See the finalist for the World Wildlife Day photography competition finalists
Ten finalists capture the theme of ‘through young eyes’ in this young photographers’ competition that aims to engage youth around the world in wildlife conservation
See photos at: World Wildlife Day photography competition finalists | Environment | The Guardian
Posted in Photography | Tags: World Wildlife Day Photography Competition Finalists
Phoenix Lake is a part of the Marin Municipal Water District Lands, which encompasses a HUGE amount of acreage.Located just outside the town of Ross. Take Sir Francis Drake Blvd to Lagunitas Road (across from the Marin Art and Gardens Center), Follow to the end. Signs posted state Natalie Green Coffin Park, Phoenix Lake is connected to this park. NOTE – Parking is VERY limited, Parking Enforcement is enforced.The Park abounds with a great variety of native plants. Trees include Redwood, Big Leaf Maple, Pacific Madrone, California Buckeye (leaf buds are coming out now) etc. In bloom now – Indian Warrior, Spanish lotus, Miner’s lettuce, Willow herb, Field madder, Chickweed, Smooth vetch, Smaller common vetch,Bitter cress AKA Milk Maids, Houndstongue, Checker lily, Redwood pea,Hillside pea, Woodland star, Pacific sanicle, Trillium, Fremont’s star lily, blue dicks, the Manzanitas and Madrones are in bud and bloom as well
The Hite Cove trail bloom is starting; some of everything you would expect to see in early to mid spring is in place, even though the Merced River canyon shows almost no flowers yet.
DesertUSA reports
a lot of Ghost Flowers on the Parker strip, North of Parker, on March 8th, 2017
March 9, 2017 Paul reports: Spur Cross (Maricopa Trail), Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, Cave Creek, AZ, March 7, 2017.
March 8, 2017 Sean reports:the Superstition Mountains just East of PHX. I’m no flower expert but I’ve seen all sorts of colored flowers out there. I think bloom peak will be in the next 5-10 days.See photos at
Photos for above posts at Desert Wildflower reports for Phoenix and Northern Arizona Area – DesertUSA
Tucson Mountains 3/7/17 I was walking the Passey Loop in Marana and saw some pink globemallow, chicory, bladderpod and lots of brittlebush.
See photos at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/tucson.html#ixzz4atBAu6cX
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument March 3-4. We never saw so much green desert. Millions of buds on Brittlebush nearing bloom. Millions of poppies growing. However, not much blooming on these visited dates. There were a few fields of poppies several hundred feet off the Ajo Mt. Loop and the North Puerto Blanco Drive. Also a very few orange mallow and other flowers. Our prediction is that there will be massive blooms in about 10 days.
See photos at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/tucson.html#ixzz4atBF2UyJ
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Arizona Wildflowers
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SNR reports
As of March 9th, the first poppies have started to bloom on Antelope Butte Vista Point trail! There are many poppy plants with buds about to open, and they’re even all over the trail. However… it’s a bit of a hike to get to it, and is not recommended for those with walking limitations. An easier spot to access where poppies should be blooming in the next week or so is at the top of Tehachapi Vista Point trail, where there are also a lot of poppy plants growing (not as much as Antelope Butte Vista Point trail, but still a good amount). The grape soda lupine is also starting to bloom up there.
The hills are still mostly green. Other flowers such as wild parsley, grape soda lupine, and slender keel fruit are popping up. Because the rains started late and then came on heavily, it wasn’t the optimal precipitation pattern for poppies so we’re expecting a moderate poppy bloom at best, possibly lasting through mid-April. Note that it can be very windy here in the spring. Check the forecast before visiting and dress accordingly.
Remember that going off of the trails to walk in the poppies could get you a ticket, unless they’re growing on the official trails; it can’t be avoided in some places.
Weekly bloom updates will be posted through Mother’s Day.
The University of California Riverside has an article
California Wildflower-bloom Experts Available for Interviews
Researchers can comment on topics ranging from why the bloom is especially rich this year to how it impacts bee populations
Read article at UCR Today: California Wildflower-bloom Experts Available for Interviews
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants
The Washington Post has an article on the bloom going on in Anza-Borrego right now. It includes many photos. The coverage by national press is going to make the parks even more crowded than usual. Bu suggestion is to get out early in the day and weekends and explore some of the unpublished canyons as well as the famous wildflower hotspots. Read article at This desert in the Southwest is experiencing a wildflower ‘superbloom’ – The Washington Post
Join us for a Spring Plant Walk in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Enjoy and learn about the ingenuity of the Park’s survival experts, our amazing desert plants! Friday, March 10, 2017 – 8:30am
Meet knowledgeable park staff and volunteers for an easy morning stroll in different locations in the Park. Leaders and destinations will vary depending on bloom locations.
