Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Visiting the Bluebonnets - Better Late than Never


We usually visit Texas in the winter for the holidays, but having missed the spring wildflower show for the past 18 years, I thought it was time to see it again. Luckily Parker's spring break in California timed well with the flowers this year. 

I'd been feeling like a poor excuse for a Texan mom because I had never gotten a photo of my child sitting in the bluebonnets. So now was our chance.

As soon as we left the airport, the roadsides were full of bloom. I immediately made Jay pull over so we could explore.

B Show 24

B Show 1

B Show 2

B Show 3

B Show 5


We saw Coreopsis, Indian Paintbrush, some kind of cool thistle thing, and Verbenas. I'm afraid I didn't learn my botanical latin until moving to California so you'll have to put up with common names on these Texas wildflowers. 

B Show 6B Show 9
B Show 8B Show 7


The pink buttercups were lovely - Oenothera speciosa, I think. And every now and then we would find a very light blue or white bluebonnet. (Lupinus texensis - I do at least know that latin name.)

B Show 15B Show 14B Show 16
B Show 17

As a youngster I had never noticed the amazing smell of walking through a field of bluebonnets. It's quite delicious.

B Show 28

B Show 18

B Show 19

B Show 20

B Show 21

B Show 24


Mission accomplished. I've now fulfilled my duty as a Texan mom.
We tried to get Parker to do the Longhorn symbol with his hand but it ended up being the "hang loose" symbol — California boy through and through.

B Show 13

B Show 27


Hopefully we'll visit Texas again during the bluebonnet bloom. Maybe someday for a photo of the grandkids? Or maybe just to walk through that delicious scent again.