Spring has Sprung, Ya’ll!

You can be sure as shootin’ certain that spring has arrived when you begin to see the carpets of bluebonnets springing up in the medians of the Texas highways.  Like clockwork, all true Texans will begin traipsing their children out into the fields of blue for a patriotic picture among the state flower.  The bluebonnet has a beautiful history in Texas, and has developed an almost cult following among Texans, who are taught as grade school children that bluebonnets must never be picked because it such a special flower that it is protected by law.  This law does not actually exist, but has become the stuff of urban legends that keeps our fields and medians filled with inky, blue blooms.  Interestingly enough, we don’t have the same affection for the state mammal, the armadillo and there seems to be an equal antithetical cult following to see how many of those can be destroyed.

~Bluebonnet pictures through the years~

Taking pictures along the highway median seems to be the popular dangerous game of the season.  This game of Frogger that involves children and cameras always makes me a little dizzy with fear.  I have always been reluctant to try it myself with young children who seem to think that “Stop right now” means “Hurry, run faster.”  Instead, I have always searched out fields that are off the highway where we can take our pictures with a bit more safety and leisure.

Here are some of my favorites and the recommendations of others in the area for Frogger-free picture taking. 

• Zion Cemetery Little Elm/Frisco: Huge sloping hill with plenty of bluebonnets for a wide shot filled with flowers.
• McInnish Sports Complex @ Sandy Lake Road in Carrollton: Wooden fences make for a great Texas background.
• Fujitsu Field in East Richardson (corner of Shiloh and Research Rd.)
• Cedar Hill State Park in Cedar Hill: Admission to the park is $5 per adult.  There are plenty of bluebonnets within the park, but for a unique picture check out the fields near Penn Family Farm.  Windmills and old barns make great backgrounds.
• Denison Dam on Lake Texoma: I’ve never been to this site personally, but I hear the fields are wide and full of flowers.
• Legacy and Corporate in Plano-JC Penney Corporate Fields: One of the most popular sites in the area with three huge fields full of flowers.
• Fort Worth Nature Center in Fort Worth: $5 for adults and $2 for children for admission to the center.  Bluebonnets are not as prolific at the nature center as they are in some other areas, but a visit to the nature center can make the photo session more fun.
• Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center in Denton: A great place not only for bluebonnets, but other wildflower pictures and hiking to add to the fun.
• Trinity River Audubon Center in Dallas: Another great hiking location with trails to discover all sorts of animals, as well as picture ops.

Becca at R We There Yet Mom is reporting some pretty great bluebonnet sightings in her neck of the woods in central Texas.  Check out her post about bluebonnets in the state capital (that's Austin, for you outsiders), and be amazed at the similarities of our bluebonnet posts.  I've always felt like Becca and I had tons in common.   Maybe we are actually sharing the same traveling momma brain!