Flowers in Joshua Tree Still Blooming, Sept 28, 2025

I was back in Joshua Tree National Park on Sunday, September 28. Well, I was there on the evening of the 27th, as well, but mostly after dark, for astrophotography. Came back the next morning, for a better look at the flowers. The additional week has allowed the bloom to spread; while, last week, there was little on Park Blvd, this week had some pretty thick blooms west of the Pinto Wye.

I also had a bit of time to walk, so I parked at the Twin Tanks / Arch Rock trailhead, and took the California Riding and Hiking trail east and north, to Belle Campground. That's where I saw the best flowers, last week.

I also went briefly west on the California Riding and Hiking Trail from Twin Tanks. Good bloom that way, too. But less potential feature objects, like rock formations of Joshua tree, appeared that way, so I didn't go far.

After my brief hike (3.5 miles roundtrip), I drove out via Park Blvd and the west entrance. Some relatively thick patches of chinchweed near the Wye, ane scattered patches further west.

The previous night, I was at Ryan Mountain trailhead, trying to photograph Comet SWAN (2025R2). But I got there later than I wanted, and there were clouds along the western horizon. Took many photos, but no sign of a comet.

After I failed, I took some random shots, just because I was already out there. Took a quick shot of M51 (Whirlpool galaxy), as the clouds encroached. Wasn't well-centered, but by the time I could move it, the clouds completely covered it.

Also took some shots of M31. Not great, but just something to do, given I was already out there.

I had originally intended to go back early the next morning, to look for Comet Lemmon (2025A6). But my failure the night before discouraged and demotivated me, so I didn't get up early. In fact, because it was higher and rising higher towards dawn, the chances would have been better. I have been getting relatively more photos of Lemmon on my newsfeed than I have of SWAN. But I didn't feel it in the morning, and decided I'd just sleep in later, then look for flowers the next morning, which I did.