Usually April isn’t a particularly wet month in Southern California. Normal April rainfall at Downtown Los Angeles (USC) runs less than one inch — 0.91 inch by 1981-2010 standards.
Wednesday night into Thursday the third rainstorm of the month produced 0.49 inch of rain at Downtown Los Angeles. This increased April’s rainfall total to 1.71 inches and the Los Angeles water year total to 8.68 inches. That puts us at about 60% of normal rainfall for the water year.
The photograph is from a spectacular trail run yesterday afternoon at Ahmanson Ranch, about 25 miles WNW of Downtown.
The problem with mustard is that it is prolific. It out-competes native annuals, and native and non-native grasses. In oak grasslands this can produce brush conditions that should a fire occur, it is likely to kill more trees.
A heavy growth of mustard was probably a factor in the death of the valley oak pictured above. It was burned in the 2005 Topanga Fire.
From this afternoon’s run at Ahmanson Ranch.
The bright yellow flower above is bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida). A fire follower, it’s blooming extensively in the recovering chaparral along the Gabrielino Trail between Red Box and Switzer Picnic area.
March snow and rain seem to have helped this Spring’s wildflower bloom. Since March 1 the Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) at nearby Clear Creek has recorded 6.5 inches of rain and NWS data shows Opids Camp has recorded 6.64 inches of rain. More rain and snow is forecast in the mountains this week.
Here are a few additional wildflower photos from this morning’s run in the Station Fire burn area:
Baby Blue Eyes
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Chaparral Clematis
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Wavy-leaved Paintbrush
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Photography and inspiration from running and other adventures in the Open Space and Wilderness areas of California, and beyond. No ads. All content, including photography, is Copyright © 2006-2024 Gary Valle. All Rights Reserved.
