Monday, March 19, 2012

Widgets

Texas Bluebonnets Are Here!!

As beloved as Texas BBQ & cowboy hats, the Texas Bluebonnet is a welcome site each Spring to native Texans.  Why?  Because as far back as they can remember, their mommas & daddies were propping them up in a field of these beauties each spring to take pictures.  I remember it.  And have the pictures to prove it!
Adopted in 1901 as our state flower, the bluebonnet shares that title with 5 other bluebonnet species.  Never the less, many recognize this gorgeous flower as unique to Texas.  And protect it as it is an endangered species.  I grew up all my life being told to "never pick a bluebonnet. It's against the law!"
Well, that is completely false according to the Texas Department of Public Safety, although they do warn against illegal trespassing on someone else's property to take a picture.

And this past last week, as we were galavanting all over Texas, we were amazed at all the bluebonnets showing their pretty little faces so soon this Spring.  And of course, I being a true Texan Momma, made me kids get out and take pictures.
It takes some trial and error (thank you digital cameras), but we were able to capture some pretty ones!

We took our pictures out in the Hill Country, near Kingsland off of Hwy 1431, but here are a few patches that have been discovered closer to Austin:

- Round Rock: Hwy 79 off of Old Settlers Blvd - a nice patch is starting to grow there
- Austin: Barton Springs Rd & Mopac
- Hwy 71 on the way out to LaGrange
- Austin: Howard Lane between Mopac & Parmer - a nice hill for pictures
- Cedar Park: Brushy Creek Lake Park off of Parmer

There are lots of great sites dedicated to finding bluebonnet patches. Click here to visit a website for Texas Bluebonnet Sightings in Central Texas. And Jessica from Suitcases & Sippycups posted about where to find them in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Free Fun in Austin put together this awesome Interactive Google Map to find bluebonnet patches and add them!

So get the kids, load up the car and take that annual picture!

10 comments:

Macey said...

Those are so pretty! I love the pics of your kiddos in the field. :)

Trooper Thorn said...

Not to mention the Bluebonnet Bowl, last played in 1987.

Liz Mays said...

OH my word, those are gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

Impulsive Addict said...

Love Bluebonnet pics! They are so pretty.

Mrs. Match said...

wow, we don't have those around here. So pretty!

Connie said...

Beautiful!!

Bluebonnets must be more plentiful than Colorado's state flower.

*law prohibits digging or uprooting the flower on public lands and limits the gathering of buds, blossoms and stems to 25 in one day. It is unlawful to pick the columbine on private land without consent of the land owner.*

Heidi said...

You always take the very best photos! Such vibrant colors.

Candice said...

I'm one of those moms that just has to take photos! I'm planning on taking my son sometime this week...if the Austin weather holds up :)

By the way, I have a giveaway going on for a free facial in Austin. Jill, who has 10 years experience in Hollywood, has recently moved from LA to Austin. I had a facial with her and it was amazing! Since it's a local giveaway...entries are low so your chances are high! Feel free to check it out. After all it's a free facial :)

http://www.wherenothinggoodcomeseasy.com/2012/03/austin-tx-just-jill-cosmetics-review.html

Shawn said...

Unbelievable pictures! You have such talent...teach me please!

Sabrina said...

They are beautiful! I've seen a few of them at the side of the road, but never this many.