Natural History Wanderings

Gary Regner Photography report on May 1, 2015

Firewheels are blooming in profusion all over central Texas. In many areas they are at peak, however, in some spots along the roads where they began to bloom early, they are already in decline. Coreopsis and horsemint plants were spotted, but have yet to bloom. Other wildflowers currently blooming include lazy daisies, Engelman daisies, bitterweed and greenthread. Prickly pear cacti should also be blooming very soon. Some especially good areas include:

> TX 29 between Buchanan Dam and Llano – Abundant firewheels, with some greenthread, bitterweed and Engelmann daisies that line the road and spill over into fields, many of which are heavily covered in wildflowers. Rating: 3-5

> TX 16 north of Llano – Firewheels, greenthread, and Engelmann daisies line the road and commonly spill over into fields, many of which are heavily covered in firewheels and lazy daisies. Rating: 4-5

> IH 35 north of Georgetown in Williamson county – Large fields can be seen from the highway that are completely red from firewheels.

See photos and older reports at  Texas Wildflower and Bluebonnet Sightings Report : Texas Wildflower Hot Spots and Pictures by Gary Regner Photography.