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The Hunt for the Missing Bluebonnets

Rain, oh Rain, Where have you gone? They say "April showers bring May flowers" but where, oh, where is the Rain!? It has been a very dry Springtime in our area and has had a big effect on the wildflowers and especially the bluebonnets. When I heard about the wildflower contest, I grabbed my camera and off I went to film these little darlings we have in abundance all over the beautiful Texas Hill Country. dry ground

But where are the beautiful wildflowers and the Bluebonnets?

See how dry and parched the ground is. This little lonely flower has pushed its way through the broken, fractured sod and is struggling to make its Springtime debut.

A little farther down the road and I spot another determined wildflower trying to live in these dry conditions. It blows in the wind but suffers from wilting.

yellow flowers

So far, most of the Spring rains have poured down to the east of the Texas Hill Country. We have had big clouds come over head only to pass us by and drop their bounty to the east. My, what beautiful flowers they must have there!

I drive a little farther and here I find a beautiful evening primrose and my favorite "the Wine Cup". We used to pick the winecups when I was young and make lots of bouquets from them. They have a lot of pollen in them for their size and the bees love them. evening primrose and winecup

Where are the bluebonnets? Where can I find them? Then I remembered a wonderful place along the highway where tourists will stop to take pictures of the bluebonnets. The children will lie down in the field surrounded by an ocean of blue while Mom & Dad take pictures.

Yes. That's where I will find them!

But to my dismay, the field is empty when I arrive. No bluebonnets! This is the first time in many years I can remember coming to this place and there being NO BLUEBONNETS!

I will not give up! Farther North and East! I will drive until I find them! Indian paintbrush

Ah! Indian Paintbrush, these are like red bluebonnets to me. How pretty they are! If there are no bluebonnets, at least there are Indian Paintbrush.

Not only are these beautiful, you can make jelly from them. Quite a different taste! So good!

A little farther down the road and the hillside displays a Springtime mixed bouquet. How lovely!

Hillside mix

Surely there must be bluebonnets somewhere!

As the miles click away and the towns pass by one by one, the hunt for the missing bluebonnets intensifies!

The Beautiful Texas Hill Country must have BLUEBONNETS! Here they are! I found them!

But Wait! What's this? I can't believe it! It 's the famous TEXAS SIZE BLUEBONNETS!

Everything is Bigger in Texas!

Now, we know it's true!

bluebonnets

Happy Springtime and Wildflower Viewing from the Beautiful Texas Hill Country!

Ricki Eichler, your Texas Hill Country connection www.RickiEichlerRealEstate.com

Posted by Ricki Eichler,Broker,GRI,ePRO your Texas Hill Country connection on 04/18/2008 12:26 PM

Comments (37)

april wildflower contest, texas hill country, kerrville homes

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37 Comments on The Hunt for the Missing Bluebonnets

APR

2008

Rickie, The bulls are also bigger in Texas and you know that makes bigger B-S and I think you have some.

Don Eichler

OK DON, ... But you might be right :)

I appreciate the pictures! I ama native Texan stuck out on Cape Cod, but the picture of the gate to my Texas ranch is right next to my desk. I have great memories of the blue carpet the blue bonnets make this time of year. Thanks again for the pics!

Ricki:

Great and fun post. You did a terrific job. I am about to head out to lunch with my broker, I think you know the guy. Ha]

I myself am having trouble finding the bluebonnets and wildflowers. Very sparse in my area where they usually are abundant. Love the photos, especially of the beautiful ones that you finally found. And cute post!

Hi Heath, Thanks for commenting. The wildflowers here are fantastic and we always take lots of drives during the Spring just to see them.

Hey Alan, Have a great lunch and give my regards to the Big Guy! :)

Wendy, I found those in Stephenville not far from you but I'm not telling where I found the Texas Size ones!

Ricki, the photos are great,,,,,,,and your coments are funny,,,,,,,,,makes me whant to go out and search for Blue bonnets.....keep up the fun.....

SEPTIMUS

Howdy Ricki

What a blog masterpiece you have done.

It was a fun mystery trail to read, to finding the missing Texas Bluebonnets.

On the trail of the Texas Bluebonnets

Ricki do ya know the Native American legend, that was evoked by the Paintbrush ?

Have a good one Dale

Ricki, I'm so glad you finally found those allusive bluebonnets and a Texas sized one at that. I guess we need to pray for rain for the Texas hill country.

Ricki - Not only are you a great realtor but a great poet. Enjoyed your narrative of the "hunt for bluebonnets". We finally got a little rain over this way last night, first in months; always seems to skirt right past us.

