Natural History Wanderings

Desert sunflower and dune primrose are blooming along Henderson Canyon Road, creating one of the best “drive-by” shows in recent years. Good displays of sand verbena can also be found in the fields along DiGiorgio Road.

Annual flowers including purple phacelia and yellow desert dandelion are still blooming at the Visitor Center and in Borrego Palm Canyon, and cacti are starting to show off their colorful blossoms, too! Shrubs such as brittlebush, chuparosa, and sweet-smelling indigo bush are making a beautiful showing as well, especially in western canyons.

Creamy brown-eyed evening primrose and bright yellow desert dandelions can be found alongside many of the roads throughout the Borrego Valley.

Desert lilies are blooming among a variety of annual plants along Henderson Canyon Road.

Caterpillars of the white-lined sphinx moth have devoured most of the blossoms at the north end of DiGiorgio Road. Migrating Swainson’s hawks have finally descended into the valley and are gorging on the little beasts— will they make a dent in the population before the caterpillars start in on the Henderson Canyon Road wildflowers?

Daytime temperatures are warm, but mornings are delightful for hiking, exploring, and wildflower-seeking!

Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association has a new report with photos as well at Anza-Borrego Desert Wildflowers Update.

Borregohiking.com | Facebook. has a serious of wildflower photos about what is happening right now