2009 Reports Page 2 ----- Feb and Jan reports

Feb. 27, 2009 Tom reports: Peak bloom began on the desert floor below 1000 feet elevation around 24 February 2009. As of then, all the major flower spots in Borrego Springs had acres of flowers. Many of those locations, such as Coachwhip Canyon on 24 February 2009, have their peak number of flowers now. I observed over 2000 plants of 47 species in bloom in a single day's hike there.

A total of 49 annual species have been observed in bloom as of 24 February 2009 111 total species have been observed in bloom so far this season. The canyons on the west side of Borrego Springs, and higher elevations, have not yet reached peak bloom.

Feb. 26, 2009 DesertUSA reports: The wildflowers are blooming in many areas now. Here are some pictures. Pictures taken with a Canon ESO 40D

Feb. 24, 2009 The Park reports: The mouth of Coyote Canyon at the end of DiGiorgio is displaying a lot of Spectacle Pods and Brown-Eyed Primrose. As you continue up towards Desert Garden, look for Desert Lilies, Lupine, Desert Dandelions, Fremont Pincushions, Chicory, Phacelia, and Verbena.

As you approach Peg Leg on Henderson Canyon Road there is a large patch of Sand Verbena mixed with Dune Evening Primrose on the north side of the road. Also look for Lupine, Brown-Eyed Primroses, and Spanish Needles. With the weather we have had, and the warmer weather still to come, there should be more flowers coming.

Walking around Palm Canyon Campground and up the Palm Canyon Trail look for Chicory, Brown-Eyed Primroses, Popcorn Flowers, Desert Dandelion, Wishbone, Chuparosa, Brittlebush, Cheese bush, Phacelia, Wishbone, and Desert Lavender blooming. Arroyo Salado has Desert Lilies starting to pop up. In Hawk Canyon look for Sunflowers, Desert Lavender, Brown- Eyed Primrose, Verbena, Popcorn Flowers, Brittle Bush ,Desert Lilies, and Creosote.

The south end of the park near Mountain Palm Springs and Bow Willow has come into bloom with Desert Daisies, Thick-Leafed Groundcherry, Datura, Brown-Eyed Primroses,Purple Mat, and Fishhook and Barrel Cactuses already blooming.

Feb. 23, 2009 Mel reports: Photo taken while riding my quad at Ocotillo Wells in sandy washes near Homes campground on 2-22-09.. more can be seen on any sandy wash near Ocotillo wells or San Felipe wash.

Feb. 22, 2009 Jack reports: We just returned from a weekend at Anza Borrego. The wildflowers are blooming at the lower elevations (80 meter elevation South of Ocatillo Wells on the Elephant Tree Trail) with a good variety of species. Higher up in elevation (200 meter elevation at Henderson Canyon Road) there are many plants in bud but very few blooms. It looks promising in a couple of weeks. There are still a lot of blooms on the Wild Apricots in Plum Canyon and they are definitely worth the short walk up the canyon!

Feb. 21, 2009 3dPete reports: I traveled S2 through the south half of Anza Borrego Feb 20 2009. The higher elevation areas around Blair Valley are very green and should be great at the end of the season. Parts of Blair had standing water from the last rain. Going south through Butterfield looks green but still too early. It gets spotty near Agua Caliente and a few isolated patches greening up in Carrizo wash with just a few Verbena and Desert Lilies starting to bloom. Everything south of Carrizo looks extremely dry.

Feb. 21, 2009 Park reports: The latest storms brings our rainfall total to over four inches of rain this year so far and more is possible next weekend. The gentle, soaking rain along with excellent timing has brought plenty of foliage that now promises at good to excellent bloom in the near future.

We are seeing a few flowers already, but the best of the bloom will most likely be from the last week of February through the first two weeks of March. As of right now we expect an early and relatively short season for the annuals. Sand verbena are blossoming along Henderson Canyon Road and we are seeing many desert lilly plants in the badland that are just starting to bloom. Plum Canyon has flowering desert apricot. Shrubs like brittlebush and chuparosa are starting to bloom and the ocotillo look very healthy and are showing some flowers. The fishhook cactus has some flowers but many more species will bloom when it gets warmer. If we get more rain, the bloom will be better and last longer.

Feb. 16, 2009 Frank reports: The rain started a few minutes after twelve noon and lasted until just about dark. it was a very gentle rain that only added up to a total of .09" but still very nice. The sun would pop out at times and it would look like the rain was over but then in a few minutes it would be cloudy and raining again. Now, at 8:30pm, all the stars are out but the NWS says we could still get some thunderstorms. Our season (starting July 1) total is now 4.34". On my hike Saturday I noticed that the sand verbena is already blooming along Vallicito Wash.

Feb. 16, 2009 Gigi reports: Just got back from Anza-Borego Springs Park. Took these all the way at the end of Coyote Canyon. Scattered patches of blooms everywhere, they're just beginning to bloom.

Feb. 11, 2009 DUSA reports: Some wildflowers at the entrance of Coyote Canyon and the eastern part of Henderson canyon road, most area are just beginning to flower. Need another two weeks. Here are some photos of what we saw.

Feb. 10, 2009 The Parks reports: The latest storms brings our rainfall total to over four inches of rain this year so far and more is possible next weekend. The gentle, soaking rain along with excellent timing has brought plenty of foliage that now promises at good to excellent bloom in the near future.

We are seeing a few flowers already, but the best of the bloom will most likely be from the last week of February through the first two weeks of March. As of right now we expect an early and relatively short season for the annuals. Sand verbena are blossoming along Henderson Canyon Road and we are seeing many desert lilly plants in the badland that are just starting to bloom. Plum Canyon has flowering desert apricot. Shrubs like brittlebush and chuparosa are starting to bloom and the ocotillo look very healthy and are showing some flowers. The fishhook cactus has some flowers but many more species will bloom when it gets warmer. If we get more rain, the bloom will be better and last longer.

Feb. 8, 2009 DUSA reports: Rain over the weekend added about a 1/4 inch to the totals, and more on the way.

Feb. 4, 2009 The Parks reports: We have had just under 3.5 inches of rain this year but the timing has been good. We are seeing plenty of foliage that promises at least a fair to good bloom in the near future.

We are seeing a few blooms already, but expect many more by the end of February or early March. As of right now we expect an early and relatively short season for the annuals. Shrubs like brittlebush and chuparosa are starting to bloom and the ocotillo look very healthy and are showing some flowers. The fishhook cactus has some flowers but many more species will bloom when it gets warmer. If we get more rain, the bloom will be better and last longer. By February 10th we hope to have a better idea of the conditions and will offer an estimate of when we expect the bloom to peak.