After a week of record rains…

…and being cooped up due to COVID-19, we made use of a sunny day to visit one of our favorite wildflower areas. 

Last spring everybody was talking about the “super-bloom”; how about this year?

Mataguay Rd off SR-79 near Lake Henshaw looked as good as every spring,Mataguay Rd off SR-79 near Lake Henshaw looked as good as every spring,

Mataguay Rd off SR-79 near Lake Henshaw looked as good as every spring,

but with more poppies than usual (Eschscholzia californica).but with more poppies than usual (Eschscholzia californica).

but with more poppies than usual (Eschscholzia californica).

The distant slopes were even more promising -The distant slopes were even more promising -

The distant slopes were even more promising –

so we walked in their direction so we walked in their direction

so we walked in their direction

and were not disappointed. and were not disappointed.

and were not disappointed.

They were in fact outright breathtaking,They were in fact outright breathtaking,

They were in fact outright breathtaking,

the closer the better,the closer the better,

the closer the better,

including a dry creek bed on the side.including a dry creek bed on the side.

including a dry creek bed on the side.

On the way back we took a final lookOn the way back we took a final look

On the way back we took a final look

at the overwhelming number and variety of flowers.at the overwhelming number and variety of flowers.

at the overwhelming number and variety of flowers.

We then continued towards Montezuma Valley and enjoyed the roadside displayWe then continued towards Montezuma Valley and enjoyed the roadside display

We then continued towards Montezuma Valley and enjoyed the roadside display

of Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)of Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)

of Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)

and the masses of Cream Cupsand the masses of Cream Cups

and the masses of Cream Cups

(Platystemon californicus).(Platystemon californicus).

(Platystemon californicus).

A familiar area in Ranchita did not offer anything new,A familiar area in Ranchita did not offer anything new,

A familiar area in Ranchita did not offer anything new,

but a carpet of Goldfields (Lasthenia gracilis vel aff.) but a carpet of Goldfields (Lasthenia gracilis vel aff.)

but a carpet of Goldfields (Lasthenia gracilis vel aff.)

with patches of contrasting color.with patches of contrasting color.

with patches of contrasting color.

What a break from the routine…What a break from the routine…

What a break from the routine…

Mataguay Rd off SR-79 near Lake Henshaw looked as good as every spring,

but with more poppies than usual (Eschscholzia californica).

The distant slopes were even more promising -

so we walked in their direction

and were not disappointed.

They were in fact outright breathtaking,

the closer the better,

including a dry creek bed on the side.

On the way back we took a final look

at the overwhelming number and variety of flowers.

We then continued towards Montezuma Valley and enjoyed the roadside display

of Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)

and the masses of Cream Cups

(Platystemon californicus).

A familiar area in Ranchita did not offer anything new,

but a carpet of Goldfields (Lasthenia gracilis vel aff.)

with patches of contrasting color.

What a break from the routine…

…enjoy it while it lasts.

Narration and photos by Jürgen Schrenk

Photo Album
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