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Brenham/Navasota/Chappell Hill/Industry/Independence 4/6-9/2006 Started by tony_texas at 04-09-2006 10:15 PM. Topic has 10 replies. WildflowerHaven... » Texas Wildflowe... » East Texas » Brenham/Navasota/Chappell Hill/Industry/Independence 4/6-9/2006 Hunting Texas Wildflowers - New Book!

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04-09-2006, 10:15 PM tony_texas Joined on 01-03-2006 Posts 70 Brenham/Navasota/Chappell Hill/Industry/Independence 4/6-9/2006 First an intro as this is my first post. I’m a Brit living in Fort Worth for the past 4 years.  First Texas wildflower experience was the Marble Falls farmhouse in 2003 (nearly crashed the car!) and I now make an annual weekend pilgrimage south in April.  Photography's the main hobby but I just enjoy the beauty and solitude weaving my way through the backroads of this part of Texas.  A good photo is a bonus. Been corresponding with Rich O a little and bought his great book.  I've gleaned so much useful info from this site that I thought I'd do a comprehensive photo survey of the above areas to show what they look like NOW.  Written this post within hours of returning to assist those who may want to get out there before it's all over. Note photos are of the documentary type, no great artwork.  I shoot film for the "real" photos (“dinosaur” I hear you cry) but these were the snapshots taken with my Canon G6.  Spent the last 4 days covering 867 miles in this area and I’m exhausted but exhilarated. On with the reports although I will let the pictures do the talking.  All have road names on them and are in folders according to general area. Navasota FM-362 has many beautiful sites with bluebonnet fields going all the way to the horizon.  FM-2988 could well have the biggest and most dense bluebonnet field I saw on the whole trip.  The large field in front of the church at White Hall is very pretty - nice mix of flowers. Pictures are here: http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareLanding.jsp?shareCode=AE831B2C0B0&cb=PW&cp=ems_shr_dpr_25pr_ps2 Hempstead Travelled Laneview Rd, very little to see.  FM-1736 to HWY 6 had very little. William Penn / Independence Not too spectacular.  Some nice sights on Bluff Lane, FM-1935.  Nearly got eaten alive by a pack of dogs when looking at the old house at the FM-390 bend. Pictures are here: http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareLanding.jsp?shareCode=AF10AF1C0B0&cb=PW&cp=ems_shr_dpr_25pr_ps2 Chappell Hill Some large bluebonnet fields on FM-1155 approach.  Some pictures from between here and Industry: Pictures are here: http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareLanding.jsp?shareCode=AEBBBF1C0B0&cb=PW&cp=ems_shr_dpr_25pr_ps2 Brenham West Primrose dominant.  Mt Vernon house + field a sorry sight compared to 2004. Lunch at the Southern Flyer at the airport - I think it was Bill who alerted me to that place.  Great atmosphere! Pictures are here: http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareLanding.jsp?shareCode=AEA8DC2C0B0&cb=PW&cp=ems_shr_dpr_25pr_ps2 Brenham East (South of 105) Very sparse compared to my previous experience here in 2004. Pictures are here: http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareLanding.jsp?shareCode=AE8C802C0B0&cb=PW&cp=ems_shr_dpr_25pr_ps2 Bellville Very sparse.  Great lunch at The Hill though!  Another all-American diner - I think I have a weakness for these. Industry / Bleiblerville Rich wasn’t kidding about this area!  Wonderful variety of flowers and lots of bluebonnets in and around Bleiblerville.  Highlights for me were: Star Hill Rd.  Big wildflower panaromas.  Could well be the best road I travelled the whole journey.  One vista after another. Cherokee Rose Lane (take Maeckel Rd off FM-2502).  Very large mixed field with significant paintbrush population (unusual this year).  Old house in background to add interest to photos. All along FM-2502 New Bremen Rd, closest to 159. Pictures are here: http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareLanding.jsp?shareCode=AF3FD72C0B0&cb=PW&cp=ems_shr_dpr_25pr_ps2 Summary This was a great trip, much better than 2005 when I visited the same area although nothing like 2004.  Things in general were starting to look a little “tired” and if you want to see any of the sights in the photos I wouldn’t wait too long.  Peak right now I would suggest. Hope you all enjoy this and can make use of the info. Regards Tony    Report

04-09-2006, 10:28 PM Bill Purcell Joined on 06-29-2005 Posts 74 Re: Brenham/Navasota/Chappell Hill/Industry/Independence 6-9/4/2006 Hi Tony/all, Since we've already got a thread going, I won't create another ... here's my extended update for Washington/Grimes/Austin Counties, including many areas Tony already mentioned. I toured the area Sunday for what will probably be the final time this season, and found pretty much what I'd expected - some really good locations, some not so good. -- The Wm. Penn/Independence/Navasota area - which was first to bloom - is now rapidly fading, and grasses are quickly overtaking the wildflowers.  However, Whitehall in Grimes County has some amazing fields on FM 362 and FM 2988. -- I explored more of the Industry area and was somewhat disappointed not to find any more really outstanding fields than those I'd already seen.  As you get further to the south and southwest of town, they become more sparse, proably due to the rainfall gradient across the region. -- The best viewing right now is in a diamond-shaped area immediately south of Brenham.  This area is roughly bounded by FM 389, FM 2502, FM 2754, and Hwy. 36, and includes Nelsonville, Bleiblerville, and Wehdem.  For a spectacular drive, take New Wehdem Rd. (paved) west from FM 2754 ... continue straight on Emshof Rd. (gravel), and shortly after you see the Washington County sign, you can take Shirttail Rd. (a quick jaunt) west to FM 109.  You'll see field after field of mixed flowers - it's amazing, and should hold up for at least another week.  There are still some blooms emerging along FM 2502, so the show's now over yet. -- In the Independence area, there's one *very* notable exception to the general downward trend.  Along Mertins Creek Ln., there are brilliant red flowers - poppies, I think, but I'm not sure.  I can't find them in my "Wildflowers of Texas" book (Ajilvsgi).  Along this lane is the only place I've ever seen them, and I don't know how long they'll last. I've added images 18-23 to my existing wildflower image page - I welcome your comments, especially if you can ID those red flowers. Take care, Bill. http://imageevent.com/mpurcell/txwf2006    Report

