Natural History Wanderings

Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association reports

Extremely heavy traffic coming into Borrego Springs today.  Traffic jams are largely nonexistent in Borrego Springs but today was an exception to that, as people flooded into town to see wildflowers.  If you are headed into town and want to see flowers from your car, with a little bit of walking, Henderson Canyon Road, in the vicinity of Pegleg, (junction of Henderson County Road and S22) is a good spot right now.  This will be a “rolling bloom”; different areas, different species, different elevations, as things come into bloom.  It’s important to know that the best flower viewing is in the morning.  Many flowers close up during the heat of the day.  Free flower maps are available in ABDNHA’s Nature Center, 652 Palm Canyon Drive.  We update the maps daily as reports come in.

See photos and older reports at Anza-Borrego Desert Wildflowers Update

Anza-Borrego Desert Wildflowers reports 

3/9 It’s warm, so time to seek out a higher elevation hike.
This is always a nice bush walk along the many springs. Springs always equals a higher bloom count than you would otherwise have on the same elevation.
Maybe a bit early to draw conclusions, but most of the many Malacothamnus San Diego undefined seem to have died off.

Species in bloom above 3000 feet: 50

Pictures: The springs in Culp Valley

3/9 After the fire, this area was one of the best wildflower spots. Now Red stem filaree, Erodium cicutarium has taking over and is by far the most dominant wildflower.
There are still a few places left where native wildflowers can grow.
Probably time to find another favorite place.
Lotebush, Ziziphus parryi parryi is by far the strongest smelling scrub.
We where surprised to find a lonely Brown eyed primrose, Chylismia claviformis peirsonii, including predator.

Species in bloom below 3000 feet: 47 + 9
Species in bloom above 3000 feet: 27

Pictures: Mile 15 Pacific Crest Loop

3/7 A trip to a tiny dry lake between Collins valley and Box canyon, in our second try to find Lepidium flavum felipense.
It’s very busy with all the tourist driving in Coyote canyon.
Water in second crossing is still rather deep, we noticed the large number of cars parked before second crossing, a lot didn’t want to try the crossing.
Destination Box canyon and than climb up the rocky wall up to the playa.
What we noticed from above the playa was very very green, but not the good kind of green.
No trace of Lepidium flavum felipense and other plants that should grow besides it. That was very strange as on our previous hike we did find Sphaeralcea leaves, but now none to be found.
Down the very steep and rocky drainage and down Lower Willows. The signs of the recent rain are very clear, the gully that is the hiking trail gets deeper and deeper.
WOW what a high bloom count, we are getting closer to peak bloom.

Species in bloom below 3000 feet: 85 + 3 along our way.

Pictures: Collins valley – Box Canyon Dry lake