21 Feb 2023: Anza-Borrego Wildflowers

Posted on February 21, 2023March 16, 2023 by jrwilkinson

With the unusually wet winter in Southern California, the potential for an extra-special bloom of wildflowers in our local deserts is high. Wanting to try my Nikkor 105mm Macro lens, we spent a few days camping in Borrego Springs in Anza-Borrego State Park.
This is my first trip specifically to view wildflowers and I have no frame of reference to know how much is normal. But there were large patches, particularly of desert verbena, in several areas. Our main drive was on Di Giorgio Road till it ends into Coyote Canyon. We drove another mile up the dirt road before turning around. This area was very windy and the flowers were moving quite a bit. A fast shuttle speed was needed and I waited till there was a lull in the wind before pressing the trigger. Here are some of my favorites:

Free or Cheap State Park Passes

Posted on February 14, 2023February 14, 2023 by jrwilkinson

Getting into state park is getting more expensive but if you plan ahead, you can get in for free.

California State Parks Library Pass Free – A new pilot collaboration between State Parks and California State Libraries will provide free passes to every public library throughout the state. Library patrons can check these out and use them for free vehicle day-use access to parks across the state.
If you don’t have a library card, visit your local library to get one. The library card and park pass are free! In partnership with the First Partner’s Office and the California State Library, State Parks is providing free vehicle day-use entry to over 200 participating state park units operated by State Parks for check out to library-card holders. The California State Library Parks Pass is valid for entry of one passenger vehicle with capacity of nine people or less or one highway licensed motorcycle.
California State Parks Adventure Pass Free – This new pass provides free entry for fourth graders and their families at 19 select state parks throughout the state.
California State Parks Limited Use Golden Bear Pass $20 – not quite free but cheap & valid for one year, this pass is for individuals 62 years or older and provides the pass holder and their spouse/domestic partner with free entry to many state parks during non-peak season (excludes Memorial Day till Labor Day – so get a library pass).

Carlsbad Flower Fields are in bloom! Apr 16th - Canon Photography Workshop: try out Canon cameras and lenses free with Flower Fields Admission

2023 Superbloom?

Posted on February 14, 2023February 14, 2023 by jrwilkinson

This winter has been particularly rainy in California and Western USA. But did it happen too early in the season to create conditions necessary for a ‘superbloom’ event. The are websites watching and logging visits to Anza-Borrego and Death Valley, monitoring bloom events. Here are some of their links:

Anza-Borrego Wild Flowers Status Weblinks:

Borrego Blooms dot org: https://www.abdnha.org/pages/03flora/reports/current.htm
DesertUSA – https://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca_abdsp.html

Death Valley

Nation Parks Service – https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/nature/wildflower-seasons.htm
DesertUSA – https://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca_dv.html
Roveme – https://rove.me/to/death-valley/super-bloom