October Field Notes from a Naturalist Campout Along the Proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink Route
By Lizbeth Bárcena
On the second naturalist campout along the proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink route, and farther east along the route, I enjoyed cliff views, technicolor rock lichen (I used a UV flashlight), elusive night creatures, sunshine, and fiesty gusts over the weekend.I was located east of Angelina Spring, in a thriving, diverse riparian zone, and where the rocky bajada drops dramatically into the wash, offering beautiful views of the canyon and the Angelina Spring Cultural Preserve.
I went for a hike around the bluff to conduct field observations and enjoy the views, and I stumbled upon many bedrock grinding features, morteros, and a hunting blind used by the Kumeyaay to hunt bighorn sheep. This area is rich in human history, and all the more reason why it is important to protect it today and for future human and non-human generations.
Thank you for caring for our desert!
Field Notes:
Dates: 10/2 – 10/4/2026
Location: East of Angelina Spring, Grapevine Canyon in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Weather: - 10/2, Clear and sunny. Temperatures reaching the upper-90s. Mild gusts. Clear night sky.
- 10/3, Clear and sunny. Temperatures ranged from mid-60s to upper 90s. Mild to strong gusts starting around 8 a.m. and stopping at sunset. Clear night sky. Milky Way visible by 7 p.m. First star/constellation observed: Lyra.
- 10/4, Clear and sunny sunrise. Temperatures ranged from mid-60s to upper 70s late morning.
Noted Biota:
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California Lyresnake (Trimorphodon lyrophanes) Rare Encounter!
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Desert Tarantula (Aphonopelma iodius) Rare Encounter! Will add that it was near the snake, too!
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Western Bees (Apis mellifera)
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Flesh Flies (Sarcophaga species)
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Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum)
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Harvester Ants (Veromessor pergandei)
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Aves
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American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
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California Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)
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Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata)
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Ravens (Corvus corax)ˆ
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Hummingbird (species unknown)
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Quail (heard from a distance, species unknown)
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Giant Hairy Scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis)- Desert Stink Beetles (Eleodes)
- Bats, species unknown
- Desert Trumpet (Erigonum inflatum)
- Beavertail Cactus (Opuntia basilaris)
- Creosote (Larrea tridentata)
- White Rhatany (Krameria bicolor)
- Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii)
- Cattle Saltbush (Atriplex polycarpa)
- California Juniper (Juniperus californica)
- Jojoba (Simmondsia chinesis)
- Cholla (Cylindropuntia ganderi ganderi)
- Honey Mesquite (Neltuma odorata)
- Arrow weed (Pluchea sericea)
- Mesquite Mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum)
- Catclaw Mesquite (Senegalia greggii)
- Frémont Cottonwood (Populus fremontii)
- Desert Wild Grapes (Vitis girdiana)
- Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
- Desert Agave (Agave deserti)
- Mojave Yucca (Yucca schidigera)
- Sugar Bush (Rhus ovata)
- White Sage (Salvia apiana)
- California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)
- California Jointfirs (Ephedra californica)
- Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa)
- Rock Lichen (types: Psora, Peltula, Collema)
So much life! So much at stake. All are welcome to join the next campout! Follow me on Instagram @desertdialogues, where you can message me if you’d like to join or have any questions. Stay connected with the ABF for future Powerlink updates.
Forthcoming dates for the Next Powerlink Route campouts:
- November 6-8, Yaqui Flats, among the Teddybear cholla forest
- December4-6, Yaqui Wells Primitive Camp (west end)
- January 8-10, Mescal Bajada/San Felipe Wash
- February 5-7, Nude Wash/Sunset Wash
- March 5-7, Off Kane Spring Road
Hope to see you there.
For Our Desert,
Lizbeth Bárcena
Borrego Springs, California
Listen to night sounds (volume up!) under the Milky Way in Angelina Spring, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: