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Re: 4/2 update - Waller, Grimes, Washington, Austin Counties
Started by Bill Purcell at 04-02-2007 9:32 AM. Topic has 2 replies.
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  04-02-2007, 9:32 AM
Bill Purcell is not online. Last active: 11/11/2008 5:06:49 PM Bill Purcell

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Joined on 06-29-2005
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4/2 update - Waller, Grimes, Washington, Austin Counties
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I began the day Sunday by checking some areas that I'd neglected thus far this spring. Copious rainfall both in the fall and spring has left Waller County almost bluebonnet-free; the flip-side, obviously, means that more moisture-tolerant flowers are showing up in abundance. You can see great yellow displays of Tickseed (coreopsis) driving north form Waller on Field Store Rd. to FM 1488, then continuing north on FM 1736 and Waller-Gladish Rd., eventually reaching FM 2979. I saw quite a few wine cups along 2979.

I took the quick jog to FM 362 and continued into Grimes County toward Whitehall. Overall, coverage there is below average, but there is one particular area on FM 362 that is spectacular ... between CR 329 and FM 2, there are several large fields emerging in bluebonnets, and you can see many hillsides full of blue as you look west from FM 362. They'll definitely be good through next weekend. Closer to Whitehall/Navasota, there was relatively little to see - there are fields along FM 2889 with mixed bluebonnets, paintbrush and primrose, but coverage is only fair.

In Washington County, the early-emerging fields near Independence and William Penn are rapidly being overtaken by grasses. Prime viewing (happily reported by many others!) remains along FM 2679, including Zibilski and Mount Vernon Roads. In Austin County, Phillipsburg Church Rd. has by far the most amazing sights you'll see (I also ran into Gary Regner here, and chatted for a while!). There are additional fields on the other side of Hwy 36. as well along Tegeler, Loop, New Wehdem, etc.; the fields along Cemetery Rd. off FM 2754 will still be good for another 7-10 days.

Saturday, I saw some significant flooding from the overnight storms in the West Mill Creek valley just north of Industry.  Much of the groundsel on FM 109 was submerged, and about 75 yards of Industry Road was under water and impassable near the intersection with Blue Hole Rd.

You can check out my latest batch of photos here: http://imageevent.com/mpurcell

Take care, Bill.


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  04-02-2007, 11:12 AM
RichO is not online. Last active: 4/22/2008 6:28:33 PM RichO

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Joined on 02-15-2005
San Antonio, TX
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Re: 4/2 update - Waller, Grimes, Washington, Austin Counties
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Thanks Bill for the update. Very nice work on the sunset and moonrise shots. Some of those fields look huge. 

For those who have not ventured to East Central Texas yet, where do you suggest they should go this week through April 15th?

 


RichO
Hunting Texas Wildflowers


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  04-02-2007, 11:51 AM
Bill Purcell is not online. Last active: 11/11/2008 5:06:49 PM Bill Purcell

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Joined on 06-29-2005
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Re: 4/2 update - Waller, Grimes, Washington, Austin Counties
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In addition to the locations listed above, the other two spots that come to mind for good displays during the next couple weeks are south/southeast of Industry along New Bremen and Shunka Roads.  Things are changing so quickly from week to week out there that my reports may be somewhat obsolete within 4-5 days after they're posted.

If I were making a trip on or before 4/10, I'd definitely want to hit the areas detailed above ... by the 15th and thereafter, it will likely be a completely different landscape.

- Bill.

 


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