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June 21, 2015
Marcy Yates passes on a tip she received from Bill Sullivan that
elephant trees were blooming near the Elephant Tree Trail in the
south part of the park. Marcy then checked the two trees at the park
visitor center In Borrego Springs and found fruit on one (or so she
thought). Her photo was forwarded to Bill; he enlarged it and sent
it back because there were actually some fading flowers near the
fruits. Such tiny flowers! There is also a small elephant
tree in the ABDNHA botanical garden, but no flowers there this year.
Interesting facts: The elephant tree has very fragrant leaves
and comes from a large family which includes such plants as
frankincense and myrrh. This tree was and is important for a variety
of practical and ceremonial uses of native people within its range.
The Elephant Trees in Anza-Borrego are at the northernmost part of
their range. The tree does not tolorate freezing temperatures.
Elephant Tree Bursera microphylla Marcy Yates
May 4, 2015
Marcy Yates reports lots of ironwood trees in Pinyon Wash that are
in various stages of blooming.
Ironwood Olneya tesota Marcy Yates
April 5, 2015
This report from Combs peak by Fred and Carla
See hiking details.
Woolly Bluecurls, Trichostema lanatum Fred Melgert
Chaparral whitethorn, Ceanothus leucodermis Fred Melgert
Mountain Phlox, Phlox austromontana Fred Melgert
California poppy, Eschscholzia californica Fred Melgert
April 12, 2015
Grapevine loop by Fred and Carla:
See hiking info.
Everything is weeks ahead of schedule and even dryer than last
season if that's even possible. This is fine as the Chamise,
Adenostoma fasciculatum is starting to bloom and will become more of
an obstacle as it already is, but no thorns. The Wide-throated
yellow monkeyflower, Mimulus brevipes seems to have spread to every
single wash along both sides of the Pacific Crest trail. The prickly
poppy, Argemone munita where everywhere last season, now not trace
of them this year.
Golden yarrow, Eriophyllum confertiflorum var. confertiflorum
Fred Melgert
Chamise, Adenostoma fasciculatum Fred Melgert
April 10, 2015
Carrizo Canyon east fork palms by Fred and Carla.
Hiking information here
We've been to the sweeney pass a week before, so we expected
something alive over here.
Coyote melon, Cucurbita palmata 99+ nicely in bloom in the Carrizo
Creek as we where early. The smoketree look green, that's always a
good sign. But these canyons are special as they have good ground
water. The canyon we hiked in looked as it had a good bloom, a lot
of the plants where of course out of bloom, but far from all.
Scarlet spiderling, Boerhavia coccinea by the hundreds. Hairy
Blazingstar, Mentzelia hirsutissima in the hundreds, some still in
bloom. Catclaw, Senegalia greggii starting to bloom. This is the
year we find Broom Twinberry, Menodora scabra var. glabrescens, two
more in bloom. What I noticed are many small California fan palm,
Washingtonia filifera so that's a good sign. This time we didn't
hike the loop but went to explore the other Palm clusters.
Coyote melon, Cucurbita palmata Fred Melgert
California fan palm, Washingtonia filifera Fred Melgert
Hairy Blazingstar, Mentzelia hirsutissima Fred Melgert
April 5, 2015
A shot taken earlier today of a queen butterfly caterpillar on
milkweed.
Rush Milkweed Asclepias sublata apocynaceae and queen caterpillar
Mike McElhatton
March 31, 2015
From Fred and Carla,
a loop from mile 14.3 on the Pacific Crest Trail
Strange enough this is the only place we found Thistle sage, Salvia
carduacea in the Park. A nice bunch of 20 or so plants on one spot,
very close to the start of the hike. We where almost too late, some
of them where already out of bloom. Wide-throated yellow
monkeyflower, Mimulus brevipes and a lot more than last year. We
where looking for Splendid mariposa lily, Calochortus splendens for
years now and finally found them. The same goes for Fringed onion,
Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum.
Wide-throated yellow monkeyflower, Mimulus brevipes Fred
Melgert
Splendid mariposa lily, Calochortus splendens Fred Melgert
March 27, 2015
From Fred and Carla:Hawi
Vallecito to Lower Storm Canyon
The hike starts at the parking of
Hawi Vallecito but is otherwise completely out of the park.
The intention was to hike up Storm
Canyon, to check out all the green stuff you can see from the road.
But we never came that far, one of the reasons, we encountered so
many plants we hardly, if ever, encounter..
The terrain is grassy, with Big
galleta, Hilaria rigida. The upper part of the valley is covered
with one of the biggest fields of Brittlebush, Encelia farinosa
we've ever seen. We basically went for the lower part of the Storm
Canyon wash. The wash is partially sand with patches of rock, the
wash is obvious wetter than most. White rhatany, Krameria
bicolor is blooming we found several plans in partial bloom.
San Felipe dogweed, Adenophyllum porophylloides in full bloom.
We saw our first Short-lobed phacelia, Phacelia brachyloba.
Some Brittlebush, Encelia farinosa
are still blooming. It's time for Desert woolly-star, Eriastrum
eremicum ssp. eremicum, you find them in town roadside.
Our third find of Lemmon's Linanthus, Leptosiphon lemmonii in two
locations of 99+ They seem to stay in one place and don't spread out
much.A surprise was the second Coulter's snapdragon, Antirrhinum
coulterianum we have seen in bloom this month (1 plant).
Finally another Gillia Caraway-leaved Gilia, Saltugilia caruifolia
And we where missing the Prickly poppy, Argemone munita as they
where everywhere last year. So 3 plants was a good find. Showy
Penstemon, Penstemon spectabilis var. spectabilis in my favorite for
today, our first one this season.
And lots lots more. All in all
a great wash.
Showy Penstemon, Penstemon spectabilis var. spectabilis
Fred Melgert
Prickly poppy, Argemone munita Fred Melgert
Desert globemallow, Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rugosa Fred
Melgert
Slender wreathplant, Stephanomeria exigua ssp. exigua Fred
Melgert
Honey mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana Fred
Melgert
March 26, 2015
Joy Ziemnick says there is a lot of color at Culp Valley Campground
area and along the California Riding Hiking Trail west from parking.
area. Goldfields, Nolina, Wooly daisies, Whispering bells, Veatch's
blazing star, Hairy? lotus, Apricot Mallow, lots of Chia further up,
Wishbone...and more species as well.
Parry's Bear-Grass, Nolina parryi Nolinaceae Joy Ziemnick
March 25, 2015
Fred and Carla from the Grapevine area:
Hiking
details
This is our known area for flower
fields and they didn't disappoint us. The only bad thing happening
is that the mesquite and catclaw are growing back from the 2012
fire. And you are guaranteed to return somewhat black as there is
plenty of black stuff out there.
A couple of fields of Fremont's monkeyflower, Mimulus fremontii Our
favorite one Wide-throated yellow monkeyflower, Mimulus brevipes.
Fields of Fremont pincushion, Chaenactis fremontii And best of all
the only field we found anywhere in the park: White Tidy-tips, Layia
glandulosa and Scalebud, Anisocoma acaulis.
We where a bit concerned as we didn't see any flowers as we came
down the PCT, we where after all still early. But they where just in
hiding and as we came closer, there they where!
Fremont's monkeyflower,
Mimulus fremontii Fred Melgert
White Tidy-tips, Layia glandulosa Fred
Melgert
Little-leaved chaparral beardtongue, Keckiella antirrhinoides
var. microphylla Fred Melgert
March 22, 2015
Joy Ziemnick sends this shot of a brilliant indigo bush on the north
side of Highway 78, about a mile west of Texas Dip Junction.
She says she has never smelled or seen such a full and fragrant
Indigo Bush. The color is very intense too.
Indigo Bush, Psorothamnus schottii by Joy Ziemnick
March 22, 2015
Culp Valley - Wilson Mountain Loop by Fred and Carla
This time we explored a part of Culp Valley we haven't been before
and we ended up far to the east in washes that eventually end up in
the Glorietta Canyon.
A nice supprise to still find
Goldfields, Lasthenia gracilis everywhere, mixed with Narrowleaf
goldenbush, Ericameria linearifolia they make it very yellow.
Cleveland's beardtongue, Penstemon clevelandii var. clevelandii and
Parish's purple nightshade, Solanum parishii along boulders. Desert
globemallow, Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rugosa are in the thousands,
out there, some are already blooming.
We found our first
ever Chinese Houses, Collinsia concolor, should be more out there.
Veatch's blazing star, Mentzelia veatchiana are hard to miss, they
are everywhere It would be a bad hike if we wouldn't find Hairy bush
monkeyflower, Mimulus aurantiacus var. pubescens and we found 8+ and
they always grow in the most impossible places. This is Carla's
favorite. We where looking for Lemmon's linanthus, Leptosiphon
lemmonii before and found only a few now we found 100+ but only at
one particular spot.
Lemmon's linanthus, Leptosiphon lemmonii Fred Melgert
Virgin's bower, Clematis ligusticifolia Fred Melgert
Woolly Indian paintbrush, Castilleja foliolosa Fred Melgert
March 18, 2015
Sandra Lee Childs send these interesting photos of Wild Cucumber
mara macrocarpus var taken near Stewart Spring. She
reports the largest one was five inches long.
March 18, 2015
From Cool Canyon, by Joy Ziemnick. She reports Chia, Tobacco
plant, Checker Fiddleneck, Wishbone, Whispering Bells, lots of
Canterbury bluebells, lots of Vetch's blazing star, lots of Palmer's
Milkvetch, ground cherry, desert rock pea, Ephedra/desert tea, and
at least 1 larger display of wooly indian paintbrush.
Palmers Milkvetch Joy Ziemnick
Wooly Indian Paintbrush Castilleja foliolosa Joy Ziemnick
March 18, 2015
Fred and Carla send this report: Butler Canyon Hidden Spring
Rockhouse Canyon
Hiking Details
We went up Rockhouse Cayon first and then back into Butler Canyon.
That is indeed a recommended loop for those without a GPS. And with
the flowers right now it was a real treat, a repeat from most
places: we have never seen so many flowers on this hike.
Desert lily, Hesperocallis undulata were here, as you can see the
seed pods right now. White-lined Sphinx Moth Catepillar have
arrived, but Brown-eyed primrose, Camissonia claviformis ssp.
peirsonii are still plentiful. Desert chicory, Rafinesquia
neomexicana , very common right now. Desert dandelion, Malacothrix
glabrata are in huge fields especially on the mesa at the end of
Butler canyon.
On our way from the Mesa into Butler canyon
we started counting and checking Threadplants, we found two kinds in
abundance. Tiny but once you know what to look for rather easy to
spot. Purple mat, Nama demissa var. demissa are doing great in
Butler canyon, a lot of larger plants. My favorite Desert Bluebells,
Phacelia campanularia var. campanularia, we found only one.
It took us 50 minutes more than usual taking pictures, so it turned
out another long 5 hour hike. The road up to the trailhead is rocky
with deep soft sand, a high clearance 4x4 is essential. And so many
I didn't mention
Indigo bush, Psorothamnus schottii Fred Melgert
Desert chicory, Rafinesquia neomexicana Fred Melgert
Desert Bluebells, Phacelia campanularia var. campanularia
Fred Melgert
March 17, 2015
We have several reports that the Ocotillos in Coyote Canyon are just
spectacular right now. It's a sea of bright red flowers.
Just south of town, and on the west side of Borrego Springs Road,
the "ocotillo forest" is getting ready to pop.
Ocotillo. Coyote Canyon by Joy Ziemnick
March 17, 2015
Report from
Little Blair Valley loop by Fred & Carla:
We went up where I found a small dry lake on the satellite pictures.
And we found Narrow-leaved Globemallow, Sphaeralcea angustifolia
right in the middle of that dry pond, hundreds of them, still rather
small for now. Another plant that Carla had been trying to find and
now we know why we didn't find them. The seem to like more alkaline
soil as we found lots more in Little Blair Valley Dry lake.
