Natural History Wanderings

Texas Bluebonnet Sightings has a new report for March 6:

There are signs the 2014 Texas Bluebonnet season might be getting off to an early start. Let’s cross our fingers it doesn’t happen!

Corpus Christi has already reported various bluebonnet patches along I-37 north of downtown already in full bloom. They are on the smaller side but a welcome sight nonetheless.

There were, however, no additional blooms north of Corpus Christi to San Antonio along I-37 as of February 28, 2014.

There are reports there are blooms along I-10 in the median between Luling and Columbus — not any large fields but periodic blooming plants. This is typical for this area. It’s always one of the first to begin blooming in the state.

Saw a few blooms in the Texas Hill Country in Marble Falls and along FM 1431 just outside Marble Falls. No fields or large patches, mostly Mavericks here and there. Moisture is definitely needed in the Hill Country for the plants already on the ground to get plump and juicy. Everyone pray for precipitation!

Brenham has a nice bluebonnet patch blooming downtown. These bluebonnets are Townies and it’s typical for them to bloom first as they’re protected from temperature extremes unlike they’re Free-Rangers brethren out in the fields. Fields around Brenham have not begun to bloom as of March 4, 2014.

Ennis reports lots of bluebonnet plants on the ground waiting for temperatures to warm up and the sun to shine but no substantial blooming as of March 4, 2014.

As you’re making your plans for Bluebonnet Roadtrips this season, don’t forget the Bluebonnet Festivals that happen in the month of April. Unfortunately due to Easter falling on the third weekend of April, all Bluebonnet Festivals — Chappell Hill, Burnet, and Ennis — will be happening on the same weekend, April 12-13.

We know, we know, so many bluebonnets, so little time — so pick your festival and enjoy the heck out of it!

Stay tuned! We’ll post updates each week until the season gets rolling.

See older reports at:  2014 Texas Bluebonnet Season | Texas Bluebonnet Sightings.

Wildflower Haven adds:

Early report of bluebonnets in bloom north of Corpus near I-37 and I-69: “The bluebonnets cover the embankments along the northbound lanes of I-37 around MM12 and at the I-37/I-69 interchange, and they go a little north of there. ” –  Report comes Tracy Lehmann, Home and Garden Editor, San Antonio-Express News. Look for her article on Texas Wildflowers this Saturday, 3/8/2014.

via Bluebonnets in Bloom Near Corpus! – Houston and Gulf Coast.

Also the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center has a detail 2014 Wildflower Forecast  press release from March 6.