Bring: Lots of water, sun protection, a snack, and wear sturdy shoes.
Meet: ABF State Park Store (next to Calico’s)
587 Palm Canyon Drive #110, Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Time: 8:30-11:30 a.m. (return time will depend on travel time to the location)
No pre-registration required. Donations encouraged.
The New York Times reports on near extinction of the Vaquitas Porpoise
No more than 30 vaquitas are left in Mexico’s Gulf of California. Experts propose keeping some in captivity as a last resort.
The size of its population has always been precarious, but now voracious demand in China for a fish that shares the vaquita’s only habitat has pushed the tiny porpoise to the brink of extinction.
No more than 30 vaquitas are left, according to a November estimate based on monitoring of their echolocation clicks. Half of the vaquitas counted a year earlier have disappeared.
Read full story at Before Vaquitas Vanish, a Desperate Bid to Save Them
Posted in Animals | Tags: Vaquitas Porpoise Extinction
(7) Big Bend National Park reports
Blooming now! Mexican navelseed and lyreleaf twistflower were spotted along the saddle trail up to the Mesa de Anguila. Click on the photos for more information about each flower at
#WildflowerWednesday
Updated
Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association has the following Wildflower update today
The flowers are blooming now in Borrego Springs! This will be a “rolling bloom”; different areas will come into bloom at different times. The bloom will likely last for several weeks as different areas come into full bloom. The next couple of weeks should be prime time.
Best recommendation for Drive-By/Easy Access Flowers: Starting at the ABDNHA Borrego Desert Nature Center to pick up a free flower location map, you’ll see our blooming Botanical Garden; then head north on Borrego Springs Road to see the metal statues.
Recommended: Drive DiGiorgio Road to the end of the pavement, park, and get out to see up close Desert Lilies, Spectacle Pod, Sand Verbena, Desert Sunflowers. For those who want to drive the (2WD accessible) dirt road beyond the end of DiGiorgio Road into Coyote Canyon for a couple miles to “Desert Gardens,” you will see even more blooms (Poppies, Desert Dandelions, and just beginning to bloom are the Ocotillo and Beavertail Cactus).
Recommended: Drive north on Borrego Springs Road to the point where it turns sharply to the right and heads east. Pull onto the dirt road on the left side of the road right at the turn. Park and walk around to see blooms and scultures.
Arroyo Salado Campground: East on S22 to the Borrego Badlands and Arroyo Salado Campground to see lots of Desert Lilies beyond the last campsite.
Easy Hiking: Henderson Canyon at the west end of Henderson Canyon Road (See Desert Lilies, Chicory, Phacelia, a variety of cactus, metal statues, and mountain views).
Easy Hiking: Little Surprise Canyon on the west end of S22 about one-third mile south of Palm Canyon Drive (Ghost Flowers, Barrel Cactus, Desert Lavender, beautiful rocks and views on the return walk).
If Mother Nature cooperates, we expect blooms for weeks ahead; we will keep you updated. It’s important to know that the best flower viewing is in the morning. Many flowers close up during the heat of the day.
March 7, 2017 Collins Valley – Box Canyon – Hiking Details
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.
See photos at Anza-Borrego Desert Wildflowers Update
DesertUSA has the following new reports
See photos for Northern Arizona at: http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/az.html#ixzz4amE8eH4k
See photos for Southern Arizona at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/tucson.html
Nature, the international weekly journal of science reports on
How the fallout from Trump’s travel ban is reshaping science
Researchers are cutting short travel, ending collaborations and rethinking their US ties.
Many foreign-born scientists say they are reconsidering plans to work or study in the United States,
Read story at How the fallout from Trump’s travel ban is reshaping science : Nature News & Comment
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Travel Ban Negatively Impacts Science
The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park had this wildflower report today.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Wildflower Update March 7, 2017
If at all possible, try to plan your visit for a weekday morning, as parking areas on Saturdays and Sundays fill by mid-morning!
As expected, plentiful rains in December, January AND February have encouraged the development of a spectacular showing of annual plants in the flower fields north of town, along trails in western canyons, and even in the badlands.
Desert lily plants are continuing to bloom in many locations, including the badlands. The dirt road to Arroyo Salado Primitive Camp is a good place to look for lilies (beyond the camp area, 4WD is recommended). Notch-leaved phacelia is another treasure to be found in the badlands this year, but only if you are driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Every day, we are seeing more and more Desert Sunflowers start blooming in the “Flower Fields” along Henderson Canyon Road. Increasing temperatures in the coming week will mean the peak is most likely just around the corner.