Not so long ago I thought Goldfields, Lasthenia gracilis where
rather rare in the park. We found them all over the place including
the Pictogram trail up to the Smugglers drop. Along the boulders we
found one of the biggest California fish-hook cactus, Mammillaria
dioica we've ever seen, huge but in a hard spot to get my camera in.
Pringle's Woollysunflower, Eriophyllum pringlei we where missing in
our photo collection.
And Carla was probably most pleased with a
couple of rather rare Lemmon's Linanthus, Leptosiphon lemmonii, nice
flowers for such a small plant. A honorary plant that is rather
faithfull blooming when we check at the pictograph parking
Cleveland's beardtongue, Penstemon clevelandii var. clevelandii.
I don't think nobody even notices it but it's a rather nice bunch of
them. And so many others that didn't made it on film but are in
Carla's notebook. We will check an area close by in a couple of
weeks. Photos:
Narrow-leaved Globemallow, Sphaeralcea angustifolia
Fred Melgert
Lemmon's Linanthus, Leptosiphon lemmonii Fred Melgert
Goldfields, Lasthenia gracilis Fred Melgert
March 16, 2015
Marcy Yates sends us this nice shot taken in Borrego Springs of a
honey bee on Indigo Bush
March 15, 2015
Fred and Carla from the
Grapevine area:
The area burned down in 2012. What you see right now is that grasses
and the invasive Filaree have taken over the area. But some sandy
washes remain.
The lovely less common Fremont's Monkeyflower, Mimulus fremontii
var. fremontii And the fire follower Wide-throated yellow
monkeyflower, Mimulus brevipes Carla's favorite. White sage, Salvia
apiana are blooming or are starting to bloom all over. Favorite of
the day Cream cups, Platystemon californicus a couple of small
fields of them. And the white variation Wallace's woolly daisy,
Eriophyllum wallacei var. rubellum Often mistaken for Emory's
rockdaisy, Perityle emoryi.
Cream cups, Platystemon californicus Fred Melgert
White sage, Salvia apiana Fred Melgert
March 14, 2015
Fred and Carla send this report from
Pena Springs - Hellhole RIdge:
While driving along the Montazuma grade you notice whole fields of
the invasive Redstem filaree, Erodium cicutarium. Driving up to
the Pena Springs you see nice fields of Goldfields, Lasthenia
gracilis mixed with Narrowleaf goldenbush, Ericameria linearifolia.
Notice the yellow Yellow pincushion, Chaenactis glabriuscula var.
glabriuscula. You will see plenty of Chia, Salvia columbariae. And
Common fiddleneck, Amsinckia intermedia and the similar looking
Bristly fiddleneck, Amsinckia tessellata var. tessellata Carla's
favorite Hairy bush monkeyflower, Mimulus aurantiacus var.
pubescens, look for them around boulders.
And as everything is early so are the Blue dicks, Dichelostemma
capitatum ssp. capitatum Pleased to see yet another poppy, the
prettiest one of them all California poppy, Eschscholzia californica
Whole fields of Narrowleaf goldenbush, Ericameria linearifolia At
the end of the trip my camera turned a shade of yellow from all the
flowers.
Redstem filaree, Erodium cicutarium Fred Melgert
 Narrowleaf
goldenbush, Ericameria linearifolia Fred Melgert
California poppy, Eschscholzia californica Fred Melgert
Hairy bush monkeyflower, Mimulus aurantiacus var. pubescens
Fred Melgert
March 13, 2015
Cindy Knoke sends some shots of wildflowers north of Henderson road
and she says "I cound not believe the Ocotillos. I have been
coming to Anza for 50+ years. I love the place. Love your
organization & thank you for what you do! "
Desert Sunflower and Pollinator
Cindy Knoke
A Globe Mallow
Cindy Knoke
March 12, 2015
Henderson Canyon Field by Joy Ziemnick
March 12, 2015
Palo Verde Wash
Fred and Carla say the Blue Palo Verde are now blooming in the wild
and they send some other great photos as well.
Blue palo verde, Parkinsonia florida Fred Melgert
Notch-leaved Phacelia, Phacelia crenulata var. ambigua Fred Melgert
Ocotillo, Fouquieria splendens ssp. splendens Fred Melgert
March 12, 2015
A photo of Lower Smuggler's Canyon by Bill Sullivan
March 12, 2015
Some beautiful flower pictures, all taken by Joy Ziemnick,
from Yaqui Meadows on the edge of Borrego Springs. Octillo, Barrel
Cactus, Desert Agave.
March 11, 2015
Report from Fred and Carla on Mine Wash East Fork Loop
Hiking details here
This looked a promising hike in December, so we went back. The
flower density in Mine wash is much less than what you see around
the visitor center. We got little indication that the last rain
triggered any new growth.
This is the elevation for
Goldfields and we've seen them in Culp Valley. The mine wash is a
known area for them, so I hoped we would find some. Goldfields,
Lasthenia gracilis fields in a couple of places, been a while to see
them in the Mine wash area.
Black brush, Coleogyne
ramosissima is as the name indicates black and looks dead, except
right now when it is turning yellow with nice flowers.
Another plant that Carla was looking for these last weeks,
Spearleaf, Matelea parvifolia, we just stumbled upon one in the
middle of the wash, My favorite for today, but it's hard to choose:
Desert tea, Ephedra californica.
California groundsel, Senecio californicus Fred Melgert
Goldfields, Lasthenia gracilis Fred Melgert
Desert tea, Ephedra californica Fred Melgert
March 11
Henderson Canyon Road
From Fred and Carla: We checked Henderson Cy Road: Brown-eyed
primrose mostly if not all gone, eaten? Dune Primroses/ Sand sabena
between the airport and the Henderson Cy Road crossing (North)
(Pegleg road), you can easily spot them from the road. When you exit
on Henderson Cy Road, a nice patch of Lupine next to the road, close
the the Pegleg monument. More in the middle of Henderson Cy Road
great sunflower fields. Now on the other side of the road as well,
but that's harder to see as the sunflowers turn towards the sun.
Still nice fields of Dune Primroses, but less than a week ago.
March 10, 2015
Report from Karyn
If you have not been out to Henderson Canyon Road, about a mile east
of Borrego Valley Road---wait no longer, drop what you are doing if
you are in town and go there in the early morning when the light is
low, and the air is cool and fresh. The sunflowers are smiling,
dune evening primrose petals are dancing and the scent of lilies can
cause delirium.
Sand dunes ripple from gentle winds in
the night. Fat and sassy white-lined sphinx moth cats wiggling
their way up the dunes looking for the perfect spot to scrape out a
'den' to pupate. And then there are the ravens and hawks along
Borrego Springs Road in old Ag fields eating breakfast of them
before they get a chance!
The desert is alive. Get out
and enjoy. Go dance with the flowers....why are you still reading
this? Get outside!
March 7, 2015
Glorieta Canyon Loop
From Fred and Carla. It's been 5 years that we hike this
particular loop. What you notice is fields Parish's poppy,
Eschscholzia parishii in the sandy Glorietta wash all the way to
town. Beavertail cactus, Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris are
especially good right now, they where blooming all over the place
and with the right most spectacular color. Brittlebush, Encelia
farinosa is almost common this year, whole fields of them.
The hike we took isn't a casual hike, 8.2 miles in total lengthm but
if you hike it from the start up to the boulders you should find
most of the flowers we've seen.
See Hiking information
Veatch's blazing star, Mentzelia veatchiana Fred Melgert
Beavertail cactus, Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris Fred
Melgert
Spiny senna, Senna armata Fred Melgert
Hairy Blazingstar, Mentzelia hirsutissima Fred Melgert
March 5, 2015
North of the Visitor Center to Flatcat Canyon
This report comes from Ferd, Carla, and Bill Fred Says ...We
went out for a quick hike North of the Visitor Center, up to Flatcat
Canyon. First to be found, the tiny easy to miss, Desert Calico,
Loeseliastrum matthewsii, I had to make a better picture than the
one I made at the Visitor Center. Hard to get everything in focus, I
went for manual focus and just shot a couple of them. Second we
where on the lookout for Pebble pincushion, Chaenactis carphoclinia
var. carphoclinia the reason we missed it all the time, It's the
less attractive pincushion. Carla looked at hundreds of plant the
last weeks to find this pincushion. Now that you know what to look
for it's actually easy to ID. Also a difficult one to get a good
picture from. It's simply to bright white, I think this one worked
pretty well. We ran across some aggressive Hyles lineata
caterpillar, one tried to pull the plant right of the ground. They
are bigger and stronger right now. I saw one attacked by a fly and
it desperately tried to defend itself. Bill pointed us to an
interesting plant: Desert Threadplant, Nemacladus rubescens We found
an other tiny plant with an even smaller flower we thought we found
the right one, but it turned out a desert trumpet, so small. But we
found the right one meter away. The plant is tiny and very easy to
miss, lets say almost impossible to find if you don't know how it
looks in real live, but in close up the flowers are wonderful.
  
  
Starting top left
Desert Calico, Loeseliastrum matthewsii
Short-bannered coastal lotus, Acmispon maritimus var. brevivexillus
Hyles lineata caterpillar
Second Row starting top left
Desert Threadplant, Nemacladus rubescens
Pebble pincushion, Chaenactis carphoclinia var. carphoclinia
Parish's poppy, Eschscholzia parishii
All photos by Fred Melgert
March 3, 2015
Report by Fred and Carla from the Torote Canyon Loop.
View Hike details
The cacti are early this year, normally need to wait for the end of
March or early April. The Beavertail cactus, Opuntia basilaris var.
basilaris wow what a color. There are two flowers that people
mix up right now, maybe because we haven't seen both of them at the
same time for a while. Similar: Sand Blazing Star, Mentzelia
involucrata and Ghost flower, Mohavea confertiflora. The easy way to
id is look for the coloring, the Ghost flower has a distinct
coloring.
This is my favourite of the day: Star gilia, Gilia stellata All in
all a nice collection of flowers, could hardly be any better. The
fields of Wallace's woolly daisy, Eriophyllum wallacei and Bigelow's
monkeyflower, Mimulus bigelovii var. bigelovii will certainly grow.
Star gilia, Gilia stellata Fred Melgert
Sand Blazing Star, Mentzelia involucrata Fred Melgert
Ghost flower, Mohavea confertiflora Fred Melgert
Arizona lupine, Lupinus arizonicus Fred Melgert
Beavertail cactus, Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris Fred Melgert
March 2, 2015
Ioana sent some nice photos of the bloom along Henderson Canyon Road
taken this past Sunday. She says this was her first trip to
Anza-Borrego and she will be back.
North side of Henderson Canyon Road Photo by Ioana
Anghel
March 1, 2015
Birth of an Ocotillo.
by Fred and Carla
Most of the time ocotillos catch our attention when they are mature
plants six to ten feet tall with a dozen or more branches. These are
amazing plants that can produce leaves to full size in just three
days. When the soil dries these leaves turn into spines.
The flowers of the Ocotillo are crucial for migrating Hummingbirds.
They are very rarely photographed as young plants when they are just
emerging from the ground, but Fred and Carla send the following
pictures taken today in Henderson Canyon.
Very young ocotillo Fouquieria splendens ssp. splendens by
Carla Hoegen
The leaves on this young ocotillo will turn to spines as conditions
driy out. by Carla Hoegen
February 28, 2015
Report by Fred and Carla : "We checked out the upper
part of the Jasper trail, not much going on there yet.
So from there we started a hike. That was not the best
idea today because it was early, windy and cold. But nice flowers
nevertheless. Huge bushes of Parish's purple nightshade, Solanum
parishii, A lot of Woolly Indian paintbrush, Castilleja foliolosa,
Cleveland's beardtongue, Penstemon clevelandii var. clevelandii,
a lot of them around the springs and they do love boulders. A huge
White sage, Salvia apiana at a springs. This time the yellow was
mostly from Narrowleaf goldenbush, Ericameria linearifolia perfect
in bloom."
