The Bakersfield Voice

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 Although we are technically, still in a drought, we got just enough rain at just the right time to create an almost perfect storm of wildflowers. 

Sunday I went to east of Arvin on Bear Mtn. Blvd.  There were dozens of other cars pulled off to the side to see the glorious display.  

After a few dozen shots there I left and went west back to Highway 99.  I headed south to the Maricopa-Highway 166 exit and headed west again.  You quickly pass Interstate 5 and exactly 9.5 miles farther you come to the Wind Wolves Preserve entrance on the left.  (If you are coming from the Southwest, just take Old River to 166 turn right and it's 1.2 miles)  The Preserve is free to enter and open 8-5PM Saturdays and Sundays only.  I took a few hundred photos inside the Preserve.

Let me assure you that the flowers are just getting warmed up and have many weeks of bloom left in them.

I expected there to be a lot of people there as I had seen at least two local newscast regarding this place.  I got there at 2PM and encountered less than a dozen cars.

Just past the entrance is a wildflower trail that leads directly into a sea of purple Lilly's.  I drove on (with plans to shoot the "sea of purple" on the way out) and figured I would start by parking at the end of the road where there is a hiking trail head.  There is only about 2 miles of road so it doesn't take long to get to the end of the road.  From there it is an easy walk/hike on quite a few trails available. There were only moderate hills and even my 60 year old body managed easily.  Don't forget to grab a map on your way in.

There are picnic tables, a pond and campsites.  Restrooms are also available at trail head.

I recommend you get out there and see one of Mother Nature's greatest shows, before it leaves town.  Laurie and I are going out there again next weekend so maybe we'll see you there.

Here's a slide show of the photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/doug_kessler/sets/72157615323754897/show/

Here is the preserve website:

http://www.wildlandsconservancy.org/twc_preserve_wind_wolves.html