Posted on 04/04/2010 11:14:56 AM PDT by BenLurkin
The abundance of rain this season along with warming temperatures has provided a wealth of greenery and wildflowers throughout many southern and central California locations.
Some are visible from the road, but you’ll have to lace up your hiking boots, though it’s well-worth the trek for these stunning, colorful displays.
For example, take San Timoteo to Redlands, drive the 60 freeway through the “Badlands” to Moreno Valley, or cruise south on the Highway 79 through the hills to Hemet and beyond to Diamond Valley Lake.
Venture a bit further into the Temecula countryside for breathtaking views of green valleys and hillside vineyards landscaped in hot pinks and bright yellows.
If you are heading to Palm Springs take a trip along Palm Canyon Drive where the roadside is especially colorful. While you’re in the area check out Tahquitz Canyon off West Mesquite Avenue, which is filled with desert dandelion, pygmy golden poppy, white fiesta flower, California sun cup and brown-eyed primrose, among others.
The Cottonwood area at the southern end of the Joshua Tree National Park is starting to sparkle with desert alyssum, sundrops, desert dandelion and beavertail cactus.
And of course we cannot omit the famous Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. About a two-hour drive north, but well worth the effort. Spread over 1,745 acres, these radiant blooms are in their peak, covering the landscape as far as you can see. There are a variety of trails that are easy to reach and easy to walk for the whole family, and much of it is visible from the roadside.
Spring wildflower displays are always unpredictable. So before you make the trip, you may want to call the park you plant to visit or the California wildflower hotline at (818) 768-3533.
(Excerpt) Read more at recordgazette.net ...
It’s time for a “blue bonnet” drive through Central Texas!
Excellent all!
Drove to Port Isabel during Spring Break. South of Corpus the Bluebonnets and Indian Paint were out in full force - such awesome colors. And the drive west to Austin is also in full bloom. One of the very few things I continually thank Lady Bird for.
For those who are too young, or too stupid, to remember, all of CA has been famous for it’s wild flowers after the “rainy season”.If you don’t know this you are either someone who doesn’t live in CA or someone who has just moved here.
Good.
We got ten inches of snow on the ground (Powder River Basin, Wyoming)
"Rhododendrons Prayer" Blue Ridge Parkway, NC
We still have a bit more than that here in the Eastern Sierra of California. April 2nd:
The phone number included with your post from the Record Gazette is from the Theodore Payne Foundation. Their website includes links to .pdf documents with weekly updates.
Desert USA has good updates for western states. This link is for their California updates.
California Poppy and Goldfield in the Antelope Valley near Highway 138 at 150th St.
Temblor Range on the east side of the Carrizo Plain.
Nice!
Any idea where this photo was taken in Anza Borrego?!
Hellhole Canyon? Coachwhip? I’m not sure. Wouldn’t be the first time I mislabeled a photo. :(
Matthew 6 28
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
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