Natural History Wanderings

Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association posted a Wildflower Update for 2/21/15:

 A mix of unseasonably warm temperatures over the past couple of weeks and ground moisture from light winter rains have created a real spurt in plant growth and flowers are now blooming in many locations.  There is a nice bloom at the north end of DiGiorgio Road in the Borrego Valley within easy walking distance from the end of the paved road.  This location is the best place right now to see widespread flowers in the Borrego Valley; photos of this area can be seen below.  Those with 4WD can expect to see more flowers along the jeep road going into Coyote Canyon.  A good bloom is also reported just off of the Visitor Center – Campground Trail, an easy walk on a paved trail that can be started either from the Palm Canyon Campground or State Park Visitor Center.  Henderson Canyon is another place with flowers in bloom, many species and scattered individual plants.  This also appears to be a good year for desert lilies.  See photos below.  These intricate and beautiful plants are can be found in the DiGiorgio area as well as to the east, along Henderson Canyon Road.  They can be hard to spot but once you have found your first one you will be successful in finding more.  They are mixed it with other plants and flowers.   There is a nice bloom of Sand Verbena getting started and steadily spreading off to the sides of Henderson Canyon Road as well, in the same areas as the lilies, between Pegleg on the east and the intersection with DiGiorgio road.  Localized areas along the roadsides in Borrego Springs are also beginning to display flowers.