Natural History Wanderings

Texas Wildflower and Bluebonnet Sightings Report : Texas Wildflower Hot Spots and Pictures by Gary Regner Photography reports on Feb. 26, 2016

First Signs of Spring Some rain finally fell over much of Texas this past week which was badly needed to ensure a good wildflower display this year. Trees are already blooming including redbuds and mountain laurels, as well as non-native species. I even spotted several early blooming bluebonnets on one of my morning walks. With warmer than normal temperatures, peak wildflowers could be early this year.

Texas Wildflower Haven had the following reports

2/25/2016  Field Report:Poteet Stockdale, New Berlin
Routes Covered: FM-2490, Texas 16, Jett Rd, Texas 97, Texas 123, FM-1681, FM-467, Church RD, Sweet Home RD.

Thursday, I took a quick look-see tour of some of the key spots in the South Texas (South and East of San Antonio).  Overall, the area still looks like it is in winter slumber, but also there was evidence of green here and there.  The only wildflowers I saw in bloom were some spots of yellow groundsel and phlox.  I saw some long patches of phlox, several yards of phlox and a few partially covered small fields.  The phlox that I saw were definitely early bloomers, but still fairly impressive for a late February showing. I think with some more rain and warming temps in March the phlox displays could be very impressive.  Of particular note was the small field next to Sweet Home Baptist Church along Sweet Home RD.  And along FM-467 near Olmos there were the usual yards and fields with large areas of phlox.  I would think that sometime after March 15th to April 1st, the phlox will be at its peak but might even last longer.

Bluebonnet Rosettes:  I got out and inspected spots along Jett RD, Texas 16 and FM-1681.  I saw bluebonnet rosettes at all of those locations, but they are still very small and not easily spotted. So no large bushed up plants in any of the fields I inspected. What is needed now again is more rain and warming temps as we get into mid-March and beyond.  Sandyland bluebonnets which are the primary variety of bluebonnets in the areas south and east of San Antonio are usually not as easy to spot in their early stages. In some years I have driven by a field that I thought was devoid of bluebonnet plants only to find the field covered with bluebonnet blue a couple weeks later.

So overall I was encouraged that there are plants out there and pleased to see some wildflowers in bloom.  I was also pleased to not see a dramatic widespread early flowering of wildflowers.  So what I saw was what I would expect to see at the end of February.

2/22/16, I made a quick trip to Sandy, Tx on FM 1323.  At the old Sandy schoolhouse, there are many, many bluebonnet rosettes.  Looks like it will be a good showing especially after the rain last night.