Posted on 03/28/2009 12:58:00 PM PDT by BenLurkin
Officials at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster are in for a respite from recent high winds, hopefully resulting in open poppies and plenty of visitors this weekend. The reserve, at 15101 Lancaster Road, about 12 miles west of the Antelope Valley Freeway, opened March 14 and is slated to remain open through May.
"Our numbers of visitors vary dramatically with the weather," said Jean Rhyne, interpretive specialist at the reserve. "When it's windy we get only a few people, but if it's beautiful weather we get crowds. And the crowds are steadily increasing."
Rhyne is hopeful that this weekend's weather forecast is for temperatures in the mid- to upper 70s and wind only up to six miles per hour.
"We recommend that people go to our Web site (visit www.parks.ca.gov, click on 'Visit a Park' and choose 'Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve') and check our local weather," Rhyne said. "It's a long drive out here, and if the wind is really blowing, the poppies will be curled up and there won't be many poppies to see."
Rhyne said even if the poppies are curled, there are plenty of goldfields at the reserve, along with lacy phacelia and plenty of filaree, plus a few cream cups and Mojave sun cups.
"We haven't seen any owl's clover yet," Rhyne said. "The filaree is out there in great numbers. The hills were purple from the filaree before they had their yellow and orange."
There are numerous other wildflowers at the reserve, but most visitors come to see the poppies, she said.
"There are many flowers yet to bloom, so it shows good promise," Rhyne said. "But it might peak earlier this year because the season started a bit early. We'll just have to wait and see."
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
"COLORFUL BLOOMS - Fields of wildflowers and California Golden Poppies are dotting the landscape on the west side of the Antelope Valley. Good weather in the forecast this weekend could mean large crowds at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve west of Lancaster. " RON SIDDLE/Valley Press
It should be an above average year.
Kegs Of Beer And Torches!
Good promise, indeed.
Along the Lower Colorado River this week, I saw (blooming): desert primrose, birdcage evening primrose, Mexican gold poppy, desert chicory, Esteve's pincushion, desert marigold, globemallow, Coulter's lupine, scorpionweed (phacelia), Ajo lily, and brittlebush abloom everywhere.
Quite a scene.
Bring allergy medication.
Excellent!
These are NOT true poppies. Papaver is the family of true poppies. These are Eschelotzia Californica.
I like both california poppies and the other sorts.
We try to plant red poppies every year, to remember veterans.
Ya know ...
“In Flanders field the poppies grown, among white crosses, row on row ...”
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