Natural History Wanderings

Wild about Texas Wildflowers has the following new reports

us 90 alt east side of sequin 2014-04-18:
at the outpatient care facility. huge dense field of yellow 65% red paintbrush 30% and immature bluebonnet 5%

 us 90 alt east of gondolas 2014-04-18:
large expansive views of indian paint brush. not much west of gonzalas until seguin.

Follow reports at:  Submit or Search Texas Wildflower Sightings.

Wildflower Haven has the following new report:

Ennis – A few above average areas

If you take away the top 3 or 4 above average spots, you really have little left in Ennis this season.  Generally what I saw repeated over and over were a few dense stretches and larger fields dusted or lightly striped with bluebonnets.  I would find hillsides and slopes with fairly dense coverage but the valleys and lower parts of hills without any plants.  Other fields would have 80-90% coverage but the density was really low. The plants in those fields look thin and underdeveloped. All of the blooms I saw were at peak with few remaining cone tops.  What some might have thought were young blooms are actually small thin underdeveloped plants. I have seen this scenario once or twice before.  My working theory is that many areas got too much rain in the fall, so only well drained spots developed any plants.  In more places where plants did develop they did not grow into large healthy plants due to well below normal rainfall in January and February.  Areas like Mach RD and the field on FM-85 were fields that drain well and yet also benefited from run off rainfall from roads.  Even on Mach RD in the famous field, you see coverage mainly on the ridges and not in the valleys between the ridges.  The field across the road slopes nearly 100% without many ridges. so it got nearly 100% coverage and continued to benefit from the run off from the road.

All that said, the following below were my top spots.  All the rest of the routes had a few dense patches, stretches and yards, but not much else.

1. Mach RD:  The “famous side” is not as good as 2012, but it is a close second. The “other side” is a very nice spot with promise of a sunset shot possible.  Down Mach RD to FM-85 there were other nice spots with some interesting views.

2. FM-85 field just east of the Mach RD intersection:  You will drive right by this field because most of it is hidden by mounds of asphalt material.  Pull in and check behind the mounds and you will find a really nice field with a valley and a ridge. On the ridge is a barn like structure. The field has some small mesquite trees.

3. Union Hill RD:  Several small fields along this route and the field (50-60% covered) with the longhorns.  The rest of the route is below average and a few regular spots sub par.

4. Andrews RD: Well below 2012 or 2013, but parts of it were dense.  The only good news there was that the b**d cabbage had not completely overcome the east facing slopes.

5. FM-813: Nice hillside field not too far east of Neck RD that was 70-80 covered with bluebonnets with some trees.

6. FM-1182:  Saw a few nice stretches and fields that were not always close enough to the road.

**Neck RD – Mr Bluebonnet place.  I heard from a couple that the white fenced property along Neck RD was open to visitors if they are polite and ask first.

I have a few other gems I will share when I get time to process photos.

The routes below were either below average or even sub par:

1. FM-1129, FM-1603

2. FM-1181, Cody RD, Lone Oak RD

3. FM-879, FM-660

4. Sugar Ridge RD: Not the worst I have seen it but well below average.  More people than bluebonnets to sit them in to get that photo in the bluebonnets. The “special” boat landing field across from the open field had virtually no bluebonnets.  The paintbrush field at the other end of that property drew lots of people, but it was below average.  Nothing along Sugar Ridge RD compelled me to stop and take a photo.

Honorable Mention – If only it had… – Valek and Hornik RD both had good coverage in spots but once again the plants were small and thin and density was lower than in previous years.  Just a bit more density and there would have been some very lovely views.

Best part of the trip for me was getting the strong scent of bluebonnets along Mach RD and the longhorn shots. Also had a chance to meet with some folks and that too was a great plus for me.

If you live close to Ennis, go and visit the top spots; however, unless you were already planning a trip there don’t make the extra effort for the few top spots.

See older reports at: Wildflower Haven