Super Bloom 2023 - Petal Predictions

[DeathValleyDazed]

This is a suggested thread to post updates to the possibility of a "Super Bloom" in Death Valley 2023. Keeping my stamens and stigmas crossed. 

Here's one site to keep an eye on. Please post others and your personal observations.
https://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca_dv.html

[jesportland]

"We are looking for an average to above average bloom this spring, need more rain."

That's how I see it. I don't remember much about the flowers in the sixties/seventies but since we have been coming every latter March since 2010, outside of the 2016 superbloom, only 2010-2012 saw much flowers on the valley floor. Up in some canyons like Titus and Marble, yes. So we return in March 20th or so and hoping for just a normal bloom. Superbloom too crowded and more yahoo behaviors.

[DeathValleyDazed]

Superbloom too crowded and more yahoo behaviors.

I was lucky to experience the 2016 Super Bloom and sadly to capture some of that "yahoo behavior" at the conclusion of this short video. After realizing I had captured illegal activity by this woman visitor I immediately informed the party that this was a violation and asked them to desist. The gentleman spoke English and thanked me for bringing this to their awareness. Not in the video but I've several times called drone pilots to task in DEVA and other national parks. 

[MojaveGeek]

I was out during the superbloom and what I remember the most is coming back from a day's walk with pants yellow up to the knees with pollen. Pretty amazing. But I've seen good desert gold off 190 north of FC before, one year it was just as good. The first time I took my wife to DV we were driving that stretch and I saw a few blooms here and there and said "Looks like a decent year for the desert gold". She thought I was being sarcastic She's a desert rat now and knows the score.

BTW, the purple plant is a phacelia (notch leaf I think) - it is very common along road sides, a lot of it on the mud canyon road to Hells Gate for example. It can cause contact dermatitis - meaning don't touch it, or at least touch it gently until you confirm you won't react.

Yeah, I don't need to super bloom, though it's nice to see a few gravel shots and desert five spots from time to time!