Natural History Wanderings

Gary Regner Photography reports on March 22, 2015  Poteet/Somerset area south and east of San Antonio,TX

Spent another day exploring south and east of San Antonio. Best area by far was west of Poteet. FM 476, FM 1333, and FM 2504. Best route was FM 476 between Jct FM 2504 and Somerset. This area has literally miles and miles of fields of sandyland bluebonnets in full bloom that appear at peak now. Also mixed in was magenta phlox, groundsel, paintbrush and prickly poppies. The area around Floresville looked worse than earlier in the week, not sure if it was due to recent heavy rains or if the flowers are already on the decline. Passed through Seguin and travelled FM 467 south to FM 539 to Floresville, some wildflowers here and there and some fields but nothing great. Then travelled FM 536 west to US 281 south, then FM 1470 west to Poteet. Things get really nice around Poteet and to the west.

> FM 476 west to FM 1333: some nice fields of Sandyland bluebonnets, mixed flowers – Rating 3-4

> FM 1333 south to TX 173: again some nice fields of bluebonnets, and mixed flowers including magenta phlox, groundsel – Rating 3-4

> TX 173 from FM 1333 to FM 2504: not much to see – Rating 1-2

> FM 2504 north to FM 476: some areas with wildflowers in fields, better to the north – Rating 2-3

> FM 476 north to Somerset: Best area I’ve seen so far this spring. Miles of fields of Sandyland bluebonnets; also paintbrush, phlox, groundsel and prickly poppies but not as abundant as the bluebonnets. Almost as good as 2010. – Rating 4-5

> IH 35 between Lytle and Moore: some good coverage in fields of bluebonnets and mixed flowers, not as good as 2010. Hard to tell if it will get better. Groundsel was already going to seed. – Rating 3-4

see older posts at  Texas Wildflower and Bluebonnet Sightings Report : Texas Wildflower Hot Spots and Pictures by Gary Regner Photography.