Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Spring in Texas…

field of Indian Paintbrush

There is no time better than to be in Texas than in the spring in our opinion. paintbrush and bluebonnetsWhen the last of the geese are heading north and the night air shifts from the sounds of honking geese heading north to the sounds of crickets chirping in the warmer evening air everyone here knows spring is in the air.

In the Bryan/College Station, Texas the first signs of spring are when you  see the Daffodils and Paper White Narcissus blooming followed by the flowering pears and redbud trees. All of this is just a sneak preview of the explosion of wildflowers that are just around the corner. As long as there is a good rainy winter you can expect the wildflowers in Texas to be very showy.

paintbrush and bluebonnetsfield of bluebonnetsAs is the case this year… After a lengthy Texas drought last year most areas are now in a surplus mode of rainfall for this year. As a result the wildflowers are started to explode onto the scene. The fields are dotted with the red of the Indian Paintbrush only to be interspersed with the blue Texas Bluebonnets – the Texas State Flower and the yellow Coreopsis.

bluebonnets among post oaks

Driving back from Austin, Texas this past weekend we were treated to field after phlox and bluebonnetsfield of wildflowers. We would occasionally stop and take in the sights, sounds and smells that spring has brought to this area. We love spotting the variety of flowers that are emerging mixed in with the paintbrush and bluebonnets. There are Mexican Blankets, Phlox, Verbena’s, and other native flowers that are just now coming into their own.

bluebonnetsYet there are also invasives that always threaten the native species that abound. This year the bastard mustard is everywhere and found in thick stands. I worry that this taller wildflower or weed as it should be called (a weed is an “unwanted wildflower”) is abundant this year and I only hope it is a result of the drought combined with the wet winter that allowed it to explode. Hopefully it will not take out any of the more desirable wildflowers.

If you ever come to Texas to visit try to make sure to do so in the spring… by far and away the very best time of the year to visit the great Lone Star State…

25 comments:

  1. Spring in the Texas Hill Country is unforgettable for sure!

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  2. Talk about giving me SPRING FEVER!!!

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    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com

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  3. Beautiful pics...will keep spring in Texas in mind.

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  4. This is the first time in three years we aren't in Texas, and they have a gorgeous showing. Thanks for sharing those awesome photos. Enjoy your day! ~wheresweaver

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    1. yes it felt weird as we left last march and it was green and we came back to green, but we know it was brown in between..

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  5. Yes such beautiful fields of wild flowers, we did enjoy them so much.

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  6. Glorious color!!! Spring has definitely sprung in Texas!

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  7. Spectacular! We're headed in that direction shortly. Hope they wait for us :)

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  8. What gorgeous flowers! I have trouble identifying many of them... can you suggest a good field guide? (I use Newcomb's and also Peterson's Guide to Southwestern & Texas Wildflowers)... and still can't seem to come up with a positive ID.

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    1. try this one http://www.amazon.com/Wildflowers-Texas-Geyata-Ajilvsgi/dp/0940672731/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

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  9. Thanks for the photos. Makes me kinda homesick for Brenham . . .

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  10. Looks wonderful! Is there any place where Spring isn't outstanding?

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  11. Heyduke these are gorgeous pictures. I have SO wanted to be in Texas for the spring. We were there last year but everything was just burned dry. Guess I'll have to keep trying. Thanks for the look at this year's beauty.

    Sherry
    www.directionofourdreams.blogspot.com

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    1. yes you came here in the worst time in the last 35 years... should be better next time :)

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  12. Unfortunate about the mustard. There is a pretty bad stand of that at my parents house - our next stop. Something tells me I will be working roundup and a hoe.

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  13. Fabulous photos. You just can't have too many photos of the spring flowers in Texas and this is a great year for them. The weather has been so beautiful and there is nothing prettier than a field full of bluebonnets.

    http://travelinglongdogs.blogspot.com

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  14. Wow! What a beautiful sight. Thanks for sharing!

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