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Video: See Death Valley Blanketed With Wildflowers During Rare 'Super Bloom'
Death Valley is in the midst of a "once-in-a-decade" natural phenomenon that has been unofficially referred to as a "super bloom:" thick blankets of vivid wildflowers are covering the normally dry, arid desert floor. Typically, Death Valley only gets about 2 inches of rain annually, but has seen an unusual amount of strong storms and flash floods, thanks to this season's El Nino. A statement from the National Parks Service says that, "the current flower display is the best the park has experienced in a decade."
In the video above, shot by James Cleveland, we see sweeping landscapes of Death Valley covered with more than 20 species of beautiful wildflowers, and it really does look breathtaking.
The YouTube comments are delightful, and informative, too.
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"The smell is intoxicating," writes Cleveland.
As one commenter noted, there's no music, but "the sounds of silence, tires crunching gravel and wind blowing through the desert" add to the relaxing, chill vibe of the video.
Don't let the haters get you down, Cleveland.
According to the Death Valley National Park Instagram, they're hoping the flowers will last for another few weeks, depending on rain.
And a reminder if you do go check out the Super Bloom for yourself: don't pick the flowers!
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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