The flower below is one of Fred's favorite from the day. He
says "Notice the outer white flowers, every single one is a flower.
Of course the inside has its individual flowers. A lot of the
members of the huge aster family have these individual flowers but
this on shows them very well."
White tidy-tips, Layia glandulosa Fred Melgert
February 27, 2015
Bill Sullivan says that the red tassels of Ocotillo are starting to
nicely appear in Ocotillo Flat and, to a lesser extent,
in Desert Gardens to the south. Ocotillo is a broad alluvial fan
that extends from the wash at the north end of Desert Gardens, where
the Coyote Canyon jeep trail turns across the valley, to the top of
the Borrego Valley below Third Crossing.
February 25, 2015
The race is on!
by Mike McElhatton
It's not easy living in a desert environment where water and food
are almost always in short supply. The wildflowers that are
bringing visitors to the desert right now are mostly desert annual plants. They have
evolved over time to germinate only when there is enough moisture in
the soil so they can quickly grow, flower, and produce seeds.
Those seeds will then wait in the ground, perhaps for years, until
there is enough moisture once again for them to start the cycle all over again.
This adaptation leads to a very short lifespan for an individual
plant, a couple of weeks perhaps, but tens of thousands of years of existence for the species.
But in nature, it does not go unnoticed that all of those springtime
plants are also a good source of food. The creatures that can
rapidly swing into action to take advantage of that food are the
creatures that will prosper over time. Enter the White-lined Sphinx Moth.
White-lined Sphinx moths, also called Hummingbird moths, emerge from the ground and lay their eggs, thousands
of them, on the leaves of the emerging plants. When the food
is there, as it is right now, the sphinx moth caterpillars eat
constantly and grow fast, and it is incredible to see how many
caterpillars can quickly mobilize to take advantage of the food
source. They are an army on the move. Thousands of
brightly colored Sphinx moth larvae
can now be found in certain areas, devouring plants as rapidly as
they can. Their goal is to eat, grow fast, burrow into the
ground where they pupate and emerge as moths, and then lay their
eggs on the leaves of plants, to start the cycle all over again.
So the race is on right now. It is the plants vs the
caterpillars. The people who love the wildflowers don't like
to see that army of caterpillars chomping away, but to the caterpillars it is just one big feast.
To the birds, of course, the caterpillars look like lunch. But
so far the birds are not around in sufficient numbers to make an
impact and the flowers are getting a serious muching, with some
areas of flowers getting wiped out by the caterpillars.
White-Lined Sphinx Moth Caterpillar , Hyles lineata
Photo by Joy Ziemnick
February 25, 2015
Fred and Carla send these beautiful photos of Desert five-spot that
they found in the
Sweeney Pass South Canyon area
Desert five-spot, Eremalche rotundifolia Fred Melgert
Desert five-spot, Eremalche rotundifolia Fred Melgert
February 23, 2015
Hellhole Canyon by Fred and Carla:
We hiked Hellhole Canyon up to the first palms, back along the wash,
keeping north, and checked Flatcat Canyon. Desert dandelion fields
are everywhere mixed with Pincushion, the latter are less visible
but there are lots of them. Still plenty of Brown-eyed primrose and
fields of Wallace's woolly daisy closer to Flatcat canyon. Small
fields of Bigelow's monkeyflower, mostly concentrated before scrubs.
It was not sunny or warm enough this morning for the Poppy to open.
Bigelow's monkeyflower, Mimulus bigelovii var. bigelovii
Fred Melgert
Desert dandelion, Malacothrix glabrata Fred Melgert
Wallace's woolly daisy, Eriophyllum wallacei var. wallacei
Fred Melgert
February 22, 2015
Henderson Canyon, some new photos taken this afternoon by Fred
Melgert.
Desert Lily, Sand Verbena in the background Henderson
Canyon Fred Melgert.
Dune Sunflower, Helianthus petiolaris
Henderson Canyon - Photo by Fred Melgert
Henderson Canyon - Photo by Fred Melgert
February 21, 2015
Joy Ziemnick reports many blooming and about-to-bloom yuccas ( Our
Lord's Candle) in the vicinity of the Smugglers Cove and Pictograph
trails.
Mohave Yucca (Yucca schidigera) Joy Ziemnick
Joy also sends this photo of a California Patch butterfly on desert lavendar
( Rainbow Canyon)
February 21, 2015
Tom Chester has compiled a list of 79 species found
in bloom at the State Park Visitor Center on February 21
See full list on Tom's website
February 20, 2015
Report from Henderson Canyon by Fred and Carla.
Flowers are good at the start of the
Henderson Canyon, the sculptures make it
more like a maze to find the right route by car. The road is rocky,
so may not be OK for all cars all the way. The first part of the
hike is more or less on a marked hiking trail, so easy. But you
should explore some rocky areas as the flowers tend to be there and
NOT in the wash.
The right hand side of the canyon seem to be the
best flower wise. Brown-eyed primrose, Chylismia claviformis ssp.
peirsonii from the start, but they are winding down (end of bloom)
and vanish further on in the canyon. Common phacelia, Phacelia
distans are in abundant numbers. Desert chicory, Rafinesquia
neomexicana in large numbers, almost as frequent as the fields of
Desert dandelion, Malacothrix glabrata. A good number of Bigelow's
monkeyflower, Mimulus bigelovii var. bigelovii, some already big.
When I hardly recognized Creosote bush, Larrea tridentata,
so yellow, I knew the canyon would be fine. We've seen healthy
Wishbone plant, Mirabilis laevis var. retrorsa in numerous washes,
but here they where in full bloom. Carla's goal was to find Desert
Bluebells, Phacelia campanularia var. campanularia and we found a
handful; this isn't their habitat, but they are pretty. Last
time we forgot to take a picture, because we've seen whole fields in
Joshua tree. Not to forget nice fields of poppy's. And finally Ghost
flower, Mohavea confertiflora again, we encountered then in fish
creek in November last year. And also spectacular Indigo bush,
Psorothamnus schottii.
Henderson Canyon Photos: All taken in Henderson
Canyon Feb 20, 2015 by Fred Melgert
 |
 |
 |
| California
suncup, Eulobus californicus |
Indigo bush, Psorothamnus
schottii |
Desert chicory,
Rafinesquia neomexicana |
 |
 |
 |
| Desert
Bluebells, Phacelia campanularia var. campanularia |
Bigelow's
monkeyflower, Mimulus bigelovii var. bigelovii |
California
trixis, Trixis californica var. californica |
 |
 |
 |
| Chuparosa,
Justicia californica |
Ghost flower,
Mohavea confertiflora |
California
fagonia, Fagonia laevis |
 |
 |
 |
| Desert star,
Monoptilon bellioides |
Parish's poppy,
Eschscholzia parishii |
Beavertail
cactus, Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris |
|
|
February 20, 2015
Rainbow Canyon & Ocotillo Flat by Bill Sullivan
Heading into Borrego Springs from the south, Bill made a stop
in Rainbow Canyon. He says it would be worthwhile to get
someone to make weekly visits down there. The list of plants
collected there over the years is quite extensive. It's a small area
that starts right beside the road (on either side of the road, to be
exact) and it is no more than half a mile to the dry waterfall that
halts all but the adventurous. In other words, it should be made to
order for those who want to botanize by the side of the road. On
this visit, he looked across the road and found a Desert Wishbone
Bush with pink flowers instead of the usual white. A week earlier,
he
found Arizona Fiesta Flower which the California Native Plant
Society classifies as one of the rare, threatened, or endangered
plants in California.
On February 19 (Thursday), Bill visited Ocotillo Flat for a quick
look. He says this area is usually the last area in the valley to
flower. A new plant in flower he found in flower this year was
Desert Star (the Belly flower). He was also happy to see the flowers
on a Fish Hook cactus still looking good. The Beavertail Cactus was
starting to flower here, as it is elsewhere. Weekly visits to
Ocotillo Flat would alson be good, Bill suggests.
Mirabilis laevis - Desert Wishbone Bush by Bill Sullivan
Monoptilon bellioides - Desert Star By Bill Sullivan
February 17, 2015
Some very nice photos of desert lilies and Spanish Needles taken today in the area north
of DeGiorgio Road by Joy Ziemnick. These great shots show the
fascinating details of this beautiful plant. Joy and Jim
Ziemnick are ABDNHA members from the U.P. of Michigan who like to
break away in winter from everything that the U.P. is and
spend some quality time taking pictures in Borrego. Nice
shots. We look forward to more while you are visiting us.
Desert Lily, Hesperocallis undulata Joy Ziemnick
Desert lily, Hesperocallis undulata Joy Ziemnick
Spanish Needles, Palafoxia arida var. arida
Joy Ziemnick
February 17, 2015
Some nice shots taken in Henderson Canyon by Joy Ziemnick
Blue Phacelia/ Wild Heliotrope Phacelia distans Joy
Ziemnick
Blue Phacelia/ Wild Heliotrope Phacelia distans Joy
Ziemnick
February 17, 2015
We have a report from Little Surprise Canyon today by Fred and
Carla. They report lots of interesting flowers to be found and
it is an easy walk, right off of the Hellhole parking area. This
area has individual plants, no widespread blooms such as found
at the entrance to Coyote Canyon. Nevertheless, Fred sends
some very nice closeups, and they are displayed in the collage
below.
Clockwise from top left, Trailing Windmills, Allionia incarnata var.
incarnata , Yellow blazing star, Mentzelia affinis, Desert chicory,
Rafinesquia neomexicana, California fish-hook cactus, Mammillaria
dioica, California fagonia, Fagonia laevis, Parish's poppy,
Eschscholzia parishii, Photos by Fred Melgert.
February 15, 2015
Photos sent to us today by Fred Melgert from the north end of DiGiorgio Road, at the
entrance of Coyote Canyon. 2/17 Fred provides this
update: From the end of Di Giorgio Road walk up to
the end of the Citrus farm (on your left), keep more or less along the
Citrus farm towards First Crossing / Horse Camp. Walk for max 1/2 an
hour. At first it doesn't look too good, but after a while there are
Bigger Dune primrose, Oenothera deltoides ssp. deltoides than we
found on the other side of the road. Desert-willow, Chilopsis
linearis ssp. arcuata already in bloom close to first crossing. Also
best to visit the morning as many flowers close later in the day.
Dune primrose, Oenothera deltoides ssp. deltoides , Desert
sand-verbena, Abronia villosa var. villosa , and Brown-eyed
primrose, Camissonia claviformis ssp. peirsonii
Gray desert sunflower, Helianthus petiolaris ssp. canescens
Fred Melgert
 Dune
primrose, Oenothera deltoides ssp. deltoides Fred Melgert
Desert dandelion, Malacothrix glabrata Fred Melgert
February 13, 2015
Juergen Schrenk sends us this photo taken in Coyote Canyon.
Photo was taken on February 11, 2015
February 13, 2015
Today's report from Fred and Carla comes from Layer Cake Wash.
See hiking details.
Fred reports a very healthy collection of Brown-eyed primrose,
Chylismia claviformis ssp. peirsonii, a large collection of
Desert tobacco in the middle of the Fish Creek Wash, which is an
unusual place as they tend to seek out the shade. Also, some
blooming Parish's Goldeneye, Bahiopsis parishii. Salton milk-vetch,
and Astragalus crotalariae that are close to the end of their
blooming cycle, they where in bloom in Fish Creek since December.
Heartleaf sun-cup, Chylismia cardiophylla ssp. cardiophylla
Fred Melgert
Emory's rock-daisy, Perityle emoryi Fred Melgert
And, although this photo has nothing to do with flowers, the photo
below is interesting enough to post here. It appears to be a
strange collection of concretions.
February 12, 2015
From Bill Sullivan: The 2015 Spring annual wildflowers show is
definitely underway with eye-popping displays along
the Coyote Canyon jeep trail (actually, any car can drive it) from
the north end of diGiorgio Road to Desert Gardens (beyond which the
driving becomes more of a problem).
