Bloom of the Century in California's Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Deserts in San Diego County have been unusually filled with blooming wildflowers due to unseasonal rains.
The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest nature preserve in California.
Rainfall totals by March 3 have reached 6.53 inches which crossed the park's average yearly rainfall of 5.32 inches.
Majority of these flowers are only seen during late winter and early spring. But this time they have bloomed earlier, just during fall and winter.
Currently visitors can spot multiple varieties such as sand verbena, evening primrose, desert sunflower, Bigelow's monkeyflower, blazing star, bristly gilia, and chinchweed along with others.
It is highly recommended to avoid picking the flowers, and staying on the trails while making yourself known to other hikers you encounter.
Plucking flowers means denying a chance to plant seeds causing lesser blooming wildflowers next season.
The desert wildflowers have offered a sense of brightness and relief during dark times like the pandemic.
Recent rains are helping desert cottontails, jackrabbits, coyotes, bighorn sheep, and vegetation.
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