Every year our easement monitoring schedule gets shuffled around a bit, and for 2019 I decided to focus my spring site visits on our Hill Country properties. On top of making sure all of our landowners are following their conservation easement restrictions, I wanted to check in with one of my favorite endangered species, the Golden-cheeked Warbler, which arrives in March and leaves by August. I’m happy to share that many warblers were seen and heard as I had hoped, but the wildflowers have stolen the show this year. Lucky for me, I picked up some new camera equipment that excels in macro photography, perfect for the tiny and colorful world of Texas wildflowers. Here’s a visual journey through my favorite closeups and landscapes that I’ve captured this spring.
Many folks had high expectations for this year’s bloom thanks to copious fall rains and consistent moisture through the spring. Drought conditions all but vanished for the entire state and water supplies are full. If you’re like me and love some good maps and graphs, here are some visuals from U.S. Drought Monitor and the Edwards Aquifer J-17 Well.
It’s a great time for plants and wildlife in Texas (and all the swimming-hole connoisseurs are surely feeling bliss as well), so get out there while you can and soak it all up!!