Right now, the star of the show is Peirson's Brown-eyed Primrose
(Camissonia claviformis ssp. peirsonii), a white flower sometimes
with a little pink in the Borrego Valley, yellow in the southern
desert. It's safe to say that thousands of these plants can be seen
over a 4-mile stretch.
In the lower part, in the northern reaches of Borrego Valley, the
flowers are joined by such favorites as Sand Verbena (Abronia
villosa), Dune Primrose (Oenothera deltoides), and Arizona Lupine.
Bladder Pod (Dithyrea californica), reported in flower on January
30, is now showing its namesake seedpods as well as flowers.
In Desert Gardens, the Brown-eyed Primrose plants are joined by a
cousin, California Evening Primrose (Camissonia californica) in
numbers too large to count. Also noted in Desert Gardens were
Forget-Me-Nots (Cryptantha angustifolia), Desert Dandelion
(Malacothrix glabrata), and Desert Chicory (Rafinesquia
neomexicana).
Photo by Bill Sullivan
Photo by Bill Sullivan
February 9, 2015
Fred and Carla spent a short time hiking in the Borrego Badlands
today, where most everything looked pretty dry. And then they
came across this....
Desert trumpet, Eriogonum inflatum Photo by Fred Melgert
After little time in the badlands they headed over into Hawk Canyon
and they say that area looks promising for flowers.
February 8, 2015
We had a report today of an area with a nice assortment of flowers
in Henderson Canyon, not the Henderson Canyon Road but the actual
canyon, on the west side of Borrego. Flowers seen there
included Desert Lavender, Desert Dandelion, Chuparosa, Brittlebush,
Monkey Flower, Brown-eyed Evening Primrose, Little Gold Poppy, Gold
Poppy, and Lupine.
A later drive around the Borrego Valley revealed that the junction
of Big Horn and Borrego Springs road, just a short distance norht of
Christmas Circle, has a variety of plants germinating and looks to
be another promising area in the weeks ahead. .
February 8, 2015
Fred and Carla hiked up the Hellhole Canyon fork along Pena Spring.
Not a casual hike, they say, and knowing how they hike that means
it's a hard hike, but they say it is very interesting because it
crosses a couple of different climate zones.
The hike route is here. As usual, they send some great
photos.
Wild-cucumber, Marah macrocarpa, close to the Pena Springs parking
area. Fred Melgert
They also report lots of Desert Apricot in bloom, Oak gooseberry,
white flowering current, some filaree, nice manzanita in bloom at
the higher elevations, lutebush, and a few small flowered poppies,
Eschscholzia minutiflora ssp. minutiflora, shown below.
February 5, 2015
We have this report today from Bill Sullivan: Today the plant seen
with the most flowers along Henderson Canyon Road is Baileya
pauciradiata, commonly as Colorado Desert Marigold or Laxflower. A
member of the Sunflower family (Asteraceae), those seen here are
bushy with multiple stems to 18 inches tall. The stems are green,
some blue-green. The ray flowers are pale yellow.
Also
noticed for the first time in this location this year were three
healthy-looking Desert Sand Verbena flowers (Abronia villosa). Sand
Verbena is a ground-hugging vine with pink and white flowers and
sticky hairs that pick up the sand that Sand Verbena thrives in. Its
other name is Hairy Sand Verbena.
We saw these and hundreds
of plants ready to flower, including about two dozen Desert Lilies
(Hesperocallis undulta), several of them in bud, about 70 yards
north of Henderson Canyon Road and 125 yards west
of Coyote Mountain. This a bit east of where flowers have been seen
in this big basin in past years.
Meanwhile, along the Coyote
Canyon Jeep Trail, from the end of DiGiorgio Road to Desert Gardens,
the numbers of Spectacle Pod and Peirson's Evening Primrose have
picked up. A few Desert Sand Verbena plants are in flower.
.jpg)
Desert Lily Hesperocallis undulata Bill
Sullivan
Colorado Desert Marigold Baileya pauciradiata Bill Sullivan
February 5, 2015
Fred and Carla went into
Bighorn Canyon
today to look for some Bush Milkvetch they had found there last
year. Having found none, they went into
another fork where they found several plants. Photos
below, as well as an interesting close-up of Ocotillo.
Closeup of Ocotillo just leafing out, Fouquieria splendens ssp.
splendens Fred Melgert
Bush Milkvetch, Astragalus pachypus var. pachypus Fred
Melgert
Palmer's milkvetch, Astragalus palmeri
February 2, 2015
Fred and Carla were recently in Coyote Canyon and they report both
Spectacle-pod and some sand verbena. Sand Verbena may be one
of the most common plants to be found in the Borrego valley but it
certainly is also one of the most brilliant.
Fred was biking a part of this trip, so his
hiking info is actually biking info this time around.
Desert Sand Verbena, Abronia villosa var. villosa
Fred Melgert
Another common but beautiful flower, Brittlebush, Encelia
farinosa Fred Melgert
And a very large Bladderpod Peritoma arborea Fred
Melgert
Asian Mustard, Brassica tournefortii Fred Melgert
January 30, 2015
Bill Sullivan reports he has seen his first annuals of the season,
about 25 Spectacle Pods (Dithyrea californica) beside the
Coyote Canyon Jeep Trail, an easy walk just north of the DiGiorgio
Road. This is always a popular place to look for flowers as
people can park on the blacktop and take a short walk into the
canyon.
From Bill's camp at Desert Gardens, a little futher into the canyon,
he was up with first light looking for flowers. The pictures
below show a bit of what he found.
Brown-eyed Primrose, Camissonia claviformis ssp. Piersonii.
Bill Sullivan
Trailing Windmills Allionia incarnata
Bill Sullivan
Spectacle Pods Dithyrea californica Bill Sullivan
Pale Yellow Sun Cup Camissoniopsis pallida Bill
Sullivan
January 27, 2015
Fred Melgert reports that desert lilies are beginning to bloom along
Henderson Canyon Road, mostly between S-22 and Borrego Valley Road.
He says that only a few are in bloom now but that this area looks
very promising for wide spread bloom of lilies in a few weeks or so.
Also... Rain this week increases the chance that this will
be the best flower year out of the past several. We have
had several reports that there is a lot of plant germination in the
Borrego Valley. Plants are just beginning to be seen poking
through the ground. That bodes well for flowers in another few
weeks.
Desert Lily Photo by Fred Melgert
Another desert lily - this one not yet in bloom. Photo by Fred
Melgert.
January 21, 2015
Fred and Carla send these interesting shots from today on Thimble
Peak, ashy silk tassel and a close shot of a pollinating bee.
Hiking information here.
Ashy silk tassel, Garrya flavescens Fred Melgert
Ashy silk tassel, Garrya flavescens with bee pollinating Fred
Melgert
January 20, 2015
Palm Canyon Trail
Marcy Yates says pretty colors are starting to appear along Borrego
Palm Canyon trail -- huge bushes of red chuparosa flowers, tall
stands of desert lavender, and a few bright yellow brittlebush
flowers. There were some very happy bees buzzing around the
flowers. Lots of green plants hint at the possibility of more
flowers to come. It may be a good year for phacelia and rock
daisies in this area. As of this morning (1/20), running water
flowed over the small waterfalls near the first palm grove and
almost to the trail crossing at the wash.
Note: We have had several reports saying there is more water flowing
in Palm Canyon now than in recent years. So it would be a good
time to take that hike.
Photo by Marcy Yates
Photo by Marcy Yates
Photo by Marcy Yate
January 19, 2015
Culp Valley
Fred and Carla send us the first shot of desert apricot this year,
from Culp Valley.
Hiking information here
Desert apricot, Prunus fremontii Fred Melgert
January 17, 2015
Domelands East
Today Fred and Carla explored the visually strinking Domelands area,
south of Anza-Borrego, where they headed into the less visited
eastern part. Some of their flower shots are shown
below.
Hiking information here.
Rose mallow, Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea Fred Melgert
Hoffmannseggia, Caesalpinia virgata Fred Melgert
Heartleaf sun-cup, Camissonia cardiophylla ssp. cardiophylla
Fred Melgert
Remains of ancient shells, from a time when this area was covered by
a shallow sea.
Photo by Fred Melgert
January 16, 2015
Palm Canyon
Cyclists hate this plant. But what's pretty is pretty and even
'bad plants' can have nice flowers. This is also very small flower;
take notice of the grains of sand at the bottom.
Puncture-vine, Tribulus terrestris Fred Melgert
Plus this one from Palm Canyon: Rock crossosoma, Crossosoma
bigelovii Fred Melgert
January 12, 2015
Yaqui Meadows Loop
Everyone is waiting to see if conditions will be right for a good
bloom of flowers this spring. In the meanwhile Fred and Carla
are out exploring on a regular basis and they are finding flowers on
just about all of their trips, not the desert floor carpeted in
flowers, but beautiful flowers tucked away in canyons and washes
where there has been enough moisture to sustain them.
This trip was to Sweeney Pass South Canyon, in the south part of
Anza-Borrego, where they found this very large desert tobacco plant,
along with other species, such as Newberry's velvet mallow, ground
cherry, desert lavender, along with a nice bloom of brittlebush.
HIking details here.
Desert tobacco, Nicotiana obtusifolia by Fred Melgert
January 6, 2015
Sweeney Pass South Canyon
A beautiful barrel cactus photo by Fred Melgert taken on Yaqui Ridge
today.
Hike details here.
January 4, 2015
Yaqui Meadows Loop
Fred and Carla send some beautiful flower pictures from this nice
loop east of Glorieta Canyon. We are all waiting to see what
the rain will produce, but in the meanwhile Fred and Carla continue
to find beautiful flowers and send us beautiful pictures.
Hiking details here.
Brittlebush, Encelia farinosa Photo by Fred Melgert
Paperbag Bush / Mexican Bladder Sage, Scutellaria mexicana Photo by
Fred Melgert
December 31, 2014
Snow in Culp Valley
It did not snow in the Borrego Valley but Fred and Carla found
plenty of snow not very far away, in the Culp Valley, and they send
us these pictures of snow-covered cholla and yucca
December 16, 2014
Birth of a Smoketree
Fred Melgert sends this excellent photo of the birth of a smoketree.
Smoketree seeds will only germinate after being tossed about in a
flood, which removes a protective layer on the seed. In this
photo you see not only the young tree but also evidence of the flood
that took place with the cracked plates of mud, that have since
dried in the sun.
You can click the image above to download Fred's original full size
image, which shows more detail and perspective.
December 16, 2014
Oyster Wash, From Fred and Carla
Trailing windmills, Allionia incarnata by Fred Melgert
Fremont's Desert Thorn, Lycium fremontii by Fred Melgert
December 15, 2014
From Fred and Carla on the Thimble Trail Loop.
Hiking Details Here They say they
saw the best Asters so far this season, some nice desert holly, and
once in a while, a Creosote in bloom They also report the
first blooming Silky dalea that they have ever encountered.
Silky dalea, Dalea mollis Photo by Fred Melgert
Chinch-weed, Pectis papposa var. papposa Photo by Fred
Melgert
Alkali goldenbush, Isocoma acradenia var. acradenia Photo
by Fred Melgert
December 9, 2014
Fred and Carla send these photos from the Domelands area in the
south part of Anza-Borrego.
View Hiking Details
Rosy apricot mallow, Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea Photo
by Fred Melgert
Ocotillo, Fouquieria splendens ssp. splendens Photo by Fred
Melgert
White-stemmed milkweed, Asclepias albicans Photo by Fred
Melgert
Nevada indigo-bush, Psorothamnus polydenius Photo by Fred
Melgert
December 1, 2014
Fred Melget sends these great flower shots from the Elephant Knees
in the southern part of Anza-Borrego.
