South Texas/Hill Country Input Please.

[Debbi]

In all of the years I have lived in Texas (my entire life) and all of the years I have done photography, I have never taken a trip in the Spring to specifically search out bluebonnets. After the yuk of the last year and a half, I want to do just that. It would be a weekend trip, probably Easter weekend (4/3-4). I would love suggestions for the biggest bang for the buck, so to speak. Normally by now, they have started blooming in south Texas, towards the hill country. I haven't been able to find any stats on this year's crop. I have been keeping a close eye on WildflowerHaven Community but it's not really saying anything yet.

I would love suggestions. TIA!

[Imagebuffet]

Yeah, so would I.

[PEC]

i too have been looking for info - had some family in the Bangor region about a week ago - no wildflowers were seen yet...

[Nocturnus]

I've been seeing wildflowers blooming here around Austin already..

[Debbi]

Thanks, Ed. That's what I'm looking for. What's blooming where - I really don't want someones secret spot. I'm guessing it will be a stellar year in the DFW area for bonnets with all of the rain/snow we've had but I want a different topography.

[Nocturnus]

I've been seeing along the highways here. I can let you know more after the weekend. I'm doing a little camping trip and will be a little further out of Austin, so I will check some of the country roads off the main highways.

[Debbi]

Thanks again! I really do appreciate it.

[toverman]

This link is from the TX Dept. of Transportation, and is supposedly updated around this time of year to reflect what's happening along the roads: Texas Department Of Transportation Wildflower Report. If it's happening along the roads, conditions are right other places, too.

Another almost sure thing: www.wildflower.org.

[PEC]

based on Todd's post i searched and found this detailed update:

Hill Country Pre-Season Report: Mason to Llano to Willow City Loop - WildflowerHaven Community

[birdwatcher48]

Debbi, my family used to go to Eagle Lake, TX it is on the edge of the hill country. I will have to look it up to remember exactly where, but it was always "the place" to go in Spring to look at bluebonnets, indian paintbrush, etc. Heaps of it there. This year may be a bit slower because of last years drought, then all the cold and rain. But it is gorgeous there, also, on hwy 71 from Columbus TX to LaGrange and onward towards Austin area was always a bunch when I was growing up,...hope this helps!

[jeffkohn]

From what I've read over at Wildflower Haven, the Hill Country should have an excellent wildflower turnout this year. Easter weekend may be a bit early though, at least for peak blooms. Speculation is that the following week is when things should really start to peak over there.

The Brenham area and surrounding counties are usually a bit ahead of the Hill Country. We drove to Austin ban back late last week, and it's still too early. We saw some scattered patches of paintbrush and bluebonnets, but the blooms were still pretty immature. I'm thinking by Easter weekend the Brenham area should be blooming nicely, with the Hill Country following a week or two behind.

We've already made plans to camp at Inks Lake on Easter Weekend, I'll probably treat that as a scouting trip and return the following weekend as well. After that I may head up to the Ennis area, as I've never been up there for the spring wildflowers.

[dlanter]

The wife & I are headed out in the morning for the Fredricksburg area mainly using the smaller back roads. I'm fairly sure we are too early for much of a wildflower display, but I'll let you know what we find. Will be back online Sunday.

[Debbi]

Thanks, Michele. I do appreciate the info.

Thanks, Jeff. I was afraid it might be too early, given the cooler temps this year. Bonnets can be picky. We are actually looking at going to the Brenham area but may wait until the last weekend of April. I hope that wouldn't be too late as the two middle weekends are already booked. Let us know if you head north. I'm afraid their scheduled festival may be too early for North Texas given all of the snow and much cooler temps this year. Nonetheless, I've been meaning to get over that way for bonnets as well.

Let us know, Dan!

[Debbi]

Originally Posted by toverman

This link is from the TX Dept. of Transportation, and is supposedly updated around this time of year to reflect what's happening along the roads: Texas Department Of Transportation Wildflower Report. If it's happening along the roads, conditions are right other places, too.

Another almost sure thing: www.wildflower.org.

Hey, Todd! I so missed your post. Thank you for the great links!

[Murph]

See here: http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...uebonnets.html

I shot these today on Hwys 90 and 183 near Gonzales and Shiner. I think the Bluebonnets will be better in a week or so, but there are many good patches now. It looks to be a nice year for flowers.