lost_but_found

hey guys,
i just took a few wild flower pictures this weekend. i know what bluebonnets, iris, spider lillies, indian paintbrush, clovers and buttercups are, but there are a few that i don't know.

check out my site and leave a comment on the ones you know, pretty please!!

http://brett.cmdx.com

thanks for the help!!
brett

Shannon

Brett, great photos of a wonderful variety of species -- good job! I posted several comments. I'm not an ace wildflower identifier, but when I get stumped there are some wonderful Texas wildflowers guide books available. I personally use one called "Texas Wildflowers" by Campbell and Lynn Loughmiller; I've had my copy since the mid-80s when it was purchased for a (middle) school project. I've not yet found another guide that provides the same combination of recognizable photos and relevant information about each species as this one.

__________________
- Shannon Moore
Your Host @ WildTexas.com

Purchases in the Wild Texas Gear Shop support our continued operation. Thank you!

lost_but_found

Thanks Shannon!

You identified all the ones I didn't know. Thanks.

BTW, I believe the ruby colored ones are clover. I may be mistaken, but am fairly sure they are.

kai

Brett... wow. Thanks for asking for help. Although I don't know much about wildflowers, it gave me a chance to force myself to learn some new things, and that is very much appreciated. And it made me realize that I need to get out...now....

Photo #17- are those lovebugs? I was on the Mississippi coast last year and they were everywhere. Being from the North, I'd never seen them before. If those are them, are they only in the Texas coastal areas, or do they make it inland?

Shannon

There are still amazing stands of wildflowers around. I just spent about four hours this morning taking wildflower photos -- the bluebonnets are now past their peak, meaning they're starting to fade and get "blemishes" on their petals. However, the Indian blanket, spiderwort (in areas that stay relatively damp), coreopsis and various daisy varieties, among others, are all doing quite well. I even saw my first "fiddleneck" (purple, with a curled flowerstalk like the neck of a fiddle/violin) today.

If you want a very short but nice wildflower appreciation trip, and can drive it when the traffic's not too bad (or when the school zone's in effect so you can appreciate the flowers while driving 20mph), then take Hwy 1604 from the Huebner exit and follow Huebner until it meets Bitters Rd. The small medians along this short stretch of roadway are a literal explosion of wildflowers. I didn't stop to take photos along this stretch yet, but there are several wildflower species I don't think I've ever photographed.

__________________
- Shannon Moore
Your Host @ WildTexas.com

Purchases in the Wild Texas Gear Shop support our continued operation. Thank you!

lost_but_found

You are very welcome! Thank you for taking the time to look at my pictures and give me some info. Picture #17 is a picture of love bugs, among many other bugs. I don't really know a whole lot about them, and I honestly can't stand them. I grew up in a small town about 1.5hrs north of Houston and they are more abundant there than they are here in Houston. They are quite bothersome in my opinion.

I just thought it would funny to take a humorous picture for my girlfriend and and title it Love is in the Air. It made her laugh.

Again, thank you for taking time to look at my pictures!

Shannon

Brett,

While looking at your wildflower shots, I also popped in to check out the Bandelier trip photos -- awesome place, it looks like. I was curious about what type of camera bag you're using -- it looks like it works well for folks wearing a backpack, and keeps the camera easily accessible (kangaroo pouch style). It looks large enough to hold a high end SLR and reasonable size zoom (though not our 300mm f4.0 L lens); if nothing else, I could use it to hold my binoculars and stick to my existing camera bag (Lowe Pro Orion -- holds SLR with the 300mm lens and a smaller lens, as well as batteries, filters, etc.)

Always looking for gear that makes life a little easier when I'm out on the trail, even though I don't get into the backcountry like you do.

PS: How long was the Bandelier trip? Just trying to get a feel, based on the types of tents and such I saw you all had with you.

__________________
- Shannon Moore
Your Host @ WildTexas.com

Purchases in the Wild Texas Gear Shop support our continued operation. Thank you!