Spectacle-pod has been blooming in fragrant profusion at the north end of Di Giorgio Road, and is being joined by masses of pink sand verbena and exceptional specimens of dune evening primrose and desert lily. The Coyote Canyon Road has been graded again, making it passable to two-wheel-drive vehicles as far as Desert Gardens (caution: shoulders are sandy, leaving just a few areas safe for passing and turning around). Bright yellow Parish’s poppies covering the hillsides are delightful! Drivers who don’t want to drive the dirt road should park at the end of the pavement and venture out onto the flats, for desert lilies in bloom, dune evening primrose, lupine, desert chicory, and patches of sand verbena, as well as an increasing number of desert sunflowers.
Poppies, phacelia, cryptantha, chuparosa and brittlebush have been blooming at the Visitor Center, where desert dandelions and other annuals are starting to make an impressive showing.
Borrego Palm Canyon is beautiful right now, with Canterbury Bells, Poppies, Monkeyflower, and Phacelia blooming against lots of bright green foliage! Brittlebushes are loaded with buds, and should be bursting with bright yellow flowers any day. Look closely for delicate Whispering Bells and diminutive Little Gold Poppy. Hellhole Canyon should have similar flowers, and while it is a longer hike, could be an option when the parking lot for Borrego Palm Canyon is full.
Visitors to the southern end of the park would do well to spend some time at the Carrizo Badlands Overlook, where lupine, spectacle-pod, and brown-eyed evening primrose can be found near the parking area, and desert lilies on the hillside should be blooming by now. Residents of the Canebrake area report that roadsides in the south should becoming into bloom soon.
It’s hard to predict a peak, but rapid development of blooms points to the middle of the month as an excellent time to visit. If temperatures continue to be mild, flowers should persist into the latter half of March, at least, and perhaps later as well.
For updates, join Anza-Borrego Foundation’s email list at http://www.theabf.org or call the State Park Wildflower Hotline, 760-767-4684.
Also checkout the park’s home page for wildflower locations and information
DesertUSA has a number of new reports
Walker Canyon Temescal Mountains, in Riverside County, California on 3/4 showed lots of poppies
Oak Canyon Trail in Mission Trails Regional Park (San Diego) has amazing hillsides full of California Poppies and ceanothus. Between the two waterfalls is where the majority of blooms can be found.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve (between La Jolla and Del Mar/north of San Diego) Date: Monday, March 6, 2017 About a dozen varieties of wildflowers are in bloom along the Guy Fleming Trail in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. While hiking the easy 2/3 mile loop trail above the Pacific coastline yesterday, I saw purple phacelia and sand verbena; yellow California bush sunflower and sea dahlia; and orange Indian paintbrush and poppies (our state flower). The wildflower bloom is predicted to last there until the end of March.
Many of the trails are closed for a couple more weeks while FEMA funds are being used to repair erosion from recent heavy rains. Guy Fleming, Parry Grove, and the south fork of the Broken Hill Trail remain open.Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve Reports: Things are starting to look up! We’re likely not going to see a single carpet of poppies, but there are a couple big areas with lots of plants that are about to start blooming in the next week or so!
Lower Antelope Butte Vista Point trail has so many poppy plants, they’re even all over the trail. However… it’s a bit of a hike to get to it and is not recommended for those with walking limitations.
An easier spot to access is at the top of Tehachapi Vista Point trail, where there are also a lot of poppy plants growing (not as much as Antelope Butte Vista Point trail, but still a good amount). The grape soda lupine is also starting to bloom up there.Don’t worry about stepping on poppies if they’re growing on the official trails; it can’t be avoided in some places. However, remember that going off of the trails to walk in the poppies could get you a ticket!
Rain is forecast for tomorrow, and it can be very windy here in the spring. Check the forecast before visiting and dress accordingly.
See photos for above reports at Desert Wildflower Reports for Southern California by DesertUSA
Comments Off on Southern California Wildflower Updates 3/7/17
Posted in Wildflower Bloom Reports, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Antelope Valley Wildflowers, California Wildflowers, Desert Wildflowers, Mission Trails Regional Park Wildflowers, Torrey Pines Wildflowers, Walker Canyon Temescal Mountains Wildflowers, Wildflower Bloom Reports
Photos from the Regional Park Botanic Garden. It is still early days at the Botanic Garden but there are some nice flowers to photograph.
