Natural History Wanderings

Borrego Wildflowers reports

When will the low desert bloom peak? End of March and we are now past peak bloom.

Easy access flower sites:

WARNING, bloom below 2000 feet is certainly winding down and will not last for weeks.

The Coyote Canyon is now open for 4×4 and most cars can probably get to Desert Garden.
Between the citrus stand and the end of the asphalt: a nice field of Malacothrix glabrata | Desert dandelion.
At the end of the asphalt to the right Geraea canescens | Desert sunflower fields.
Along the dirt road fields of Malacothrix glabrata | Desert dandelion, Lupinus arizonicus | Arizona lupine, Geraea canescens | Desert sunflower and a great variety of other flowers.
Better fields are just beyond first crossing (water).
Close to the creek is disappointing this season, the rain and flash flood removed most of the wildflowers.

Colorful flower fields along the Hellhole Canyon trail, Hellhole Canyon wash and Flatcat canyon.
Hiking Flatcat with it’s rocks and small boulders takes some effort.
Phacelia distans | Common phacelia , Diplacus bigelovii bigelovii | Bigelow’s monkey flower, Phacelia minor | Wild canterbury bells, Nama demissa demissa | Purplemat, Eschscholzia parishii | Parish’s poppy.
Easier is go north from the Visitor Center and hike in the washes.

Stunning flower fields or Diplacus bigelovii bigelovii | Bigelow’s monkey flower, in many canyons north of Glorietta Canyon.
What to find in Glorietta Canyon and canyons to the north: Emmenanthe penduliflora penduliflora | Whispering bells, Phacelia distans | Common phacelia , Diplacus bigelovii bigelovii | Bigelow’s monkey flower, Nama demissa demissa | Purplemat, Eschscholzia parishii | Parish’s poppy, Mentzelia involucrata | Sand blazing star.
Check out Tom Chester bloom report
Additional info:
Anza-Borrego Desert Facebook
Anza-Borrego Desert SP Bloom page
ABDNHA Bloom page

 

Mar/30/2019 The Potrero west loops

Walt Fidler found a couple of must see plants.
Great to see Abutilon palmeri | Indian mallow for the first time and in such good bloom.
The whole area is as good as it gets, with an even higher bloom count than the 2017 season.
Species in bloom below 3000 feet: 114.
Hike details, click on the photo’s above
All our plants from this date on iNaturalist
iNat observations may be posted later-on, as our time is limited.

 

Mar/29/2019 Salvador Canyon Palms

Time to check out Salvador Canyon off Collins Valley.
In Collins valley the bloom came later and most of the flowers look that much fresher.
Finally Delphinium parishii subglobosum | Intermediate larkspur are starting to bloom, NO I see a caterpillar eating it in one of the photos.
Wow the canyon walls are yellow mostly by blooming Encelia farinosa farinosa | Brittlebush.
It’s now time for the Salvia to start blooming, like Salvia eremostachya | Desert sage.
Species in bloom below 3000 feet: 80.
Hike details, click on the photo’s above
All our plants from this date on iNaturalist
iNat observations may be posted later-on, as our time is limited.