post on 2/3/15

I have two bits of good news regarding the desert wildflower bloom in Anza-Borrego.  First, not only are there lots of wildflower plants popping up all around – some areas are really green, but there are actually a few wildflowers already blooming as you can see from this desert lily photographed yesterday.  I have also seen patches of sand verbena as well.

But, there are very promising looking areas, I think in a few weeks it could be a good year – maybe not a great year, but certainly much better then the last three.  Maybe it is because the plant is easy to recognize, but I’m seeing lots of desert lilies in particular – one of my favorite desert wildflowers.

On top of that, it rained most of the night late last week, so that will only help, that is as long as things don’t get too hot.  The forecast is for highs in the uppers 70’s, low 80’s for the next week, as long as we avoid the 90’s I think we are ok.

What is the other good news?  The lack of Sahara Mustard!  Articles in the local newspaper speculated last year that three years of drought should have killed off the seed bank of this highly invasive species, and so far, that seems to be true!

Even the Park Ranger ….. thought it could be the best year in many years – baring a hot spell.

I still think the best bloom won’t be for a few more weeks and will go well into March.  The upcoming warm weather might speed things up a bit, in fact, the Swainson’s Hawks have already begun their migration through the area – the earliest this has ever been recorded.

See his photo at :Anza-Borrego Wildflower Outlook

Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association posted  reports for 2/1/15 and 1/30/15 for Coyote Canyon

25 Spectacle Pods  Dithyrea californica beside the Coyote Canyon Jeep Trail, an easy walk just north of the DiGiorgio Road. Also Allionia incarnata,Desert Sand Verbena, Abronia villosa var. villosa, and Brittlebush, Encelia farinosa are in bloom. Also unfortunately is  Asian Mustard Brassica tournefortii.

See photos and older reports at  Anza-Borrego Desert Wildflowers Update.