A few wildflowers here and there are something you do get to see in Death Valley and on most years but it's not very often you get to see them in what is known as, a "superbloom". And, while this year isn't being elevated to that higher level, the heavy rains they've been getting this winter, has allow the flowers to grow abundantly and to the point where they're carpeting the landscape in beautiful shades of yellow, purple, pink and white. Essentially, pretty close to it or at least in my opinion. Needless to say, Cindy and I decided this was something we had to see and as luck would have it, our good friends Tony and Steph were available to join us on an impromptu run to do just that.
Here's a shot of us soon after meeting up at the old Crowbar Saloon.
According to the Death Valley National Park website, some of the best showing of flowers were on the south end of the valley and sure enough, we came across some nice blooms right off the road near the west end of Jubilee Pass.
While still beautiful, I will have to say that the strong winds that were blowing through the valley on this day did make the sky grayish with dust and of course, made it difficult to take good pics of the Desert Gold flowers here being that they were blowing around so much.
The Pink Sand Verbena nearby was not only pretty to look at but smelled incredible too.
Driving just a bit further into the valley, we made a stop at the old Ashford Mill site as this was a site where the blooms are typically really strong every year.
As before, most of what was in bloom here was Desert Gold.
However, we were lucky enough to come across more than a few, Desert Five Spots here as well.
Driving north on Badwater Road, it didn't take long before we just had to stop again and to enjoy the golden valley floor.
The hardest part about walking through the flowers was trying not to step on all the fat and juicy, green with black striped Sphinx Moth Caterpillars crawling around everywhere.
Munch munch munch!
Continuing our way north, there was just so much to see and in spite of the dust making it seem as if it were foggy in the distance.
Making yet another stop as there was a strong showing of dark purple flowers in the area.
A closer look would reveal that these purple flowers were none other than Phacelia Calthifolia.
On the move again and closer to Badwater Basin, we could see that the valley floor was full of water and was once again, Lake Manley.
While this is a rare event, I have to say that over the last few years, it's been a lot more common to see than not. Of course, we just had to stop and give the waters a closer look.
And, how could we resist not going in for a walk in the water.
Strolling up the shoreline, the beach started to look like snow on the surface.
Walking further out into the water.
Hard to believe how crystal clear the water was.
Shot of Steph and Cindy.
Back on shore, I started to feel like I was getting taller and this is the reason why.
#wayalife #deathvalley #wildflowers #lakemanley
Here's a shot of us soon after meeting up at the old Crowbar Saloon.
According to the Death Valley National Park website, some of the best showing of flowers were on the south end of the valley and sure enough, we came across some nice blooms right off the road near the west end of Jubilee Pass.
While still beautiful, I will have to say that the strong winds that were blowing through the valley on this day did make the sky grayish with dust and of course, made it difficult to take good pics of the Desert Gold flowers here being that they were blowing around so much.
The Pink Sand Verbena nearby was not only pretty to look at but smelled incredible too.
Driving just a bit further into the valley, we made a stop at the old Ashford Mill site as this was a site where the blooms are typically really strong every year.
As before, most of what was in bloom here was Desert Gold.
However, we were lucky enough to come across more than a few, Desert Five Spots here as well.
Driving north on Badwater Road, it didn't take long before we just had to stop again and to enjoy the golden valley floor.
The hardest part about walking through the flowers was trying not to step on all the fat and juicy, green with black striped Sphinx Moth Caterpillars crawling around everywhere.
Munch munch munch!
Continuing our way north, there was just so much to see and in spite of the dust making it seem as if it were foggy in the distance.
Making yet another stop as there was a strong showing of dark purple flowers in the area.
A closer look would reveal that these purple flowers were none other than Phacelia Calthifolia.
On the move again and closer to Badwater Basin, we could see that the valley floor was full of water and was once again, Lake Manley.
While this is a rare event, I have to say that over the last few years, it's been a lot more common to see than not. Of course, we just had to stop and give the waters a closer look.
And, how could we resist not going in for a walk in the water.
Strolling up the shoreline, the beach started to look like snow on the surface.
Walking further out into the water.
Hard to believe how crystal clear the water was.
Shot of Steph and Cindy.
Back on shore, I started to feel like I was getting taller and this is the reason why.
#wayalife #deathvalley #wildflowers #lakemanley