The San Francisco Chronicle has an article by their outdoor writer Tom Stienstra about this year’s wildflower season with predictions and suggestions on places to go at Bay Area’s wildflower bloom ready to start with a kaboom – San Francisco Chronicle
Anza-Borrego Desert Wildflowers: Species in bloom reports
3/6 A hike postponed so many times because it was to dry, now is the time to check out what grows in the “crater”.
Right out of the car we found blooming plants left and right, wow.
A nice hike up to a small outcrop on Coyote mountain, by no means the actual peak.
Good flowering along the way, at the peak, down to what looks like a crater.
300 feet from the “crater” floor the smell was strong and on the floor overwhelming at times, like a perfume-shop, but less artificial.
Brown eyed primrose, Chylismia claviformis peirsonii and Desert lily, Hesperocallis undulata where causing the strong smell, that couldn’t exit the enclosed “crater”.
Down some boulders and back along the hill side. Than yes threadplants, Nemacladus in good number and while we where down on the ground more and more interesting stuff.
All in all a 3 hour hike turned 5 hours+ .
Species in bloom below 3000 feet: 74 + 3 along our way.
Pictures: Coyote Mountain Loop
3/5 A hike to one of our favorite spots.
Starting on the “Yaqui Meadows Loop” and as the drainage narrows skipping over to the “Yaqui Meadows – Glorietta Wash” and finally completing the “Yaqui Meadows Loop”. Trying to get the best of both hikes.
Staggering fields of Bigelow’s monkey flower, Mimulus bigelovii bigelovii (10000+), Ghost flower, Mohavea confertiflora (500+) and Parish’s poppy, Eschscholzia parishii (1000+).
Never seen such large fields of monkey flower and Ghost flower before.
Most flower fields on the sun facing slopes and some on the flat rocky area’s.
Species in bloom below 3000 feet: 53.
Pictures: Yaqui Meadows Loop
Pictures: Yaqui Meadows – Glorietta Wash
3/4 Time to find the special flowers in the direction of Little Clark dry lake, like Desert lupine, Lupinus shockleyi and Ives phacelia, Phacelia ivesiana.
Plenty of Desert lily, Hesperocallis undulata, Desert chicory, Rafinesquia neomexicana, Yellow comet, Mentzelia affinis along our route.
We where glad to find Cleveland’s tobacco, Nicotiana clevelandii in very high numbers (1000+).
On our way back probably the best find, a Lupinus shockleyi in bloom.
All in all an impressive bloom number for this area.
Not a flower but it was great to see a Flat-tail Horned Lizard – Phrynosoma mcallii.
Species in bloom below 3000 feet: 54.
Pictures: Little Clark dry lake
DesertUSA reports
South Borrego around Mt Palm Springs / Bow Willow (1200 ft). The show is just starting, barrel and pincushion cactus in bloom. A large variety of flowers just starting. Brittlebush and beavertails are loaded with buds, both look like another week to open. Ocotillos may have bloomed earlier in the season, they are producing a new round of buds but will open much later.
See photos at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca_abdsp.html#ixzz4afFR3bl4
Joshua Tree National Park just posted its first wildflower report of the year today. It is dated 3/3/17
Currently, the most spectacular bloom in the park can be seen at the Cottonwood Canyon Bajada Trail. Among the showiest species currently in bloom are Arizona lupine (Lupinus arizonicus) with their tall purple spikes, browneyes (Chylismia claviformis) are the white blooms you see above. Multiple species with yellow flowers are also up and include two poppy species (Eschscholzia parishii and E. minutiflora). Ocotillos (Fouquuieria splendens) and chuparosa (Justicia californica) provide hummingbird attracting red blooms. Many other species are in bloom as well and can be seen with a discerning eye.
Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia), Mojave Yucca (Yucca schidigera) and Teddy bear cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii) are some of the Joshua Tree National Park’s most charismatic plant species, and are all beginning to go into bloom. Both Joshua trees and Mojave Yucca can be seen in bloom, with a little luck, and are scattered throughout the northern portions of the park, including near the west entrance, Barker Dam, and near the intersection of Park Blvd and Pinto Basin Rd. Despite all of the rain we have had this year, we do not expect there to be a large Joshua Tree bloom unlike last year. Teddy bear cholla are also beginning to bloom along the Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail.
See photos at March 3, 2017 – Joshua Tree National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Even the the New York Times is covering the Wildflower Bloom this year. They have an article mentioning Anza-Borrego, Death Valley, Antelope Valley and North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve. See the article at North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve.
It’s nice that they are acknowledging us but the downside is it means places will be more crowded than ever.
