Anza Borrego Super Bloom

The Anza Borrego Desert in San Diego County is experiencing a super bloom this spring.  It is the biggest wildflower bloom in some 20 years, thanks to the consistent rains we've had this winter.  Yesterday, Gail and I headed out early and spent the day hiking around a couple of areas, Coyote Canyon, and Henderson Canyon.  I will attempt to name the plants where I can.

Desert Sand Verbena (magenta) and Dune Primrose.

Desert Dandelion

 Desert Lily

 Desert Primrose

 Desert Chicory (white)

 Arizona Lupine (purple spike)

 Gail surrounded by Parish's Poppies

 We read that when the White-lined Sphinx  caterpillars arrive, they can decimate 100's of acres of wildflowers in a couple days.  Looks like they are arriving!

Desert Five-spot (pink globe)

 Parish's Poppy

Beavertail Cactus 

 Ocotillo (almost ready to bloom red tubular flowers)

 Purple Mat

 Common Phacelia (purple), Desert Chicory (white), Desert Dandelion (yellow)

 Barrel Cactus

 Teddybear Cholla

 Chupparosa

 Fritillary Butterfly

 Heading up into Henderson Canyon

 Pair of Gambel's Quail

 Apricot Mallow

 Gail checks out a small cave

 Desert texture

Apricot Mallow

This stink bug sized beetle was zooming around the ground, barely stopping.  It is an Inflated Beetle (Cysteodemus armatus)