Yes, Texas is full of surprises!  And I've always been bowled over by the plant life in California! 

Tom,

They're absolutely gorgeous!  Here is a picture of my Florida spring carpets-  I love this time of year!

Wow, aren't you Mr. Photographer. Gorgeous photos!

You take the most beautiful photos.  I was born and raised in California not too far from you, but love Texas too. The wildflowers are gorgeous and the people are GREAT!

Tom, I KNEW your photos would be spectacular and just look!!! They are gorgeous! You captured their beauty very well...you should visit when we have a good year. The hill country is dry this year, but when we have a wet spring watch out! Their scent is wonderful...you can drive in the car with your windows down and it's almost like heaven.

Hi Tom - I don't know what they are either, but they sure are pretty!

     
How about a Cactus in Bloom in Mesquite, NV ?                                                      

I don't know the name of it either ! 

More travel?  I thought I talked to you about this whole making me jealous thing!  lol

Great photos, sounds like fun!

Hey 

I see you entered the contest . Great!

Are you ready for some more "scrumptious and heavenly" Texas Pies and puddings?

Stunning pics Tom.  I see you are not only a Traveling Man but have a stellar eye for beauty as well!

OK Tom Mr. Photographer - You must come for the big wedding in June - Tex and Miss Molly - the biggest wedding of the century. We are going to put you down to be the photographer.

If anyone would like to stroll over and take a look at Ms. Liz blog for the big wedding plans for TEX & Miss Molly      http://activerain.com/blogsview/475212/Good-Golly-Miss-Molly                    

great pictures..... beautiful.   Glad you had a good time ... and as always .. I was glad to hear from you.  

Tom,

Before your blog popped up I got a glimpse of your background...It is absolutely beautiful

Hi Tom,

Absolutely beautiful, thanks for sharing these photos. I've been loving our spring this year too in SoCal. It's one of the most colorful ones I can remember. A few weeks ago I drove on Palm Springs, it was the fist time ever that I can remember seeing green most of the way.

Tom those are some great pictures!  Thanks for sharing thim!

Have you ever been over to the poppy reserve in Palmdale/Lancaster Ca. It's a pretty carpet of orange they even have tours of it. It's just another little hidden California Gem. Love the photos you took of your Texas flowers.

Tom, I love to see all the flowers blooming in the spring!  These pictures are beautiful!

Outstanding photo's, Tom.  I'm having to live vicariously through ya'll till the snow melts. :)

Tom, will these photos be making an appearance in your next photography book?

Pat - You're a funny lady...  "plant" life in California, eh?

Sara - Just lovely. Thanks for sharing that.

Lindsay - Thanks so much. It's becoming more and more of a passion.

Wendy - Many thanks. I love Texas, too. The folks are wonderful.

Linda - I'll have to come back in spring following a wet winter. Thanks for the kind words.

Virginia - Thank you. The cactus bloom is beautiful.

Chris - So sorry! I make it my mission to have lots of fun.

Trey - Bring 'em on! Thanks for the kind words.

Jason - I appreciate it, thanks. I really work hard on composition.

Carl - You know I'd love to be there. I don't think I can swing three trips to Texas in five months!

Dez - It's always a pleasure visiting with you. Happy tweeting!

Sara - It's Costa Rica... thanks!

Lynda - Thanks so much. It's been beautiful, hasn't it?

Jeremy - Glad you enjoyed them. Thanks.

DeVerie - I haven't, but I will definitely check it out. Thanks.

Roberta - Glad you liked the pictures. I'll be out your way next weekend.

Jessie - Brrrrr. Glad I can help.

Brian - I would love to do another. We'll have to see what happens. Thank you.

Tom, the pictures are beautiful.  Of course, I knew they would be.  Zydie says Hi to Uncle Tom. . . hehehehe

Judi - My wonderful hostess... thank you! How was Mr. Toups? Does Zydie miss Uncle Tom?

Tom, these are just beautiful!! I have to tell you have the photography bug this past few weeks. I treated myself to a new gadget and it's a dandy! I have a new digital camera with two lenses and I am so excited to see how this will improve my online photographs. So far they are beautiful. I have a post to write about it and this is definitely inline with what you have here! Gorgeous wild flowers! Texas is beautiful, I have been to several areas there. So glad you trip was full of fun memories!

Candace - Thanks for the compliment. I can't wait to see your new photos. It was a pleasure talking with you, as always.

Hi Tom, we're great!  Zydeco misses Uncle Tom?  He keeps checking the guest room.  :)

We drove up to Wimberley, TX to the Crawfish Festival yesterday and waited 4 hours to see Mr. Toups.  His bus broke down around LaGrange, TX and as far as I know he never got there.  We left about 8:30 or 9:00.  We were sooo disappointed.   :(

Judi - Awww, what a shame. I know how much you were looking forward to that.

Hi Tom,    I'm voting you as the wedding photographer.  You must come back for the wedding in June.  I'm hoping they will let me sing. :)

Hey Sneaky Tom, pretty, pretty flowers!  How did you get them to look like they are raised off the screen?  Your Texas buddy, L

Ricki - Thanks, but I'm not sure you could afford me ;-)... I sure wish I could be there, but I don't think I can make it.

Liz - Thank you. There's a wonderful program at www.picnik.com that gives you tons of cool effects for photos...

Sneaky Tom

Tom - Wildflowers are nature's gift to us...too bad so many people do not appreciate them! They look wonderful in your yard and if you develop a garden of local wildflowers, you save watering!!!!

Tom - I have a new post with my first photos from my new toy!! I also wanted to share one of my favorites that I took most recently here in Arizona!

Bill & Barbara-Jo - They are such a special gift. Thanks.

Candace - Gorgeous!!! I'm on my way to check out your post now.

Tom Tom, how wonderful these pics are! What kind of camera is that BTW? The one I'm using just doesn't cut it when it comes to crisp close-ups. These photos are perfect...the photographer isn't bad either!

Later in the rain~Deb

Deb - I use a Canon EOS 30D. It's really the lens and filter that makes the difference. Thanks for your kind words. You're a sweetheart.

Tom, thinking of you today.  Miss you, my friend.  Looking forward to August and visiting with you again. 

I finished my entry for the Wildflower contest ... see what you think.

Judi - I miss you, too! What a fun trip. I'm off to check out your post.

Tom, it was great that you could make it to the get together in Texas...sounds like you are a wanna be Texan at heart. Nice to see your entry into the contest. I'm sure they have made you an honorary Texan.

Tom, your shots are phenomenal you know! You're never going to tell me about your camera set up are you? Is that a trade secret? I do love the photos. Later in the rain~Deb

Gena   - Thanks so much! Yes, they did make me an honorary Texan!

Deb - Myemails must be joining to your spam filter.I use a Canon EOS 30D. The lens is a 28-70 f2.8 with a Singh Ray Color Combo Polarizing Filter.

Gena, yes, Tom has been made an Honorary Texan!!!   :)

Judi - I am a proud honorary Texan!