Sticky fagonia, Fagonia pachyacantha by Fred Melgert
Wire-lettuce, Stephanomeria pauciflora Photo by Fred
Melgert
November 29, 2014
Fred and Carla this report from the
north fork of arroyo salada loop. where they braved what they
called an "artificial dust storm" from the thousands of off-roaders
at Ocotillo Wells SVRA over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Indigo bush, Psorothamnus schottii by Fred Melgert
Palmer's crinklemat, Tiquilia palmeri by Fred Melgert
Pima rhatany, Krameria erecta by Fred Melgert
November 27, 2014
Fred and Carla send us some nice flower shots taken along the Jasper
Trail.
View
Hiking Details
Sapphire woolly-star, Eriastrum sapphirinum ssp. sapphirinum
by Fred Melgert
Slender wreathplant, Stephanomeria exigua ssp. exigua by
Fred Melgert
November 15, 2014
Joy Ziemnick sends us this great photo of a queen butterfly taken
along Fish Creek.
Very nice photo!
Boundary Goldenbush Ericameria brachylepis Photo by Joy
Ziemnick
November 15, 2014
Fred Melgert and Carla Hoegen checked out the Lizard Wash -
Chuckwalla Loop hike they are doing for ABDNHA on January 3 and, as
usual, they have found flowers! Welcome back to Borrego!
Here are some pictures from their hike. Note that Fred has
developed an app for
Anza Borrego Hiking that is based on the information on his
website.
The app is available for free in the Google Play Store.
Wand Sage, Salvia vaseyi Great find Carla!
Photo by Fred Melgert
Second shot of Wand Sage Photo by Fred Melgert
Third shot of wand sage Photo by Fred Melgert
Trailing Windmills, Allionia incarnata var. incarnata Photo
by Fred Melgert
Parish's Goldeneyes Bahiopsis parishii
Photo by Fred Melgert
November 14, 2014
We had two submissions from Glorietta Canyon today.....
First, Joy Ziemnick sends us a couple of great shots of Bighorn Sheep
that they saw on a ridge at the top.
Photo by Joy Ziemnick
Photo by Joy Ziemnick
...and a photo from Fred Melgert. Fred and Carla report spurges
everywhere, at least four different species, and the flowers are
very tiny, male and female flowers on the same plant.
Red-gland spurge, Chamaesyce melanadenia Photo by Fred
Melgert
November 11, 2014
ABDNHA members Joy and Jim ziemnick, here for a short time from the
cold and snowy UP of Michigan, send us some beautiful photos taken
over the past couple of days.
A Chuparosa near Mine Wash Photo by Joy Ziemnick
Coyote Melons off of the Jasper Trail Road
Photo by Joy Ziemnick
Sand Verbena, Henderson Canyon Road Photo by
Joy Ziemnick
A hummer taking a break in Plum Canyon
Photo by Joy Ziemnick
August 17, 2014
Summer color around Borrego Springs following a major rainstorm two weeks
ago. Sulphur butterflies (shown) and Tiny Checkerspots (not shown) sip
nectar from blooms of red Fairy Duster and ornamental Texas Ranger (shown
in various shades of purple). Orange blooming Mexican Bird of Paradise
contrasts with the desert's bright blue sky. Native Ocotillos are in full
green leaf across the Borrego Valley.
Texas Ranger with Orange sulpher butterfly - Marcy Yates
Texas Ranger in full bloom. Note color variation in flower color between
this dark purple and the lavender. This plant attracted more bees than
butterflies. Leucophyllum frutescens is an evergreen shrub in the figwort
family, Scrophulariaceae, native to the state of Texas. — at Borrego
Springs, CA Betsy Knaak
Fairy Duster in bloom, August 16, 2014. — at Borrego Springs, CA. Betsy
Knaak
Two weeks after a storm that dropped 3 inches of rain, the Ocotillo
throughout the Borrego Valley responded with full leaf, casting a haze of
green across the desert. ....a haven of shade — at Borrego Springs, CA.
Betsy Knaak
Mexican Bird of Paradise in full bloom two weeks after major rain storm of
early August. Note blooming Agave on right. — at Borrego Springs, CA.
Betsy Knaak.
April 11, 2014
From Fed and Carla: The terrain in the Bittercreek area is growing
back after the 2012 fire, but is still easy to hike. The wide-throated
yellow monkeyflowers are still there, but no longer in the hundreds.
Also, the first desert prickly-pear this season.
Hiking details here
desert prickly-pear, Opuntia phaeacantha Fred Melgert
Coves's cassia, Senna covesii Fred Melgert
April 10, 2014
This is the time to visit Culp Valley, cool and still some flowers. And
Culp Valley due to the 2012 fire is still accessible. Carla spent weeks
searching for the showy penstemon and at last we found one. It is a
fire follower so this may be one of the last in this area. Primrose still
bloom early in the day. Western wallflower, the first we found this
season, are growing along the Old Culp Valley Road. We still found two
Bush monkeyflower, they tend to grow in the most difficult to reach spot.
All in all we found a nice collection of flowers on the Borrego side of
the ridge. - Fred & Carla
Hiking details here
showy penstemon, Penstemon spectabilis var. spectabilis Fred
Melgert
western wallflower, Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum Fred
Melgert
Bush Poppy, Dendromecon rigida Fred Melgert
sapphire woolly-star, Eriastrum sapphirinum ssp. sapphirinum Fred
Melgert
April 6, 2014
Hellhole Canyon is a must do hike. It's a more adventurous trail, but one
of the most hiked, it changed a bit after the August 2013 rain A tip: stay
closer to the water while crossing it a couple of times. At the maidenhair
falls, orchids are blooming. Not as many as there should be but plenty.
Smoothleaf yerba santa are blooming mostly beyond the maidenhair falls,
but if you look carefully you may find one earlier on. Three kinds of
Willows are blooming, two real and one desert Willow. White Sage is
blooming in this canyon but in a lot of other places as well; they make
due with less water. And of course you can go even further than the falls.
- Fred and Carla
Hiking
details here
stream orchid, Epipactis gigantea Fred Melgert
Climbing Milkweed, Funastrum cynanchoides var. hartwegii Fred Melgert
smoothleaf yerba santa, Eriodictyon trichocalyx var. lanatum Fred
Melgert
April 5, 2014
Two interesting photos today from Culp Valley. The first, by Fred
Melgert, shows the unusual Pholisma arenarium
in flower. The second photo, by Bob Stinson, shows an
interesting pegmatite dike, partly eroded, to make it look like a
carefully landscaped garden wall.
Pholisma arenarium by Fred Melgert
Pholisma is a parasitic plant, a perennial herb, lacking
chlorophyll, that grows in association with various shrubs, taking
it nutrients from their roots. This flowering plant goes by several
different common names, including
desert Christmas tree, scaly-stemmed sand plant, and purple sand food.
Pegmatite wall in Culp Valley Bob Stinson
April 1, 2014
Today's report from Fred and Carla covers the Indian Valley Torote Canyon
area; lots of boulders to be found here. And they also continue to
spot flowers. They reporst a handful of monkey flowers, but very big
ones, along with some yello chuparosa and blooming cacti.
Hiking details here
Broom Twinberry, Menodora scoparia Fred Melgert
Fish-hook Cactus, Mammillaria dioica Fred Melgert
-Chuparosa,-Justicia-californica.jpg)
Chuparosa, Justicia californica Fred Melgert
Desert Hibiscus, Hibiscus denudatus Fred Melgert
March 29, 2014
From the Pacific Crest Loop, by Fred and Carla
The Thistle Sage are very picky where they grow, so far we found them only
in one specific spot. Wide-throated yellow monkeyflower are still there,
but not for long as they are fire followers. (2012 fire) Bigelow's
monkeyflower, the first time this season we found fields of them. Fields
of Fremont pincushion and some yellow pincushion, another fire follower.
It's time for the Blue Dicks right now, you see them a lot in this area.
Because of the recent fire plants are bigger than usual, like the Chia.
The west side of the Grapevine mountain is always a good place for flowers
The first time this season, monkey flowers, and 2 species in the same
wash. Some of the flowers are fire followers, so for some this may be the
last time.
Hiking details here
Baby Blue Eyes Nemophila menziesii Fred Melgert
Thistle Sage, Salvia carduacea Fred Melgert
Chaparral Gilia, Gilia angelensis Fred Melgert
Wallace's woolly daisy, Eriophyllum wallacei Fred Melgert
Blue Dicks, Dichelostemma capitatum Fred Melgert
March 25, 2014
Carrizo Wash - Fred and Carla. Mesquit and Catclaw are blooming in
the canyon. Notice the California Copperleaf, with the tiny flowers. We
came across a dead Borrego. Water is not that far away, maybe the Coyote
got him, we saw one as we entered the Canyon. We see bighorn sheep
frequently in the Carrizo Canyon. There is a large forgotten oasis
here, with a healthy population of over 100 Palms. It isn't on the map, no
sign, so hardly anyone will visit it, Not the easiest hike, with some
rocks and boulders. The wash road up to the canyon is good, but with
plenty of soft sand this year.
Hiking details here
Honey Mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa Fred Melgert
California Copperleaf, Acalypha californica Fred Melgert
March 24, 2014
Culp Valley - Fred and Carla We simply had to go back to Culp
Valley, the best place to find flowers this year. This time up along a dry
spring, more to the east. The first time this season we saw fields of
pincushion (white and yellow) and woolly daisy. A lot of Acton
Brittlebush, Golden-Yarrow, 3 kind of Lupines. The Schott's calico along
the Wilson trail is the first we ever saw. This time we probably saw the
highest number of different blooming flowers ever. Warning: This hike is
NOT easy, expect boulders and some steep canyons. The plants like boulders
and canyon walls, that's where the flowers are.
Hiking details here
cream cups, Platystemon californicus Fred Melgert
White stemmed blazing star, Mentzelia albicaulis Fred Melgert
desert woolly-star, Eriastrum eremicum ssp. eremicum Fred Melgert
California Rock Cress, Boechera californica Fred Melgert
Palmer's milk-vetch, Astragalus palmeri Fred Melgert
Schott's calico, Loeseliastrum schottii Fred Melgert
desert dudleya, Dudleya saxosa ssp. aloides Fred Melgert
March 17, 2014
Culp Valley-Wilson Trail by Fred & Carla Culp Valley looks very dry,
but when you hike up the wash towards the Pinyon Ridge, you see more and
more flowers. We expected some flowers blooming, but not as many as we
saw.
Prickly poppy like some rocks, so we found them a bit out of the wash.
We've seen purple nightshade blooming in the area for months now and it is
still going strong, they like the shade too. It may be a bit early for
blue dicks, we saw only one. Jimson Weed is doing great, you see them all
over the place. Pincushions are good, at least more than a single one in
other places. The Yellow Pincushions are more rare, they look good on
film. Milk-vetch is still blooming and has large fruits, this is one of
the places where you can find two species. Whispering bells are still
there after many months. Bush monkeyflowers, you find many of them as
well. Plenty of desert globemallow. Wild-cucumber has made some nice
fruit, that's how you recognize them.
Hiking details here
Comment by Mike: There are so many flower photos in the
Culp Valley - Wilson Trail report that a thumbnail of Fred's Picasa page
is shown above.
Click
it to view the gallery.
prickly poppy, Argemone munita Fred Melgert
lotebush, Ziziphus parryi var. parryi Fred Melgert
Parish' Jacumba milk-vetch, Astragalus douglasii var. parishii Fred
Melgert
March 16, 2014
June Wash Sandstone Canyon by Fred & Carla. Even here where we didn't
expect any flowers, we found Asters in good shape, nice Bristly
Langloisia, big Desert Tobacco and even some Lupine. The Ocotillo seem to
be a bit later, but with green leaves along the road close to Vallecito
and blooming, they must like it. This hike starts in the June Wash,where
a 4x4 is preferred. This is a way to get to the Sandstone canyon without
driving into Fishcreek. Hike up to the "Peak", this is an amazing
viewpoint, one of the best. The route goes down steeply on a short but
slippery slope into a fork of the Sandstone canyon. Hiking back is in the
impressive Sandstone canyon, one of the best canyons in the park, up to a
saddle and back to the car.
