The wildflowers are in full bloom at the George R. Bones Wildlife Sanctuary in the Antelope Valley, which is one of 16 wildlife sanctuaries owned and operated by Los Angeles County.

Olivia Miseroy of the L.A. County Parks and Recreation reported a variety of wildflowers are in full bloom.

Among the wildflowers currently in bloom are purple lacy phacelia and yellow desert dandelions or California gold fields.

“We currently have counted at least 18 varieties of wildflowers blooming in the sanctuary this year,” said Miseroy. “It’s not what we would call a superbloom but it is still impressive.”

Miseroy said a wildfire burned through the sanctuary in August 2020. Most of the shrubs and larger plants were consumed in the fire giving the wildflowers, especailly the lacy phacelia less competition for water and sunlight.

“The lacy phacelia have really taken off and are much bigger than we’ve seen in the past,” she said.

Miseroy said the sanctuary provides important resources for mule deer, mountain lions, bobcats, badgers, coyotes and other smaller animals in the area.

The sanctuary also attracts birds like Western meadowlarks, cactus wrens, lark sparrows and prairie falcons.

Do not trample flowers and walk carefully on established paths when visiting the sanctuary. Bring water and wear sunscreen. Watch out for rattlesnakes hiding under plants and flowers. Picking flowers is prohibited.

George R. Bones Wildlife Sanctuary, commonly known as Desert Pines Sanctuary, is a small, 99-acre reserve in the far northwest of Los Angeles County. This beautiful sanctuary is located on the edge of the Mojave Desert, immediately north of the Liebre Mountains and several miles west of the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. Its distinctive gray pines, Joshua Trees and diverse flora make this a beautiful and untouched natural wonder. it opened in 1967.

George R. Bones Wildlife Sanctuary
Intersection West Avenue G & 205th Street West, Antelope Valley Freeway, Quartz Hill, CA 93536. It may require travel on a dirt road to access the sanctuary.

For more information visit Bones Wildlife Sanctuary.