The Botany Photo of the Day sponsored by the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden and published by Daniel Mosquin is now regularly posting a daily photo. It is an opportunity to see good flower photography. Each post includes detailed information of the plant photographed. It includes plants from all over the world. Check it out at Botany Photo Of The Day.
Posted in Photography, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Plant Photography
Wildlife Services reports
I was at North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve Saturday March 4th. There are some flowers but from a distance it looks mostly green. I’m guessing peak will be closer to April. When it warms up the flowers get going. If the rain continues then even better conditions for flowers.
A number of updates came in today from weekend wildflower hunting. Anza-Borrego seems to be the current California hotspot. Below are new Anza-Borrego reports from the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association and DesertUSA. They are followed by additional reports from DesertUSA for Joshua Tree, Santa Monica Mts., Chino Hills, Point Mugu State Park, Arvin and Walker Canyon near Lake Elsinore.
Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association reports
Coyote Canyon is getting great reports right now, from the end of DiGeorgio Road. Borrego Palm Canyon as well. The polular viewing areas along Henderson Canyon Road are not quite there yet. For the full bloom in the Borrego Valley, we are still looking at mid-March, but that’s only a week or two away. We will be watching each week. Flower location maps are now available at our ABDNHA Borrego Desert Nature Center at 652 Palm Canyon
March 5, 2017 Yaqui Meadow Loop – Hiking Details
A hike to one of our favorite spots. Starting on the “Yaqui Meadows Loop” and as the drainage narrows skipping over to the “Yaqui Meadows – Glorietta Wash” and finally completing the “Yaqui Meadows Loop”. Trying to get the best of both hikes. Staggering fields of Bigelow’s monkey flower, Mimulus bigelovii bigelovii (10000+), Ghost flower, Mohavea confertiflora (500+) and Parish’s poppy, Eschscholzia parishii (1000+). Never seen such large fields of monkey flower and Ghost flower before. Most flower fields on the sun facing slopes and some on the flat rocky area’s.
Posted in Wildflower Bloom Reports, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Anza-Borrego Wildflowers, Arvin Wildflowers, California Fall Color, Chino Hills State Park Wildflowers, Desert Wildflowers, Joshua Tree Wildflowers, Lake Elsinore Poppies, Point Mugu State Park Wildflowers, Santa Monica Mountains Wildflowers, Wildflower Bloom Reports
DesertUSA has many updates for Arizona.
See photos at Desert Wildflower reports for Phoenix and Northern Arizona Area – DesertUSA
See photos at : http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/tucson.html#ixzz4aaGYs1lt
Posted in Walks & Hikes, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: East Bay Regional Parks, Wildflower Hikes
Wildflower Hikes and More has a description of a Mt. Burdell wildflower hike from last week with details about Mt. Burdell trails and wildflower photos at Mount Burdell Wildflower Hike – Wildflower Hikes and More. Mt. Burdell is one of the better locations to see early season wildflowers in Marin County.
From the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park website for early March
The Huffington Post reports
Southern Californians are in for a display of dazzling beauty, with an expected “super bloom” of wildflowers in the Anza-Borrego Desert within the next couple of weeks.
Wildflowers in the desert, about two hours east of San Diego, typically bloom annually. But this year’s bloom is expected to be grander than most because the desert has gotten more rain than usual since December, according to KPBS.
“prime” annual bloom is about a week or two away.
Read full article at Spectacular ‘Super Bloom’ Is Just Days Away In This California Desert | The Huffington Post
Gary Regner Photography reports
So far March has brought more seasonable temperatures and some nice soaking rain. Next week is forecast to be above normal again, anywhere from 5-10 degrees, but some rain as well. Wildflowers are still blooming along roadways, including bluebonnets, greenthread and firewheels. Nothing yet in fields/pastures. Mountain laurels are on the decline, but redbuds continue to bloom. A scouting trip this weekend was a bust due to persistent rain.Peak season still looks early this year, 1-2 weeks earlier than average. Weather will play a role, we need seasonable temperatures and rain, if it gets hot and dry, all bets are off. To get an idea of what blooms when, check out my galleries. Each image is dated. This year to me is most similar to 2012.
Registration is now open to the public for the Pt. Reyes Birding and Nature Festival. Choose from over 60 field events led by top Bay Area birders and naturalists, and evening programs with keynote speakers Julie Zickefoose and Paul Bannick. Events fill so register early.
For more information about the birding festival and to register go to: Happy Birding: Point Reyes Birding & Nature Tickets On Sale Now!
Posted in Bird Festivals, Birds | Tags: Birding Festivals, Pt. Reyes Birding Festival
Natural History Wanderings 