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Mason: Bluebonnet Heaven Has Returned... Started by RichO at 04-10-2007 9:30 PM. Topic has 9 replies. WildflowerHaven... » Texas Wildflowe... » Hill Country » Mason: Bluebonnet Heaven Has Returned... Hunting Texas Wildflowers - New Book!

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04-10-2007, 9:30 PM RichO Joined on 02-15-2005 San Antonio, TX Posts 934 Mason: Bluebonnet Heaven Has Returned... Bluebonnet Heaven has returned to parts of Mason County! Tuesday (4/10/2007) I traveled to Mason County. I am very happy to report that the recent snow and sleet had little or no negative effect on the wildflowers I saw.  The coverage in the northern routes that I traveled was equal to and in some cases more than in 2004.  To me the coverage this year far exceeds that of 2005 and certainly 2006. Not all areas are necessarily experiencing a better year, but even in the less covered areas the coverage was much better then 2006. Coverage along RR-1900 exceeds that of any area I have seen this year with the exception of parts of Keyserville road in Loyal Valley. The best locations are in the northern part of Mason County with the exception of Keyserville Road in Loyal Valley. I did not travel all of the southern routes, but I saw enough to tell you that the northern parts are doing much better. Routes will little or much less coverage include: Art-Hedwigs Road: very little coverage compared to previous years. Simonsville Road (FM-1723): the best coverage was closer to Kettner-William Road. SH-29 (From Art-Hedwigs Road to RR-1900): not much was seen on this part of SH-29 and I did not travel the other section of SH-29 closer to Mason. The top spots with heavy coverage that I traveled include: Keyserville Road (Loyal Valley): WOW! Nearly solid coverage on both sides of road for almost mile. Bluebonnets flowing into fields and hillside. This location is closest to Fredericksburg. This was the best "natural setting" road that I traveled. For another view showing the bluebonnets flowing into the hillsides see: http://community.wildflowerhaven.com/photos/hillcountry/picture2041.aspx RR-2618 and RR-1900: Nearly solid blue along roadsides of RR-1900 for 4 miles. Other long stretches along RR-2618. The photo shows one part of the 4 miles along RR-1900. This section is near the intersection with RR-2618 and is one of the less covered areas. Several locations along RR-1900 have bluebonnets flowing into the adjourning fields. The bluebonnets are so dense along the road that there are very few places bare enough to allow you to stop without damaging the bluebonnets. A view of RR-2618: http://community.wildflowerhaven.com/photos/hillcountry/category1006/picture2055.aspx One of the views of bluebonnets flowing into the fields along RR-1900. I call this one "Hidden Meadow II." If you rush by along RR-1900 you will likely miss this spot with the creek running through the small meadow of bluebonnets. The water is reflecting the color of more bluebonnets hidden by the trees. Hickory Grove Rd (Pontotoc): Bridge over bluebonnet meadow. Old Mason Rd: The only thing bad about this road is some dead vegetation, but other than that is is worth a look. FM-1871 (5 miles south of Mason): Largest display of prairie verbena that I have ever seen. Over two miles long on both sides of the road. The area is located just before the Llano River.  The photo shows only one small section of one side of FM-1871. If you are already in the Fredericksburg area or planning a trip to the Hill Country then Mason County is a must see. The bluebonnets are peaking but still have some greenish white tips., Due to recent cold weather and rain they will likely last through this week. Plants nearest to roadside did have some seedpods, but not many and not really noticeable. Stop in at the Mason County Chamber of Commerce (located on the northside of the main square) for current updates on best routes. If you are looking for a good lunch, I can recommend the Willow Creek Cafe next to the chamber of commerce office.     RichO Hunting Texas Wildflowers    Report

04-11-2007, 9:59 AM FlowerPower Joined on 03-08-2005 The Woodlands, Texas Posts 244 What a grand sight! Now you're making me fell bad that we cancelled our trip after the big freeze -- Oh well stuff happens :0( Thanks for the report and photos Rich! Flowers will brighten your day whether mild or wild, Murry!    Report

04-11-2007, 10:10 AM RichO Joined on 02-15-2005 San Antonio, TX Posts 934 Re: What a grand sight! Murry, While the total area of coverage in Mason County is less than what it was in 2004 and 2005 there are some very choice locations. I did not have time to investigate the southern routes in the county, but based on what I did see and rainfall the northern sections are doing much better.  Loyal Valley was one spot that showed up on Gary's map and Keyserville Road was apparently the one road that got the most benefit from the rain in the fall. It is not too late to come if you can make it before this coming Monday. I saw very little damage to the plants. The photos do not properly show the mix of phlox with the bluebonnets.   RichO Hunting Texas Wildflowers    Report

04-11-2007, 10:59 AM FlowerPower Joined on 03-08-2005 The Woodlands, Texas Posts 244 Motels are full Rich, I checked around and most of the convenient motels are now full and the rates are double what we had so we'll wait until next year. The weather there also looks a bit spotty over the next few days. The wind bothers me more than the rain. Now if we lived in SA like you do it would be a no brainer to make a couple day trips! :0) I'll continue to enjoy your reports and photos along with the others. Thanks for all your hard work!! Flowers will brighten your day whether mild or wild, Murry!    Report

