Natural History Wanderings

 Hungry Valley reports

The hills are turning brown and many of the annuals have faded away, though there is a nice display of California primrose at the Quail Canyon Track parking area and along the sides of the road coming in to the park from the south entrance. As you head into the park, look for the bright pink beavertail cactus flowers on the hillsides.

The yerba santa is starting to blossom; look for the pale purple flowers on the large shrubs lining the road on the way toward Lane Ranch campground.

The yucca stalks are in bloom in the yucca flats area near Aliklik campground. If you take a stroll, there is still a nice variety of wildflowers among the yucca.

Drive up Powerline Road toward Badger to see a large patch of blue dicks near the road and several patches of poppies on the hillsides. Watch closely on Badger Trail to see the road-cut where the chia are blooming on the sharp curve. There is a pullout on the apex of the curve if you want to park and take pictures. As you are driving through the grasslands looking at flowers, look up, too. Two California condors were seen today soaring over the grasslands!

The goldenbush are showing off their color in the park and the lupine are still blooming along Spaghetti Pass near the north entrance station; there is still a lot of color in the park.

Mother Nature is confusing the flowers though; snow last Monday, cold mist this morning but warm enough for a gopher snake by afternoon, and wind… lots of wind! Come out and see the flowers soon before they are gone; what a great way to spend Mother’s Day! Plan your visit now!