Serving Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, and the Greater Wilshire neighborhoods of Los Angeles since 2011.

Spring Flowers Follow Rains

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, Sunday, February 28
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, Sunday, February 28

It’s too soon to know for certain if the winter rains we’ve had so far will produce an abundance of spring flowers, but there are some promising signs. On a recent drive to northern California, the timing was perfect to see almond trees in various stages of bloom. It was quite literally snowing white flowers for miles.

Almond trees blooming along Interstate 5, Friday, February 26, 2016
Almond trees blooming along Interstate 5, Friday, February 26, 2016

Lush green hillsides filled the historic Pacheco Pass in the western San Joaquin Valley even though the nearby San Luis reservoir was only at 43% capacity. It’s stunning to see the water level almost 100 feet below where it once stood.

Green hillsides in the Pacheco Pass
Green hillsides in the Pacheco Pass
San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area where the water level is 43% of its capacity, almost 100 feet below the original water line.
San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area where the water level is 43% of its capacity, almost 100 feet below the original water line.

On the return trip south, a detour to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve offered a sneak peak at which might be expected in the next few weeks. Only a few hardy poppies were starting to bloom. According to the official website, they are “expecting a moderate bloom this year; picking up in time for our visitor center opening on March 5th. It is still too early to determine bloom peak time or how long the season will last.”

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, Sunday, February 28, 2016
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, Sunday, February 28, 2016

Though it’s still early for many wildflowers, the landscape is quite spectacular with its various shades of green and grey, all of which will soon fade to brown when summer arrives.

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve hillside February 28, 2016
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve hillside February 28, 2016

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Patricia Lombard
Patricia Lombard
Patricia Lombard is the publisher of the Larchmont Buzz. Patty lives with her family in Fremont Place. She has been active in neighborhood issues since moving here in 1989. Her pictorial history, "Larchmont" for Arcadia Press is available at Chevalier's Books.

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Calendar

Latest Articles

.printfriendly { padding: 0 0 60px 50px; }