Natural History Wanderings

DesertUSA has a number of new reports

Monday, I spoke with a ranger at Carrizo Plain. He said the majority of the color is on the south end of Soda Lake Rd. Driving further north toward the visitors’ center, you can see a large purple display from the overlook hill. (The flowers were far away). He said starting in 3 days, they will have a wildflower hotline updated on Thursdays and Sundays. 805-475-2035. He anticipates the peak bloom will be early and mid-April. He said some of the roads off of Soda Lake Rd currently are closed (even 4WD) due to mud. They have had to dig some vehicles out. I didn’t see any poppies, but lots of yellow, some purple, orange and white. Driving 10 miles up the hwy from Maricopa to Soda Lake Rd, the many of the hills had yellow flowers — a beautiful sight.
see photos at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca.html#ixzz4c1hRex7W

The hills just north of Gorman are ablaze with poppies. Despite that it was very hazy when I was there today, I could still enjoy them. To take photos, get off at the Fort Tejon exit and go left. After you cross the freeway, make an immediate right on the first road. This road will take you through some trees and then to the top of a hill overlooking the freeway and the many surrounding hills with poppies.
see photos at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca.html#ixzz4c1hiEV6R

There are also photos of Antelope Valley, Shell Creek, Diamond Valley Lake, Red Rock Canyon, Walker Canyon in the Lake Elsinore area, Mojave in areas northeast of Victorville and Anza-Borrego See photos at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo

Photos and reports for Arizona at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/az.html