Along a trail that we frequently use for our walks, Alex and I found an astonishingly large patch of Climbing Milkweed. We must have walked past it plenty of times – only now that a lot of the vegetation is brown and in its summer dormancy, the small flower clusters and the deep, muted green of the vine was more noticable. We spent an overcast morning there photographing them, earlier in the month.
Flower & Plant
Palomar Mountain Loop Hike
Alex and I went for a Saturday morning loop hike at Palomar Mountain. We hiked at Palomar Mountain many times but rarely do so in the actual State Park because dogs aren’t allowed on the trails there. This time we left Toni at home to check out a loop hike in Palomar Mountain State Park that Alex had found through Scott Turner, the co-author of “Afoot & Afield in San Diego County”.
Flowers in 2018
Some wildflower photos from spring 2018 that I made our recent walks and hikes in and around the greater San Diego area.
Flower Hills
Two photos from a docent-led hike at the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, near Fallbrook. These hills looked incredibly beautiful but on the overcast morning before the fog lifted, they looked a bit dull. I developed these photos with a high-key look to bring out the beauty. I hope I succeeded! 🙂
Woollyleaf Ceanothus
Woollyleaf Ceanothus or Ceanothus tomentosus is the prettiest sight here in Southern California in the chaparral shrublands in spring. Its blue color is so vivid, the inflorescence so delicate, and the smell so good!
Carrizo Plain in March (19 photos)
When we visited Carrizo Plain at the end of March, the wildflower bloom was probably one week before its peak, and it was already incredible to see the sheer amount of wildflowers.
Torrey Pines Wildflower Season
In mid March, the trails at Torrey Pines are seamed with wildflowers, thanks to plenty of winter rains. We took a walk in the late afternoon, first on the Guy Fleming Trail, then on the Parry’s Grove Trail. My photos below will give you a good impression of what the trails look like during this time of the year.
A first glimpse at the 2017 wildflowers in Anza Borrego
Last weekend we drove down to Borrego Springs to see how the wildflowers in the desert are doing this year. For weeks, people have been talking about a potential “super bloom” in Anza Borrego Desert State Park, since it was a very wet winter and the last storm at the end of February alone brought up to 1.5 inches (~40mm) of rain to the desert.
Dos Coyotes
Two coyotes in morning light at Lake Hodges. I also liked the soft colors in the landscape as it reawakens with first signs of fresh green after some winter rains.
