Natural History Wanderings

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park posted a new wildflower update for March 15, 2015

Unseasonably warm temperatures earlier in the month brought annual wildflowers into bloom fairly quickly.

Desert sunflower and dune primrose are still blooming along Henderson Canyon Road, creating one of the best “drive-by” shows in recent years. Good displays of dune primrose can also be found along Highway S-22 south of the “Pegleg” monument area.

A few desert lilies have been spotted near the “Father Font” statue near the intersection of Borrego Springs Road and Henderson Canyon 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.

Ocotillo are starting to bloom, with flaming red blossoms at their tips. Good places to look for them are in Ocotillo Flats along the Coyote Canyon road, and along Borrego Springs Road south of Christmas Circle.

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

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