Hiking details here
Bristly Langloisia, Langloisia setosissima ssp. setosissima Fred
Melgert
Closeup Bristly Langloisia, Langloisia setosissima ssp.
setosissima Fred Melgert
Canyon View Fred Melgert
March 13, 2014
The lower willows is a nice place to hike right now, one of the greener
places in the park. The road is very good up to third crossing but good
ground clearance is recommended. There is some soft sand at the start of
the dirt road. The Willows are blooming at the moment (2 species of real
Willows not the Desert Willow that only looks like a Willow), and
the Cholla are early this year. Willows, Honey mesquite and Arrow-weed are
blooming. We set out to find the spring and circled as close
as possible around it, but it is not possible to get to the spring right
now; the vegetation is incredibly dense. You should be able to get to the
Palm oasis. The hiking trail is almost fully restored, except for the
sign, that is still missing.- Fred & Carla
Hiking details here
Goodding's Willow?, Salix gooddingii? Fred Melgert
Narrow-leaved Willow?, Salix exigua var. exigua? Fred Melgert
Spanish Needles, Palafoxia arida var. arida Fred Melgert
Over view Fred Melgert
March 12, 2014
Today's report is from Harper Dams. Starting at the end of the
Pinyon road, Fred and Carla hiked up Pinyon canyon, across Harper flat,
turned right and ended up at the Harper dams. Fred describes this as
a very nice narrow canyon with some obstacles. They then went back along
the Pinyon Mountain road to take a look at Heart Attack Hill/Pinyon
Drop-off. Fred says, "man what a steep drop," down into a small
canon, where the old shack is located. Watch out for the Chaparral Dodder,
that looks dead, but is actually blooming. A lot of Specter Phacelia along
the hike too.
Hike details here
Chaparral Dodder, Cuscuta californica var. papillosa by Fred
Melgert
Specter Phacelia Phacelia pedicellata by Fred Melgert
Purple Mat, Nama demissum var. demissum by Fred Melgert
March 10, 2014
Report from Bittercreek by Fred and Carla. Plenty of Apricot Mallow in the
creek, some lonely Pincushion. Huge Common Sow-Thistle, nice blooming
Tamarix. Red brome is pretty, except when you get them in you hiking
boots, real nasty stuff. Salt Marsh Sand Spurrey is blooming for weeks
now, but only later in the day. Even some Wallace's woolly daisy's close
to the saddle, probably got some more water from mist? Normally you see
plenty of them in this area, now only a few of them. Bittercreek is one of
our favorite places to hike. After the 2012 fire the canyon is easily
accessible. A good change to make a loop along the Pacific Crest trail,
with some great views. Bittercreek is also one of the few places with
flowers this season.
Hiking details here
Engelmann's hedgehog cactus, Echinocereus engelmannii Fred
Melgert
Salt Marsh Sand Spurrey, Spergularia marina Fred Melgert
California groundsel, Senecio californicus Fred Melgert
Rabbitsfoot Grass, Polypogon monspeliensis Fred Melgert
Wishbone Plant, Mirabilis laevis var. retrorsa Fred Melgert
March 8, 2014
Sombrero Peak. Fred and Carla found just a few flowers on this
hike. The only water, or indication of it, was found on the peak, in the
box to register, someone put it upside down, so it was half filled with
water. This indicates recent water and a lot of it, I guess 4 inches. Fred
We came well prepared for the climb up to Sombrero Peak after reading
stories of a very difficult hike. The road into the South fork of Indian
valley, was much better than expected, so we arrived at the end of the
road real quick. We started with the most difficult part of the hike,
straight up the canyon wall. After 2 hours we arrived at the peak, a bunch
of large boulders. A bit hard to determine what's the actual peak. As
Carla already told me, peaks are nicer from afar. The Sombrero peak is
highly recognizable, but only from a distance and at the right angle.
Spotting the palm below us on the way down and as we where way ahead of
schedule, we decided to go down. Down is rather steep and with plenty of
small boulders. The oasis is in bad shape, a lot of dead palms. Getting at
the palms was difficult, getting out and back turned out even more of a
challenge. Beware: This isn't a hike for the casual hiker, there is no
trail. You need some experience in these boulder rich mountains.
Hike details here
Sapphire Woollystar, Eriastrum sapphirinum Fred Melgert
Parry's Bear-Grass, Nolina parryi Fred Melgert
Sombrero Peak Fred, at the top. Photo by Carla Hoegen
March 4, 2014
A great hikeup the east fork of Pincyon wash today by Fred and Carla, then
back around Harper Flat and down the main Pinyon Wash. Blooming: Indigo
Bush, Chuparosa, red, orange, and yello, as well as Spiny Senna, and White
Sage. The Creosote is really colorful as well.
Hiking details here
White Sage, Salvia apiana Fred Melgert
Spiny Senna, Senna Armata Fred Melgert
March 3, 2014
Fred and Carla send a report from Travertine Palms, a small oasis in the
northeast corner of the park. The wash is very dry but Palo Verde
are blooming, and lots of trailing windmills.
Hiking details here
California fan palms, washingtonia filifera Fred Melgert
Desert Thorn-Apple,
Datura discolor Fred Melgert
Cheesebush,
Hymenoclea salsola var. salsola Fred Melgert
February 27, 2014
Fred and Carla send today's report from the Lute Fault Scarp. Fred says
this is a pushed up hill of sand and gravel, supposed to be the largest of
its kind in the Northern part of the continent. It's also a nice hike, in
the sand dunes, rattlesnake canyon wash and back over the ridge. The sand
is an ideal place for tunnels, so watch your steps. Palo Verde are
starting to bloom, even as some look almost dead.
Hiking details here
blue palo verde, Parkinsonia
florida Fred Melgert
Parish's Gold Poppy, Eschscholzia
parishii Fred Melgert
February 24, 2014
Today's hike by Fred and Carla starts on the east side of Granite
Mountain, in Cool Canyon. They say this is an interesting
canyon, easy to hike with some small dry falls. As the canyon ends at a
vertical dry fall, head South out of the canyon toward the ridge/saddle.
Go around the South side of the first peak and head for the second peak.
Follow the ridge, all the way up to the main peak. The last stretch is the
most difficult as the peak is mostly a pile of boulders. Along the way we
found interesting plants, including some rare and one we've never seen
before. Unfortunately the rare one is close to the peak, so it's a long
way back to see if it's starting to bloom.
Hike details here
Silver Birds Foot Trefoil, Acmispon argophyllus
var. argophyllus
Fred Melgert
Poodle-dog Bush, Eriodictyon
parryi Fred Melgert
Prickly Poppy, Argemone munita Fred Melgert
Parry's Nolina, Nolina parryi Fred Melgert
February 21, 2014
From Fred and Carla, report from Coyote Canyon:
We read reports of hardly any flowers in Coyote canyon. But while driving
up along first crossing, Carla detected a number of them. So arriving at
third crossing we changed our plans and hiked along Coyote creek. Of
course it's best to start at first or second crossing and head up or down
stream. Most of the flowers are between second and third crossing. The
road has never been better and of course up to first crossing is
especially easy. The only obstacle is some soft sand. There are no flower
beds, but still a great variety of flowers, It's been a while that we've
seen Western Jimson Weed this big. False Monkeyflower with tiny flowers,
this is one of the few places in the park where you can find them. A less
pleasant note, insects with a nasty bite. And don't forget to bring
waterproof shoes.
Hike details here
Western Jimson Weed, Datura wrightii Fred Melgert
Hairy Sun Cups, Camissoniopsis
hirtella Fred Melgert
False Monkeyflower,
Mimulus pilosus Fred Melgert
Arrow Weed, Pluchea sericea Fred Melgert
Desert Plantain, Plantago ovata Fred Melgert
Heart-leaved
Primrose, Camissonia cardiophylla
Fred Melgert
February 19, 2014
From Fred and Carla, June Wash:
The June wash was easy to drive in 2014, some soft sand at the start, but
I don't think you need AWD, but don't blame me if you get stuck! An
easy hike except for the short scramble up to the ridge. Keep in the east
fork and drive up to the end. Keep hiking east and you end up in a fork of
the Arroyo Tapiado and eventually in the main wash with the road. But if
you keep going that way you will end up miles and miles from your car. So
cross over to the Arroyo Hueso. Great canyons with steep walls you see all
over this area. After just under a mile we headed North West back toward
the June wash. Flowers: Many: Spanish Needles, woody-asters (the best so
far). Some: Indigo bush, Emory's indigo-bush, Ocotillo and Tamarisk,
indicating water. Another Broom-Rape, it's blooming time for them. They
are real easy to miss, blending in with the sand.
Hike details here
Pima Rhatany, Krameria erecta Fred Melgert
Tamarisk, Tamarix ramosissima
Fred Melgert
Broom-Rape,
Orobanche cooperi Fred Melgert
Emory's indigo-bush,
Psorothamnus
emoryi Fred Melgert
February 18, 2014
Fred and Carla hiked to Whale Peak today. They say they did not take
the easiest way up to the peak, but their routhe was interesting, if you
are not afaid of rocks and boulders. Fred says that flowers were
scarce, but as always they provide some wonderful pictures of.....flowers!
They also say they encountered a traffic jam in the park, driving back
from parking on the dirt road. It was a busy Presidents weekend.
Hike details here
California buckwheat, Eriogonum fasciculatum
Fred Melgert
Desert lotus, Acmispon rigidus Fred Melgert
Narrowleaf Goldenbush,
Ericameria linearifolia
Fred Melgert
February 13, 2014
Fred and Carla hiked Bisnaga was and they say "This is what I think a
desert should look like." It is an easy stroll, hike for about 30
minutes, go over to the other side of the wash and then hike back.
Blooming right now:
Cheesebush in two colors, Chuparosa in red, orange, and yellow, along with
barrel and fish-hook cactus. Finally, after years of searching they
have also found Newberry's velvet mallow. Watch out for all
the cholla though!
Hiking details here
Newberry's velvet mallow, Horsfordia newberryi Fred Melgert
Yellow Chuparosa, Justicia californica Fred Melgert
White-stemmed blazing star, Mentzelia albicaulis Fred Melgert
Cheesebush, Ambrosia salsola var. salsola Fred Meglert
California Barrel Cactus, Ferocactus cylindraceus Fred Melgert
February 12, 2014
Marcy Yates sends a report from a hike in South Palm Wash. She sends
photos of a giant milkweed spotted along the way but reports there are not
many other flowers there, other than a few Desert Trumpets with their very
small flowers.
Giant Milkweed Asclepias sublata apocynaceae Marcy Yates
Milkweed Asclepias sublata apocynaceae Marcy Yates
February 12, 2014
Fred and Carla send a report from Eagle Rock, which they describe as a
hike among friendly cows, along a popular section of the Pacific Crest
Trail. Carla is puzzled by the birchbark mahogony which should bloom
much later, and this one is already in fruit.
Hike details are here
Birch-leaf Mountain Mahogany, Cercocarpus
betuloides var. betuloides,
Fruit Fred Melgert
Wild Cucumber, Marah macrocarpus
var. macrocarpus
Fred Melgert
February 9, 2014
Report from Bill Sullivan
What some people look forward to as the first day of spring wildflower
season in Anza-Borrego is now less than a week away. Early reports
indicate that the 2014 season won't measure up to good seasons in past
years. So today I decided to drive to Ocotillo, and come up County Road
S-2 to Scissors Crossing to see what I could see in the way of early
bloomers, as close to the road as possible.
I exited Interstate-8 at Highway 98 where I was greeted by a few flowering
Brittlebush and Creosote. I stopped to look around, and also found a
California Fagonia (but just one) and noticed two Chuparosa plants with
nice red flowers in a wash. The Brittlebush and Creosote apparently had
been flowering for several days. The flowers appeared weather-beaten, and
were small, a sign of lack of water, so nice but not spectacular. I looked
around for signs of spring annuals, real wildflowers and not just the
flowers on shrubs and trees, but I saw nothing.
