Texas wildflowers have started to bloom, and I'm going to capture what I can while they're out this year and share photos of them here on my blog. So, Alan and I went out to the pastures today and I took a few shots of the Texas Bluebonnets (the Texas state flower) which have started to fill the fields and ditches along roadways.
In other places in the US, this flower is called Lupin. Lupin grows wild in northeastern Washington too, which is where I was raised, and has always been one of my favorite wildflowers. There are very large domestic varieties of Lupin too, available in all kinds of colors.
Here in Texas, Bluebonnets can be seen as single plants scattered here and there, or grow in huge thickets large enough to cover fields. Regardless of how many you see at once, they really are quite beautiful! They grow in our pastures and oddly enough, the cows and donkeys don't bother to eat them.
Alan and I also found this little yellow daisy plant in the pasture surrounded by Bluebonnets. The blooms on this plant are about the size of a penny.
I like how they grow in a small cluster of blooms, making them seem much larger than they really are. It isn't a very large plant in general. These blooms were only about ten inches from the ground, and sat at the very tip top of the stems.
I'm looking forward to the other wildflowers that will bloom here on the farm as well -- Mexican Hats, Indian Blankets, and Indian Paintbrush are just a few of my favorites that will bloom soon. Can't wait!

SO yeah...I know those are not Lupine! LOL! But they look like them and they are gorgeous. We do not have them here that I am aware of (the bluebonnets) Stunning photography Anna.
Posted by: Lindsey | March 27, 2007 at 08:29 AM
OMG Anna, STUNNING, just stunning! Lupine are my all time favorite...wow....
Posted by: Lindsey | March 26, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Gorgeous! You have a way with the camera girl! Could you offer up some pointers on shooting flowers outdoors (i.e. best time of day to shoot, how close you get, etc.).. I have some pretty pictures that I've managed to take over the years in my garden, but its probably been sheer luck on my part.
Linda
Posted by: Linda (LSN on SCS) | March 25, 2007 at 08:13 PM
NH says thank you ...I woke up to 1 inch of snow making a winter wonderland this AM ...it stuck to the trees making a gorgeous pic but by now this is all very old and to see pics of flowers and green grass in a State I've never seen was a treat! Thanks Anna...
Posted by: Doreen | March 25, 2007 at 02:30 PM
Gorgeous photos...the colors are so vibrant!!! I love bluebonnets!!! We always go over to Washington County towards Brenham, Tx because there are a ton of fields right off of 290 that people stop at to take pictures!! Can't wait to see pics of the Paintbrushes. Don't forget the pink buttercups too!!!
Posted by: Kim/Kauai17 | March 25, 2007 at 01:41 PM
Your photos look like they were taken for one of those beautiful coffee table books....you are a photographic genius! TFS.
Posted by: Juanita | March 25, 2007 at 11:34 AM
You photos are gorgeous!!!!! I just love them. I love taking photos of flower during the spring and summer, my kids always tease me about taking so many Have a wonderful day!!
Posted by: Chris | March 25, 2007 at 10:01 AM
You're making me homesick! I never knew that Blue Bonnets were Lupines!?? Learn something new every day. Gorgeous pictures, Anna. Fitz' pic is precious, too. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: kathynruss | March 25, 2007 at 09:17 AM
What gorgeous photos, Anna! The lupins and blue bonnets are beautiful too!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | March 25, 2007 at 07:54 AM
Beautiful and bright -- I've never seen bluebonnets.
Posted by: Jennifer (jkincolorado) | March 25, 2007 at 07:38 AM
Anna,
These photos are gorgeous! I'm love it when you post all the beautiful pictures you take!
Kim
Posted by: Kim | March 25, 2007 at 06:21 AM
Wow those are so pretty.
Posted by: Liz | March 24, 2007 at 07:55 PM