04-10-2006, 5:52 AM RichO Joined on 02-15-2005 San Antonio, TX Posts 934 Tony and Bill Just a short thank you for your reports. I am heading out the door for my second visit to the area. I am printing both of your reports, before I go. Thank you for taking the time to post what you have found.   RichO Hunting Texas Wildflowers    Report

04-10-2006, 7:29 AM tropicdiver Joined on 04-09-2006 Austin, Texas Posts 7 Re: Tony and Bill Thanks to everyone for their helpful posts at this site. I have Friday off and am driving down to the Industry / Bleiblerville area to give my camera a workout. I'm hoping something more will be happening (not very optimisic, tho) in Hill Country at the end of April, as I'll be spending three days down there doing nothing but wandering the backroads between Llano and Fredericksburg. Bob Phillips Life is short. Break some rules. Bob Phillips    Report

04-10-2006, 12:15 PM gregner Joined on 03-28-2006 Posts 65 Re: Brenham/Navasota/Chappell Hill/Industry/Independence 4/6-9/2006 I'll add my two cents from my visit to the Brenham/Industry area on Sunday.  First of all it was a perfect day, sunny, mild and light wind.  Bluebonnets that began blooming early are on the decline, however, but the ones that started blooming a bit later are at peak now.   I visited the same areas for the most part a week earlier and since then I noticed some marked differences.  First, most of the yellow groundsel is gone, and the baby blues-eyes around Industry are gone for the most part as well.  I suspect a lack of rain.  New this week are an abundance of pink evening primrose and bright lemon yellow dandelions.  Herbertia are also very common just north of Industry.  Look for pale blue sprinkled on short grassy fields. Some areas of note: Hwy 36 south of Brenham just north of Sempronius Rd; a huge unfenced field of bluebonnets. Everyone and their dog was there taking pictures of children, pets and even brides in the flowers.  This is one of the largest fields of dense bluebonnets I have seen. Another good area to see a large unfenced field of bluebonnets is the intersection of FM 2502 and 2754. Other good routes to follow include: New Bremen and Tieman Rd east of Industry, and New Wehdem road south of Brenham, Hwy 109 south from Brenham to Industry. Field near Sempronius Rd FM 2502 at FM 2754 Tieman Rd Dandelions      Report

04-14-2006, 8:05 AM Anonymous Re: Brenham/Navasota/Chappell Hill/Industry/Independence 4/6-9/2006 WOW Thank you for sharing your pictures and experience. I've browsed this website yearly to decide when to come up with the family from Houston, and have NEVER seen such a comprehensive and beautifully photographed review as yours. Thank you again! JessPars@swbell.net

04-15-2006, 12:03 PM tony_texas Joined on 01-03-2006 Posts 70 Re: Brenham/Navasota/Chappell Hill/Industry/Independence 4/6-9/2006 I'm so glad you enjoyed the review.  I tried to be very specific in the locations to help people decide on spots they might like to visit.  I was a little hesitant about doing this as, like Bill Purcell said in another post, the joy is in the discovery!  There's nothing like wandering down a road you've seen no reports from and finding wildflower heaven. I'll post a link to my more "serious" photos in a week or two. Tony    Report

04-17-2006, 10:31 AM country_lilchicky_09 Joined on 04-17-2006 Posts 1 Re: Brenham/Navasota/Chappell Hill/Industry/Independence 4/6-9/2006 Hi my name is Ebonye and I live in palestine texas.I am doing a project for biology and i cant seem to get lucky so i need some help. I am asked to do a project which requires finding Trees and wildflowers that are blooming this time of the year.I dont know where to find them or where to look please help me.It is due before May 23rd and today is April 17 th                                                           Sincerly.country _lilchicky in need THANK YOU  PLEASE REPLY WITH PICTURES AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE WILDFLOWERS AND TREES LOVE ALWAYS                 Ebonye Note: I have edited and removed personal information from this email. Please respond via message here or PM.      Report

04-17-2006, 1:33 PM RichO Joined on 02-15-2005 San Antonio, TX Posts 934 Ebonye... Palestine is known for its dogwood trees, but I think it might be late to catch them blooming. I did a quick check via google and found this web page: http://www.palestinechamber.org/attractions.asp There are a few spots on that list that I would try if I wanted to find wildflowers and trees in the Palestine area: Fox Meadows Nature Conservatory Elmwood Gardens Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area Davey Dogwood Park Texas State Railroad RichO Hunting Texas Wildflowers    Report

03-13-2007, 8:54 PM tony_texas Joined on 01-03-2006 Posts 70 Photos from this trip 1 year ago Well, it took me a year, but finally here are some pix from my trip last year which was the initial reason for this post.  Grand scenics were not the order of the day so I focused on close-ups.  2006 Pictures Password: april06 Enjoy Tony PS.  I will be in Brenham again from April 3rd - 8th.  If any of you are in the area drop me a line.    Report

03-14-2007, 6:39 PM RichO Joined on 02-15-2005 San Antonio, TX Posts 934 Re: Photos from this trip 1 year ago Thanks Tony, We always appreciate the input...no matter when you can post it. Knowing what an area what like last year can help to narrow the hunt this year.   RichO Hunting Texas Wildflowers    Report

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