Jessica and I have been spending all of our days out in the field– April is a big month for blooms in the Mojave. As sensitive plant monitoring interns, we are able to explore all corners of the field office, from populations right off Route 66 to populations far off routes of any kind. This is a big desert, and I’m consistently in awe of its vastness and diversity.

Most days, we get to the office just to grab keys, check directions, and head out. We find the right dirt road (usually easier said than done), get where we need to be, and walk the desert looking for rare plants. Temperatures are starting to crawl towards their summer peaks, and we usually eat lunch in the sliver of shade cast by the truck or the lacy shade of a big creosote. Simple pleasures.

Our most recent finds have included more Senna covesii, a huge population of Psorothamnus fremontii var. attenuatus, and Eriastrum harwoodii. Last week, we were able to visit the Cadiz Dunes, which was my first ever dune experience. It made me feel SMALL.

Happy trails,