04-11-2007, 2:33 PM gregner Joined on 03-28-2006 Posts 65 Re: Mason: Bluebonnet Heaven Has Returned... Some awesome pictures Rich.  I was in Mason on business the Thursday before Easter and drove RR-2618 and RR-1900 on the way back to Austin.  It was pretty much dark by then but I had noticed very abundant bluebonnets on the sides of the road as far as my headlights would illuminate.  Unfortunately I have to go to Houston the rest of this week on business but I hope to make it out to Mason this weekend. I was real worried about the freeze they saw over the weekend, it is good to know the wildflowers survived that freak cold spell. I definately want to check out FM1871.  You don't often see large displays of verbena. Thanks for the update.    Report

04-11-2007, 2:43 PM RichO Joined on 02-15-2005 San Antonio, TX Posts 934 Re: Mason: Bluebonnet Heaven Has Returned... I remember roadsides covered with verbena when I was a kid, but this was the largest single display that I have ever seen. The only other closest to it was in Blanco County, but that has since been plowed under and is now being grazed by sheep and goats. I will have a photo of the verbena field up later. The field is mixed with white prickly poppies. RichO Hunting Texas Wildflowers    Report

04-11-2007, 5:57 PM Carlws Joined on 03-21-2005 Posts 12 Re: Mason: Bluebonnet Heaven Has Returned... I traveled much of the same route today. I took 1900 and it was the most awesome roadsides I have ever seen. In fact, I stopped and took pretty much the same photo as you did of the creek along 1900. I also traveled Old Hay Road and it had some good spots with some fields covered about half way through this 4 mile road. I took some shots from the bridge on Hickory Grove Road also. At the RR crossing in in Kingsland provided some good shots. If you turn off right after the crossing there is a large group of Bluebonnets along the tracks and a red barn in the background. It was a good day and I haven't even looked at my photos. Carl    Report

04-17-2007, 7:33 PM gregner Joined on 03-28-2006 Posts 65 Re: Mason: Bluebonnet Heaven Has Returned... Trip report from 4/14-4/15.  The Hill Country bluebonnets are at peak now. Should last through the week, but there will be increasing seed pods as the days progress. Cool temperatures and continued rainfall have prolonged the bloom period this year. This is a very good year in many areas. The bonus is that it appears that after the bluebonnets fade, there will be a significant crop of red firewheels and golden tickseed in many areas. This should occur in early to mid May. Some notable areas: Hwy 71 south of Llano - some very large fields of bluebonnets along roadsides and in pastures FM 1900 east of Mason - in my opinion the most beautiful road I've seen this year; several miles of the northern section of this road are lined with solid bluebonnets, a spectacular sight in the late afternoon or early morning. Avoid unpaved county roads in the area, they are in poor condition with many very rough areas, numerous low water crossings, lots of loose cattle, and unless you have very good maps and a compass, you can easily get lost since the majority of roads are unmarked. My experience was that they have far fewer bluebonnets and were not worth the extra time and much, much lower travel speed. I wasted a lot of time exploring the county roads and was extremely disappointed. FM 386 and FM 2618 north of Mason - very nice areas of bluebonnets and other wildflowers, but not nearly as impressive as FM 1900 Hwy 71 just west of FM 1851 - very large field of bluebonnets right next to the rest area, perfect place for a break Hwy 71 between FM 386 and Brady - assorted wildflowers including multicolored prairie paintbrush and golden-eye phlox Northeast Menard Co - lots of verbena and Huisache daisies FM 1871 southwest of Mason - large stands of magenta verbena, the sun must be to your back or you will likely miss these altogether Images from the trip at: http://www.texaswildflowerpictures.com/update.htm    Report

04-17-2007, 8:26 PM RichO Joined on 02-15-2005 San Antonio, TX Posts 934 Re: Gary's Trip report from 4/14-4/15.. Thanks for the update Gary. Very nice work on the images...I like the one you got of FM-1900 in the late afternoon. You also captured the verbena much better than I did. Did you make to SH-16 near Baby Head mountain or 501 west of Cherokee at the church? Those are two areas I totally missed this year. I was planning to drive through on my way back from Ennis, but ran out of time. Is that the same area of verbena, I saw? You do have to travel both ways to be able to take it all in. About the firewheels... When I was at the "house in Marble Falls", I noticed lots of firewheels along the roadside with buds and a few already blooming. RichO Hunting Texas Wildflowers    Report

04-18-2007, 4:06 AM gregner Joined on 03-28-2006 Posts 65 Re: Gary's Trip report from 4/14-4/15.. I was not able to make it to Baby Head or Cherokee.  Maybe this coming weekend. The verbena were from the same area you mentioned, I was disappointed that the area was fenced off with the high deer/exotic fencing, it made it really hard to photograph.  I was there late afternoon, and if you were facing the sun, you could not see the verbena, but with your back to the sun, they looked great. I saw huge areas of coreopsis just south of Llano, and in the Mason area lots of firewheels.  None were blooming yet, but looks like there will be plenty.    Report

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