Free Republic

TECOPA, Calif. — Sometimes the desert holds its secrets close, whispering them only to those who carefully listen. But this year, the hottest and driest place in America might as well be shouting. In California’s Death Valley region, the last few months have been remarkably loud. And the latest bellow is still ringing out, with the area’s native wildflowers bursting into bloom. The flowers have filled a place best known for its shades of browns and grays with brilliant blasts...

California's superbloom phenomenon is so big and bright this year it can be seen from space. NASA's Landsat 9 satellite, which was launched in 2021 to capture images of Earth's land surface, sent back images of bright purple and green blooms in Carrizo Plain National Park. A superbloom occurs when desert areas in Southern California receive more rain or cooler weather through the fall and winter, allowing more flowers to thrive. The term "superbloom," however, is not a scientific one: It was created by the media to describe these colorful, robust blooms, said said Cameron Barrows, an associate research ecologist...

Many wildflowers have sprouted all at once, providing plenty of beautiful photo opportunities throughout the Golden State. Southern California Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve Chino Hills State Park Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area Red Rock Canyon State Park Tule Elk State Natural Reserve Northern California Mount Tamalpais State Park China Camp State Park Trione-Annadel State Park

Officials with the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve near Lancaster never thought they'd have to warn people not to land a helicopter in the middle of the fields -- that is, until one actually did. "We never thought it would be explicitly necessary to state that it is illegal to land a helicopter in the middle of the fields," the post stated. "We were wrong." Apparently, a couple landed the helicopter in the field and began hiking off a nearby trail. The hike didn't last long however, as law enforcement immediately intervened, according to post. They tried to contact the...

Full Title: California desert is covered in spectacular wild flowers after heavy winter rain brings second 'once- in a decade' super bloom in just two years After heavy winter rain closely followed by warm temperatures, California is in the midst of its second 'super bloom' in two years. Seeds dormant for decades under the desert floor have burst open and produced a display even more spectacular than the last. It started with the desert lilies in December and since then a wave of wildflower blooms has been crescendoing across the Anza-Borrego desert, in a burst of color so vivid it...