Natural History Wanderings

Some washes are now seeing the beginnings of a widespread bloom but in the general Borrego Valley the peak bloom is still a couple of weeks out.  In the north end of the valley there is enough germination that the valley floor is covered with a thin carpet of green.  There is enough moisture in the ground to sustain these plants but the extent of the bloom is still very much weather-dependent.  Temperatures continue to be in the 80’s.  Cooler temps and some additional rain would really give a boost to the bloom.  Some very good news is that although there are Sahara Mustard plants visible, they are mostly scattered, and the majority of plants emerging are native annuals.  The best flowers at this point seem to be in Henderson Canyon and in Coyote Canyon, both areas that are beyond the edge of the asphalt but passable with 2WD if you have experience on sandy roads.