Texas Wildflowers

We went out this morning and hubby decided to take us to see if there were any wildflowers yet. Since there has been such a big drought around here the wildflowers are not like they were last year but we found a few. It's nice to just look at the wildflowers and then try to identify them when we get home. My little one enjoys a challenge.

This first one is called Texas Vervain or Texas Verbena(Verbena halei). This was used as a medicinal herb.

The next one we identified as Spotted Bee Balm(Monarda punctata). If you click on the picture it is just starting to flower. We learned this plant contains the antiseptic drug thymol.

Then there is the Texas Thistle(Cirsium texanum). We read a little on this one and we'd like to get some of this one. This one attracts butterflies and we found out that goldfinches eat the seeds of this flower and they also use the silky fluff of the ripened seeds to line their nests. This year was the first year that we had goldfinches so this would make a great wildflower to have and maybe they will come back.

We had a nice time just driving through the back roads and looking for flowers. We'll have to do this again in a few weeks and see what else we find.

We used this site and these books to identify our flowers.

Wildflowers Popping Up

As we drove home today from our meeting I stopped to take a picture of our wildflowers popping up. We live out in the country so stopping on the side of the road is really not much of a problem. I just love to see these flowers come up.

We call these "buttercups" but their name is showy primrose. These show up during March through July. So they are on time in popping up. I'll try to show some others that have come up in our area this week.

What is coming up in your area? Well, for those of you that don't still have snow. hehe I'm not making fun...really!!!!!

Saturday Fun Day

So what did we do that was fun? Well, we went to the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Oh it was so much fun. The weather was perfect. Not too hot and not cold. This is the first time that I took pictures with the boys in a very long time. I normally just take pictures but it was time for me to come out in pictures too. What you see in the background is the Tower of the Americas.

What was there? They had model trains. Now talk about perfect for the little train engineer in our house. It was nice although the train section was too small and they already had christmas decorations up.

There was these large leaves. They were from a tree called the Chinese Parasol Tree. Those leaves sure were huge.

Not only leaves but they also had a Japanese area. Of course, my baby wanted a picture at the little bridge. He is so cute. He loves to be in pictures. I'm glad one of the boys don't give me trouble when it comes to being in pictures.

There were so many nice things in this garden that it is very hard to decide which pictures to show. I took 86 pictures here. This is really a nice place to go for a field trip. I know what will be one of our field trip places for our small homeschool group.

There was also what they call Terrific Treehouse. They were these structures that the kids loved to play in. There were 9 treehouses on the grounds.

Now this botanical garden is a 33 acre garden. We could have spent all day there letting the boys explore. We didn't get to see everything because we were not expecting it to be so big. Next time we will be prepared.

Don't forget to click on the pictures to see them up close.

P.E. Time

It was too hot to stay outside too long but they did stay for a while and rode their bikes. They were all red and hot. hehehe So they came indoors. Don't you think my baby needs a bigger bike? I do!
We also have a few flowers left. This is one of my favorites. It smells soooo good. This year has not been the greatest for our flowers. Oh well, maybe next year.

Nature Pages

Here are two pages I made using photoshop. I love having this program and am learning how to use it. What do you think? Do you think I like it? You just might be seeing more of these pages on here.

Lots of color and music

There is lots of colors springing up everywhere. Lots of pretty colors! Spring has arrived for us. If you click on this picture to see it closer you will notice that the flower actually looks like an orchid.
What has also arrived is time to get that mower out every weekend to cut the grass. That also means time to get out the allergy medicines. Good thing my oldest doesn't have problems with allergies like the other guys do.
Our trees are starting to get their leaves too and the birds are all around. Can you see the red and yellow on his wing? His song is so recognizable to me now. Lots of music outside now. They are loud. You can click on the pictures to see this guy better.
These are a few pictures from today's outdoor walk. I love going outside and hearing all the birds from close and far away. My favorite thing to listen to is the leaves as the wind blows them around. Soon, I will hear that too.

Rain, rain go away....

We had thick rain clouds in the sky yesterday. I went out with the boys to put up another bird feeder and my littlest loves to look at the clouds and see shapes in them. Yesterday the clouds were moving very fast and he made a comment on that. So I took a picture and will put it in their school scrapbook.
Things are beginning to bloom and flower. Not much cold weather down in these parts. I saw this cactus I have that fell over on its side and is now blooming. I can't wait to take pictures as it come to a full bloom.
Shrubs are starting to grow too. We hardly had a winter this year. Sorry, to those of you in knee high snow. Although my boys would love to spend some time in the snow.
Everything is coming to life. Even spiders! EEWWWW! Can you see that pear shaped egg sack. I wonder how many spiders that is holding? Anyone want to come for the egg hatching party. hehehehe
Most of my pictures are taken right outside my door. It seems like if you look hard enough you will find something new every week.

How about an orchid?

We went to visit a friends husband who is very sick on Sunday morning. He has some orchids that are over 50yrs old. He has a greenhouse in the back that is heated in winter and has fans and vents for the summer. These flowers are truly amazing.



Isn't this orchid amazing?
These were tiny flowers all on one long stem.
I love yellow roses and yellow orchids are beautiful also.
I had to take this one. I just love my new camera. I can now take pictures like this and see the bee in mid-air.

What beautiful flowers. Some even had a wonderful scent.