Fishhook Cactus

Ron Niebrugge Anza-Borrego, California, Photos, Travel Leave a Comment

Fishhook Cactus

Fishhook Cactus

Since I don’t photograph during my workshop, I just grabbed this quick image with my phone.  Along with the desert lilies, the fishhook cactus are blooming like no year I have seen!  Especially on the Cactus Loop Trail near the Tamarack Campground.  Ocotillos are looking great as well.
 

Desert Lily

Ron Niebrugge Anza-Borrego, California, Photos, Travel 2 Comments

Ladybug on a Desert Lily, Anza-Borrego State Park, California.

Ladybug on a Desert Lily, Anza-Borrego State Park, California.

There is a lot of green in Anza-Borrego this year, but wildflowers are running late this year.  If anything, good years are usually early, like they were last year and in 2005.  However, there is an incredible number of Desert Lilies!  Way more then I have ever seen even in 2005.  Out Coyote Canyon there are hundred if not thousands!  I have seen them through out the Park, but especially in Coyote.  This has to be one of the most beautiful desert wildflowers.

The other plant doing really well is the Chuparosa – very bright red versions can be found in many washes.  More wildflowers are on the way, next couple of weeks should be good.

Anna’s Nest

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Anna's Hummingbird nest, Borrego Springs, California.

Anna’s Hummingbird nest, Borrego Springs, California.

Had the pleasure of watching 3 separate hummingbird nests yesterday – this Anna’s, a Costa’s and a third one in our campsite.  The first two I had the benefit of a retire college professor to help with the id, but I’m not sure on the third nest.

Desert Wildflower Outlook – 2016

Ron Niebrugge Anza-Borrego, Arizona, Photos, Travel 9 Comments

A photo from 2015, maybe the best wildflower year in Anza-Borrego in about 10 years.

A photo from 2015, this may have been the best wildflower year in Anza-Borrego in about 10 years.

Thanks to one of the largest El Nino’s maybe ever, I don’t think the anticipation for a big desert wildflower bloom has been bigger. I have been getting numerous emails asking about conditions so I thought I would share my observations and thoughts.

I have been visiting desert areas like Anza-Borrego since I was a child, and for the last 10 years have spent at least a month every winter in the Anza-Borrego desert.  We have already arrived and spent a number of days camping in Borrego after traveling across the Southern half of Arizona.  I might add, this is at least two weeks earlier then most years, so my point of reference is a bit off.

But, in general, things are looking good, especially as you move North. Many of the storms this winter have stayed north of Southern California, and have hit the Sierras very hard.  Because of this, Death Valley is looking very good.  In fact, there are already wildflowers showing in good numbers in Death Valley.

Arizona

It was a bit early to see much when we passed through Arizona, but in areas there was green beginning to show.  In other areas, there really wasn’t much showing at all.  This isn’t unusual, even in a good year, some areas end up being much better than others.  There were areas along Highway 8 about 100 miles from California that were incredibly lush, showing lots of potential.  It is still early, but looks encouraging.  It is certainly worth watching.

Anza-Borrego

Unfortunately most of the storms missed this Southern Californian desert known for its wildflower blooms, that is until early January.  In early January, this area received a staggering 2.5 inches of rain.  The rain came over a number of days allowing for a good soaking.  It was enough for the writer of the nature column in the local paper to write “We should have a marvelous – perhaps miraculous – spring bloom”.  Hal the Hawk Guy, who leads a Wednesday bird walk I try to join whenever in town thought the area needed one more rain for a good year – just such a rain, he pointed out, is forecast for this weekend.

My observations?  I must admit at being disappointed in the lack of plant life as we we rolled into town last weekend.  However, I think that is largely because I am here a couple of weeks earlier than normal.  Over the last couple of days as I have gone on a few trail runs, I have noticed a profusion of small sprouts emerging, particularly closer to the mountains.  I know it is early, but I would say at this point things are looking pretty good, and another rain or two could do wonders.  I might add, the TV weather people have been mentioning that Arizona and Southern California should still see plenty of rain over the next couple of months, a time frame in which these areas typically receive precipitation during an El Nino.

So stay tuned for further updates here as the season progresses.

 

Anza-Borrego Photo Workshop

Ron Niebrugge Anza-Borrego, California, Photos, Travel 2 Comments

Desert wildflowers in Anza-Borrego on February 26th, 2015.

Desert wildflowers in Anza-Borrego on February 26, 2015.

For many years now I have offered two photography workshops each spring in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.   This year I will be in Antarctica in March and I will only be able to offer 1 workshop this spring.  With all the reporting of a huge El Nino, this upcoming year could be epic – maybe the strongest El Nino ever!  The photo above was taken on the same dates as the workshop this past spring which was a bit above average for desert wildflowers – I haven’t seen a really good year since 2005, this year could be really exciting!

Space is limited and this workshop historically has filled quickly so you don’t want to wait on this one.   Between a potentially awesome wildflower year and the fact I am only offering 1 workshop I expect this to fill quickly.

I call this a workshop since there will be much more of an emphasis on teaching as compared to my tours.  In fact, unless something amazing happens, I won’t be taking any photos myself, I’ll just be there to help, teach and answer questions

The dates for this upcoming workshop are February 26-27, 2016.  Note this is a Friday and Saturday.  For more information on the workshop, go to Anza-Borrego photography workshop.

Sonoran Desert

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Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

I spent the month of March split between two extreme environments – the Sonoran Desert of Anza-Borrego, and the Alaskan Arctic well north of the Arctic Circle.  Both places beautiful in there own way.  This image was near the end our our trip down south, shortly before photographing the amazing aurora in Alaska.  Such variety sure keeps the creative photography  juices flowing!  By the way, this would be a bad place to wear flip flops.  🙂

Cactus Sunrise

Ron Niebrugge Anza-Borrego, California, Photos, Travel Leave a Comment

Anza-Borrego from earlier this week.

Anza-Borrego from earlier this week.

I’m posting from the Phoenix Airport waiting for my flight back to Alaska.  It was a great six weeks in the desert.

I’m only home for two very busy days – we have a unusually large back-load of prints to prepare and ship during these two days – not sure why the increase, but no complaints!  And thanks for your patience!

Then I’m off to the Arctic to co-lead an Aurora photo tour with Hugh Rose.  Should be a great trip!  I know most of the guests, and it will be a fun group.

Glorietta Canyon

Ron Niebrugge Anza-Borrego, California, Photos, Travel 2 Comments

Chuparosa in Glorietta Canyon, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Arizona.

Chuparosa in Glorietta Canyon, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

This was about an hour ago.

Wrapped up another fun workshop yesterday without the challenges of the rain when had the previous weekend  After watching everyone else photograph, I was excited to get back out there this morning.

Here is my last update on the Anza-Borrego Desert wildflowers.  There are still pretty good patches along Henderson Canyon Road, but with temps nearing 90 degrees, lot of foot traffic and a few caterpillars, there best days do seem to be behind them.  There are lots of blooming cactus to be found in many areas – Glorietta Canyon is probably one of the more productive locations.  Otherwise, most of the other areas have now faded or been gobbled up by caterpillars.