My next stop was a few miles east on Highway 98 at a road called Coyote
One. It is just south of a tall microwave tower beside a road to
the Yuha Basin. Running south from Highway 98 at the Coyote One road is a
ditch which, though dry now, always seems to support several nice flowers.
I was pleased to notice two nice new Prickly Poppy (Argemone munita)
plants in flower and quite a bit of small-flowered Apricot Mallow. Last
year the Prickly Poppy covered several acres of ground west of the
Crucifixion Thorn reserve east of here another mile, so I drove down to
take a look. I didn't find much Prickly Poppy in flower, but I did find
sufficient numbers sprouting out of the ground to tell me this could be
another good year for this plant here. As for other plants, I could not
say, but the Crucifixion Thorn (Castela emoryi) was looking good. .
Then it was on to Anza-Borrego where things became progressively
flowerless, at least beside the road. The highlight was at the Volcanic
Hills where I stopped to look at the Pygmy Cedar (Peucephyllum schottii)
-- it wasn't in flower but I love the green color -- and I came across
an Oncerometopus nigriclavus (just call it a red Plant Bug) enjoying some
Milkweed.
Argemone munita Bill Sullivan
Peucephyllum_schottii Bill Sullivan
Oncerometopus-nigriclavus Bill Sullivan
Castela emoryi Bill Sullivan
February 7. 2014
Fred and Carla revisited Grapevine Peak today, the first time since the
2012 fire. The return in Bitter Creek was a lot easier this time; no
more nasty cat claw and other nasty scrubs. Flowers are scarce, but
still a good variety.
The hike up Grapevine Peak is one of the easiest around, they say.
Fred says: "This time around we didn't repeat the previous mistakes, going
up high after the saddle. Going up along the wash was pretty easy and
there where some pretty flowers up there. First you get a rocky peak and
close by is the more shallow real peak. .Looking down towards Bitter
Creek, a very steep drop indeed. So keep on going south, following the
ridge down. It still goes down rather steep, but the sand keeps it almost
easy. This is where we found our first blooming barrel cactus for this
year. Some small falls and there is still some water in the creek.
More a salty seep than a spring. You see hundreds of Saltmarsh
sand-spurry. The actual spring is further down. There is a white bathtub
that used to be connected to the pipes. You can easily spot the spring by
looking for a palm tree up to the right (east). The Cottonwood Tree that
used to be there is gone, only the trunk remains."
Hike details are here
Purple mat, Nama demissum var. demissum Fred Melgert
Saltmarsh Sand-spurry,
Spergularia
marina Fred Melgert
Red-Stem Filaree, Erodium cicutarium Fred Melgert
Desert Agave, Agave deserti Fred Melgert
February 6, 2014
Fred and Carla find flowers again way, this time above Big Spring in the
steeper boulder rich canyon. There is Red brome in Culp valley and the
Coyote Melon that are plentiful out here. Thousands of Whispering Bells in
the boulders, but only a few opening up their flowers. Golden yarrow is
plentiful and it seems to be paintbrush time. Desert apricot, are starting
to bloom, but only a couple of them. One Indian Valley bush mallow was
spotted near the spring, that was almost white, not a common sight. In the
Big Spring, there is plenty of streaming water, but hardly anything
blooming. But you find Indian Valley Bush Mallow and the tiny Star gilia.
A warning, the canyon is rather steep, so not suited for a casual hike.
Hike details here
Golden yarrow, Eriophyllum
confertiflorum
var. confertiflorum
Fred Melgert
Star gilia, Gilia stellata Fred Melgert
Bishop's
Lotus, Acmispon strigosus Fred Melgert
Red brome, Bromus madritensis
ssp. rubens Fred Melget
February 7. 2014
Fred and Carla send todays report from Arroyo Salado, hiking in the north
and main fork, looping around and following many washes. Only some
Asters struggling to bloom were found there, just a few. Conditions
are very dry. We do have the following photo, which is certainly a keeper.
Hike details are here
Orcutt's Woody Aster Xylorhiza orcuttii Fred Melgert
February 6. 2014
A loop in Grapevine Canyon, on the north side, kept Fred and Carla busy
today. They are on a quest to hike as many canyons as possible and,
between last year and this year, they have covered an impressive number of
locations in Anza-Borrego and beyond.
Click here to take a look at the ground
they have covered, all with map details, directions, GPS, photos, and even
videos.
Hike details are here.
Carla - in a scene from today's hike Fred Melgert
Beetle Spurge, Euporbia eriantha Fred Melgert
February 5. 2014
Some nice flowers found at Blue Spring, according to Fred and Carla.
Among
the ones found: Bush Milkvetch, Astragalus pachypus var. pachypus
and Cleveland's
Beardtongue, Penstemon clevelandii var. Clevelandii likes rocks and you
find them in hard to get places, Fred says; he had just room to get the
picture. Then it was on to Blue Spring and it's great sandstone pillars
and holes. This time they report that they found a better route to get
over the saddle, making the hike more pleasant. It still is one of their longer hikes,
they say, but one of
the best. Fred says they found some new flowers that made Carla go the extra mile! Also
the desert apricot and desert mistletoe are starting to bloom.
Hike details are here
Cleveland's
Beardtongue,
Penstemon clevelandii
var. clevelandii
Fred Melgert
Desert-Apricot, Prunus fremontii Fred Melgert
Bladderpod, Isomeris arborea Fred Melgert
Bush Milkvetch, Astragalus pachypus var. pachypus Fred Melgert
January 31, 2014
Today's report from Fred and Carla comes from Big Spring....
Most of the flowers we found closer to the Big Spring. Still plenty of
streaming water in the creek. It is closer to home. This is the third time
we visited Big Spring; this time we hiked the lower canyon down to Middle
Spring. This is a canyon with a creek, narrow and steep. Expect a lot of
steep terrain, so be careful, check all options before proceeding. Watch
for wild cucumber, they look like vines and have a strong smell. They can
fill a large area with flowers.
Hike details are here
Thick-Leaf Desert Mallow, Sphaeralcea
ambigua var. rugosa Fred Melgert
Wild Cucumber, Marah macrocarpus
var. macrocarpus
Fred Melgert
White
fiesta flower, Pholistoma membranaceum
Fred Melgert
January 28, 2014
Fred and Carla sent this report:
We hiked the Smuggler canyon before, but higher up. There it's very steep
and filled with boulders. This lower part is a lot better to hike. The
canyon walls are just high enough to provide some shade for the flowers.
The wash looks dry and dead, but not so, it's filed with insects on the
Lavender and Chuparosa. Both are looking healthy and we haven't seen any
Chuparosa this good, in a couple of months. The first part, up the
Smuggler Canon Wash, is very easy on a sandy wash. It takes about one hour
until you reach some small boulders.
Hike details are here and some flower photos from this trip follow:
Chuparosa, Justicia californica
Fred Melgert
California Fagonia, Fagonia laevis Fred Melgert
Desert Tobacco, Nicotiana obtusifolia
Fred Melgert
January 24, 2014
Pinyon Springs Forks. Another try to find some flowers by Fred and
Carla.
A loop in a couple of steep washes, just below and up to the Wilson Trail.
A scenic hike with some challenging parts. And still flowers after almost
2 months without any rain. Wild Canterbury Bells at every boulder. The
Parish's Golden-Eyes where the best we've see so far. Chia are so big you
hardly recognize them. And the Bush Monkey flower (yellow).
VIEW FULL HIKE DEAILS
Parish's purple nightshade,
Solanum parishii Fred Melgert
California
Primrose, Camissonia californica
Fred Melgert
Bush Monkey Flower, Mimulus aurantiacus
Fred Melgert
January 23, 2014
Fred and Carla sent the following photos today from the Pacific Crest
Loop, mile 14.3
VIEW FULL HIKE DETAILS
Wild Canterbury Bells, Phacelia minor Fred Melgert
Cryptantha, Cryptantha species Fred Melgert
Thick-Leaved Ground-Cherry, Physalis crassifolia Fred Melgert
January 23, 2014
It has been a long time since we heard from Bill Sullivan. Yesterday
he send us the following report:
I finally got back to the realigned First Crossing of Coyote Creek today,
with all of its repositioned creek water and sand. Note how the lower part
of the First Crossing sign is buried in new sand.
In past years, water to First Crossing was either shallow or non-existent.
Today, the water meanders well south of the jeep trail.
Overall, the Borrego Valley where the creek flows look depressingly dry.
Overall, the outlook for spring wildflowers is not good. A great exception
extends about ten yards south of the point where theCoyote Canyon jeep
road crosses the re-aligned creek. The plants here show what water can do.
Before showing you the pictures, I should say that for most people I would
consider the drive here to be 4WD only. I myself parked
at Desert Gardens and walked the rest of the way, about a quarter of a
mile,which is hardly strenuous. I am sure I saw more flowers by walking
than I would have by driving. Before I reached the water of the creek, I
saw a large Cheesebush shrub, Ambrosia salsola var. salsola, in flower in
the dry creek bed. The only bad news is that Cheesebush has some of the
smallest and least-noticed flowers in the desert. It's the fruit, which
appears later, that gets noticed. Here's the itty-bitty flowers:
I also was impressed with the size and color of a Sandpaper Plant,
Petalonyx thurberi, which is one of our few plants to flower in summer.
What was it doing looking so good in January? The flowers are not
show-stoppers.
The stars of the show were the Emory's Rock Daisy, Perityle emoryi(an
Asteraceae), plants beside the creek, upwards of four feet tall, with
hundreds of white flowers with yellow disk flowers in the center ...
I also noticed this Arizona lupine plant ...
and a rather mature Phacelia distans, each the only one of its kind ...
I also noticed a few, just a very few very large and healthy,Camissonia
claviformis ssp. peirsonii plants (I think the NatureCenter people call it
Brown-eyed Primrose, but Peirson's Browneyes would be better) and Dithyrea
californica (Spectacle Pod), one of the good flowers of the Mustard
family. This is usually one of the first to flower in Spring. The photo
below shows the little green spectacle seed pods. They appear in pairs,
like spectacles.
In the photo below, Camissonia can be seen on the left with the Dithyrea
on the right..
Also along the way, I noticed several Psorothamnus emoryi, Dyeweed, with
smallish flowers. Many of the plants were half buried in new sand. Down by
the citrus groves, maybe 100 yards north of the DiGiorgio Road blacktop, I
drove past a tobacco plant, Nicotiana, and I am sorry I didn't get the
species (there are two or three in the desert) and I didn't take a
picture.
January 19, 2014
Fred and Carla found the Culp Valley a good place for flowers mostly out
of the wash. They say...
"Flowers are mostly found in higher elevations right now, where
this hike goes. The hike starts in Culp Valley close to the asphalt.
A not too difficult hike completely off the beaten track. We expected some
flowers this high up and because of the recent fire. Seeing some on the
Wilson trail, that's close by.
We had to deviate slightly from the
planned route, as we hit a really steep drop, with huge boulders. But the
detour we found was surprisingly easy and brought us back on the route we
planned to take."
Hike
Details on Wikiloc
Woolly Indian Paintbrush,
Castilleja foliolosa by Fred Melgert
Red gland spurge,Chamaesyce
melanadenia
by Fred Melgert
Yellow Bush Penstemon, Keckiella antirrhinoides by Fred Melgert
Coyote Melon, Cucurbita palmata by Fred Melgert
January 18, 2014
Arroyo Seco del Diablo in the southern part of Anza-Borrego.
Flowers to be found, even in this very dry time.
Fred and Carla explored this stunning deep and narrow canyon, with slots
in many of the forks. They report that the best route is to exit
Palm Spring and drive Vallecito Wash. They say that the Great
overland route looks good on the map but there is deep sand in one section
and they barely made it through with AWD.