Have you noticed that many that attended the gathering are participating more; even a man named Don? Now we need to work on Cheri Lynn. I see Septimus has also been by for a visit. Hi Septimus.

Hi Ricki,

Great title and story to this post. Same thing here, but not quite as bad.

Ricki - We visited Fredericksburg a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't believe how dry it was down there. We drove the Willow City loop and barely saw any bluebonnets at all. The ones we saw were very scraggly looking. I think we need to pray for rain for you guys!

APR

2008

Hi Septimus, Thank you for your comments. You keep up the good work too! :)

Howdy Dale, No, I don't know the legend. Please tell me :)

Hi Marchel, So how did you like the Giant Bluebonnets? Not many of those around? HE HE

Hi Carl, I think we can forget about Cheri Lynn but now Septimus is another story! We will keep encouraging him! :)

Hi Sondra, We got a little rain a few days ago and it has made a difference.

Hi Linda, Yes, pray for rain. We still need lots more. More wildflowers are out today than a few days ago. That little rain helped a lot. How'd you like my Giant Bluebonnets? I think they must have used Miracle Grow on them! :)

Ricki - I sent Septimus an email direct after the gathering telling him how glad I was to meet him; let's both keep after him to get more active with our Texas groups. I have alot going right now so I can only give it thirty minutes a day. I think everyone is hurting for time. It would be nice if Cheri Lynn would blog, I really liked talking to her about Colorado. She is a nice lady.

You need to go over and read Liz blog, the wedding plans for Tex and Ms. Molly. Good Golly Miss Molly

Have a good week.

Hey Carl, Already been there. Check out my comment! :)

Ricki:

Another great post and beautiful flowers. Be blessed and have a great week.

APR

2008

Hey my friend, I had more luck, we went up around Round Top, and then over by my lake house, and this side of Waco. There was a lot more rain in those parts of TX I guess.

That last shot you got is fantastic! One of the best pictures I've seen, you should submit that somewhere, it's perfection! L

Hi Alan, I can't believe you didn't say anything about the Giant Bluebonnets. That is right up your alley!

Thank you Liz, You are so right. Where else have you ever seen these incredible "Giant Bluebonnets". Looking at my comments I suppose many folks just expect things to be bigger in Texas. These Bluebonnets Prove that is true! I've been looking for these for years and in such a dry year to actually find them, I am still amazed at how beautiful and large they are! Have a great week. :)

APR

2008

Ricki,

I went to Austin this weekend but sure didn't see bluebonnets that direction. We had a few up here but hot near the crop we usually have.

Ricki, The readers still don't get it about the Texas Size Blue Bonnet. It seems that somone would question you about a six foot tall Blue Bonnet, don't you think. I guess if you can sell a Longhorn Wedding you can sell anything.

Hi Becky, They are few and far between this year but how did you like the "Giant" ones. We don't have them every year! :)

Thank YOU DON! for noticing and yes, a longhorn wedding and giant Bluebonnets, what do they have in common? :)

Ricki, I like your BS...you can tell Don that! Those are some BIG Bluebonnets!!! That looks about 6 feet tall to me, how about you? Now, the book of world records may need to see this! Call Guiness! I have to get back to my planning. Later in the rain~Deb

Hi Deb, Do you think I need to call Guiness? I'll get them on the phone!

APR

2008

Ricki, You know what they have in common----they are both bull even though one is a flower. Maybe the bs made the Bluebonnet grow to six feet tall.

If that's the case, what is Bandera gonna look like by the time the wedding gets here! (Good Golly Miss Molly) Wedding of the Century! (The Red Hot Chili Peppers Team)

APR

2008

Ricki:

You call those Giant? I live in Austin Texas the Blubonnet capital of the world. We use an ax to cut them down after their season passes.

APR

2008

Really Alan, Could you send me some pictures? Not that I'm doubting you but just want to see for myself. :)

APR

2008

Ricki:

cartoon Ax clipart image - Hatchet Ax clip art stock illustration picture The ax I use when cutting down the giant bluebonnets.

APR

2008

Alan, the picture is not coming thru and I really want to see this ax, Not that I am doubting the size of Your Bluebonnets!

MAY

2008

Ricki, I think this is just adorable! I love your concept and your pics of those lonely little flowers. They have been officially immortalized thanks to you! Only you would pull out that camera for those "missing" ones. You're a doll. Let's talk soon! Later in the rain~Deb

Hey Deb, Thank you so much! Will talk to you soon. :)

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