VIEW
FULL HIKE DETAILS
Flat topped buckwheat, Eriogonum deflexum var. deflexum by Fred
Melgert
Narrow-Leaf
Cryptantha,
Cryptantha angustifolia
by Fred Melgert
January 17, 2014
Fred and Carla report that even in this dry period there are flowers to be
found. Their most recent report is fromThe Wilson trail, an easy hike on a
faint dirt road. Take the Jasper trail and turn left on the four way
crossing into (old) Culp Valley road and park at the Wilson trail (all
signed). The road was good in 2014 and suitable for cars with some ground
clearance.
VIEW FULL HIKE
DETAILS Photos foloow:
Yellow pincushion,
Chaenactis glabriuscula
var. glabriuscula
Fred Melgert
Veatch's blazing star, Mentzelia veatchiana Fred Melgert
Indian Valley bush mallow, Malacothamnus
aboriginum Fred Melgert
January 14, 2014
Fred and Carla report "a boulder rich hike" around Ghost mountain. The
morteros are normally as short as hikes go. We made the hike a bit longer,
into the canyon with plenty of boulders and back along the west side of
Ghost mountain. Ghost mountain is filled with fish hook cacti. A couple of
them are the first blooming cacti this year. Only recommended for
experienced hikers.
HIKE DESCRIPTION
Fish-hook Cactus, Mammillaria
dioica Fred Melgert
Heart-leaved
Primrose, Camissonia cardiophylla
Fred Melgert
January 5, 2014
Glorietta Canyon revisited. By Fred and Carla. Glorietta is
one of the most beautiful locations in Anza-Borrego, and so close to
Borrego Springs that it often gets overlooked. On this latest trip
they report seeing Rock Crossosoma, plentiful Spiny Senna, plenty of
Brittlebrush, and some great shots of Indigo Bush.
Rock Crossosoma, Crossosoma bigelovii Fred Melgert
Indigo Bush, Psorothamnus schottii by Fred Melgert
December 31, 2013
The last hike of the year for Fred and Carla took them to Fish Creek.
They say the driving is slow, once past the wind caves, lots of sand and
rocks, close to the limit of their Subaru. A 40 minutes one-way
drive from the asphalt. They saw some bighorn sheep along the way,
the second time this week for them, having seen sheep in the upper part of
Moonlight Canyon a couple of days earlier. The hike, they say, is
for the more adventurous, and a hiking stick is recommended.
VIEW FULL HIKE
The photos from two flowers they had not seen before are shown below.
Broom-Rape,
Orobanche cooperi Melgert
Desert Plantain, Plantago ovata Melgert
December 30, 2013
The upper part of Moonlight Canyon, to the Inner Pastures, was today's
destination for Fred and Carla. Very few people hike the Moonlight
Pass, and althought they saw some hikes at the start there was little sign
of hikers near the top. There are some spectacular granite falls
along the way, but they say that they look more difficult than they are.
On the return trip they encountered eight sheep. Some photos follow.
VIEW FULL HIKE
Desert lotus, Acmispon rigidus Melgert
Queen Butterfly Melgert
Bighorn Sheep seen on their return trip Fred Melgert
December 29, 2013
Mine Wash was the destination that Fred and Carla chose today. They
drove to the end of the road and hiked from there. And they continue
to find flowers wherever they go. Fred says it was a really nice
hike and adds that Dog weed is hard to forget; when you come home you can
still smell it.
VIEW
FULL HIKE
And some photos:
Palmer's Locoweed, Astragalus palmeri Fred Melgert
Peirson's Brown-eyed Evening Primrose, Camissonia
claviformis
ssp. peirsonii Fred Melgert
San Felipe Dogweed, Adenophyllum
porophylloides
Fred Melgert
December 26, 2013
Fred and Carla sent some photos today from yesterday's hike into
Hornblende Canyon. Hornblende is a beautiful little canyon, with
some nice dry waterfalls, old mining sites, and morteros at the upper end.
Fred and Carla will be leading a hike there on February 25. Details
will be posted in the next edition of ABDNHA's Sand Paper newsletter.
VIEW FULL HIKE
California
primrose, Camissonia californica
Fred Melgert
Sow-Thistle,
Sonchus oleraceus Fred Megert
Desert Mistletoe, Phoradendron
californicum
Fred Melgert
December 18, 2013
Fred and Carla send a report from Oriflamme Canyon. Just a few days
from Chrismas but there are flowers to report. They say that the
road in is a little rough and high clearance is a must.
VIEW FULL HIKE
DESCRIPTION
Fremont cottonwood,
Western Sycamore, Willow - Oriflame Canyon Fred Melgert
Sugar
Bush, Rhus ovata Fred Melgert
Wire-lettuce,
Stephanomeria
pauciflora Fred Melgert
Short-winged
deerweed, Lotus scoparius Fred Melgert
Chaparral Nightshade,
Solanum xanti Fred Melgert
December 5, 2013
Today's hike started just before third crossing in Coyote Canyon, part of
Box canyon, a fork of the Box canyon that leads in to Coyote canyon and
back toward the lower willows.
What you can find right now are sand
verbena's, rabbit bush and very early smoke trees blooming.
You can
see the result of the August rain; a huge deposit of sand from Box canyon
into the lower willows.
The smoke trees were a unexpected surprise.
On the return, towards the lower willows, the wash was almost
unrecognizable.
And the hike was more like a bush walk crossing the
willows, the trail runs completely different from last year.
Watch out
for very deep holes.
The road up to third crossing is very good
this year. Fred & Carla
VIEW FULL HIKE DESCRIPTION
Smoke Tree, Psorothamnus
spinosus Fred Melgert
Desert Sand Verbena, Abronia villosa Fred Melgert
Wishbone Plant, Mirabilis laevis Fred Melgert
Mule Fat also known as Seep Willow, Baccharis salicifolia
Fred Melgert
December 4, 2013
Marcy reports very nice Chuparosa blooming along the Narrows Earth Trail.
Chuparosa Marcy Yates
December 3, 2013
We took an easy hike today to Big Springs, just 1.7 miles in length.
The area burned in 2012 so don't wear your best clothes! You can
still see the actual spring; before too long it will all grow back and you
will not be able to reach it so easily.
Today we saw
Parish's Golden-Eyes, Desert Mallow, Rose Desert Mallow, Wedgeleaf Draba,
White Nightshade, Boundary Goldenbush, and Western Jimson Weed. The
combination of fire and rain have made this a good place for flowers this
time of year.
The Rose Desert Mallow may be more rare in the park,
at least we haven't seen it yet before this. I personally like the Wild
Cucumber even as they are 1/2 year old. Western Jimson Weed, seen mostly
white, this one over here is more colorful. Fred & Carla
VIEW FULL HIKE DESCRIPTION
Parish's Golden-Eyes
Viguiera parishii Fred Melgert
Rose Desert Mallow
Sphaeralcea
ambigua var. rosacea
Fred Melgert
White Nightshade
Solanum douglasii Fred Melgert
Wild Cucumber - dried fruits
Marah macrocarpus
Fred Melgert
November 27, 2013
Today we hiked Oyster wash and took a wash to the right. We found
that wash last year by accident. Next we hiked over the saddle and
along the cliff of Fish wash. Steep with very nice views.
Really nice flowers for this time of year.
View Map on
wikiloc
California Fagonia Fagonia laevis Fred Melgert
borregohiking.com
Climbing Milkweed Sarcostemma cynanchoides Fred Melgert
borregohiking.com
Trailing Windmills Allonia incarnata Fred Melgert
borregohiking.com
Desert Hibiscus Hibiscus denudatus Fred Melgert
borregohiking.com
November 26, 2013
Today we hiked two forks of Plum Canyon as a loop. View
map on wikiloc. The hike was great and the flowers were
better than expected. Some pictures follow:
Wire Lettuce stephanomeria pauciflora Fred Melgert
borregohiking.com
Ground Cherry Physalis crassifolia Fred Melgert
borregohiking.com
Desert Trumpet Erigonum inflatum Fred Melgert
borregohiking.com
November 24, 2013
Today we hiked a hike that we had taken in March of this year, from
Highway S2, at mile 15.
It was a beautiful hike with a surprisingly
amount of wildflowers. There were even 2 desert agaves in bloom. Some
photos follow...
Rattlesnake Spurge Fred Melgert
Filaree Fred Melgert
Amaranth Fred Melgert
California match-weed, Gutierrezia
californica Fred Melgert
November 23, 2013
On Saturday we found several nice clumps of California fuchsia in bloom
along the trail to the little waterfall in Cougar Canyon. Verbena was
blooming along the road in Coyote Canyon, along with one very healthy Rock
Hibiscus in flower. Beautiful clumps of Rock Daisies were starting to
bloom above the Third Crossing in Coyote Canyon. Even the foliage of the
Rock Daisies was gorgeous -- lush and luminous green!
California Fuchsia Marcy Yates
Rock Daisy Foliage Marcy Yates
November 12, 2013
Today's hike in Little Surprise Canyon yielded some
wildflower surprises. We saw Desert Rock Daisies blooming in the trail,
along the trail and up the hillsides. It looked like they were just
starting to bloom with lots of buds yet to open. Trailing Windmills were
also much in evidence, with only one Yellow Ground Cherry spotted and only
one Chuparosa starting to bloom. Some Desert Lavender bushes were still
blooming.Today's hike in Little Surprise Canyon yielded some
wildflower surprises. We saw Desert Rock Daisies blooming in the trail,
along the trail and up the hillsides. It looked like they were just
starting to bloom with lots of buds yet to open. Trailing Windmills were
also much in evidence, with only one Yellow Ground Cherry spotted and only
one Chuparosa starting to bloom. Some Desert Lavender bushes were still
blooming.
We saw the most flowers in the right branch of the
canyon, although there were some nice clumps of pale lavender flowers on
our way out of the left branch. - Marcy
Rock Daisy - Marcy Yates
Stephanomeria pauciflora - Marcy Yates
Trailing Windmills - Marcy Yates
Ground Cherry - Marcy Yates
September 29, 2013
We went to Glorietta Canyon today. The flood of August 25 made major
changes to the roadway. It used to be a roadway suitable for two
wheel drive cars, but a large section of that road has been
completely obiterated and replaced by a very wide and very sandy wash.
The wash continues all the way down to Borrego Springs Road, where it
interects the highway just south of San Pablo Road. Lots of tire
tracks indicate that many vehicles are now getting to Glorietta via that
wash instead of the old route.
Here are some flowers we saw along the way.
Desert Hibiscus
Desert Senna
September 6, 2013
Not seen nearly as often as the more common Fishook cactus , these nice
Yaqui Fishook ( Mammillaria tetrancista) were spotted on a rocky
hillside in the Blair Valley following the heavy rainfall.
April 26, 2013
An interesting mix of flowers was found on a 4/26 hike up Plum Canyon. We
saw Snake eyes, Dudleya, White sage, Buckwheat, Sweetbush, Desert
Lavender, Chuparosa, and Desert trumpet.
Cactus blossoms were well represented with Gander cholla, prickly pear,
hedgehog, beavertail and barrel cactus in bloom. - Marcy Yates
Photo by Marcy Yates
Dudleya - Photo by Marcy Yates
April 21, 2013
A nice Desert Willow bloom was starting along the Borrego Palm Canyon
trail. We also found a few yellow monkey flowers in and along the stream
leading out of the oasis. Desert lavender is still blooming well in the
drier areas of the trail.
Only a very few brittlebush and chuparosa flowers lingered. - Marcy
Desert Willow - Photo by Marcy Yates
April 15, 2013
While many flowers have faded or blown away recently, there are still
blooms to be found if you go looking. The Honey Mesquite is in bloom near
Tamarisk Grove. Between there and Mine Wash is a sea of red Ocotillo
flowers, plus quite a few agave flower spikes. Most of the agave do not
yet have flowers open.
At the Mine Wash village site, ocotillo, desert lavender, chuparosa, and
various cactus (beavertail, prickly pear, cholla) are in bloom here and
there, with agave flower spikes visible in the distance. - Marcy
Yates
Desert Lavender Photo by Marcy Yates
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