Texas Bluebonnets and Wild Flowers Abound

[kandace]

Recently, I went to a presentation on how to shoot Texas wild flowers, but more importantly, where to shoot Texas wild flowers . . . I got three different wildflower trails in the surrounding area. Yesterday, I took out to explore the country side of HWY 290. Its beautiful with an abundance of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and a variety of wildflowers. However, I don't think these beauties have reached their peak.

I took a macro lens, a mid range zoom, fisheye lens, wide angle lens, extension tubes, and my 70-200mm lens, ring flash, tripod, right angle viewer, shutter release and beanbag. I looked for interesting compositions. I found the old cemetery but I couldn't find the old rusted truck. There's some log cabins and an old gas pump near Independence, TX. I'm going back next week.

[scubafish]

KH,
  We're doing the route this Sunday early morning!  Let's meet up...

[kandace]

Greg, don't go this Sunday . . . its still too early. There is not enough large scale landscapes of wildflowers yet. I am planning on Friday, March 30, if weather permits. And, that might be too early as well.

[scubafish]

I have to say if one waits much past the weekend of April 7th you'll miss out.  The route we took was loaded with fully mature Texas wildflowers.  There are a few that have not matured but waiting should not be in your plan.  The truck in Independence is not at the old General Store but the gas pump is still in front.  We're planning on going back out on April 7 or 8th.

[kandace]

Greg, did you find the old rusted truck? Did you find the cementery? There is suppose to be a old rusted truck with patches of bluebonnets somewhere around Independence.

I agree that there are beautiful patches of wild flowers. However, I was looking for sweeping landscapes of colorful wild flowers for creative composition work. I wanted to try some of Bryan Petersen's techniques. The zoom technique and the creative technique that Tony Sweet uses. I might try the Painted Churches route this week.

[kandace]

I am looking for the short up-and-down movements of the camera to produce a blending of the blues, yellows, greens and pinks discussed in Tony Sweet's "Fine Art Flower Photography." I have attached a "first try" photo with the fall maples at Lost Maples.

Also, I like the zoom effect that Bryan Petersen does in many of his creative workshops and his books.

[scubafish]

KH,
There are a couple of open fields on I290 10-15 minutes before getting to Brenham (get there early B4 the crowds) that will work for your creative shots.  There is also one field East of Independence that has quite a few curious cows and (1) bull with a pond and a few trees that gives the elements you're after.

To our disappointment the old rusty truck is not there in front of the old merchantile store any longer.  The old gas pump is still in front of the old store but no more truck!    To get there while coming from the east, go past the Baptist church on the corner and make a right when you see the (4) pillars (columns) and go behind (to the right) of the columns for the old merchantile store.  (I can send you the lat./lon. geo info in a PM if you need it...)

I did not make it to the cemetery but would like the coordinates or directions so we can hit it on 4/7...

GG

[kandace]

Greg,

I know exactly where the old gas pump is. I was shooting in that field. The cementary is down the dirt road just as you are approaching the old mercantile store. Take a right there and follow the road for a mile or so, maybe two miles or more. You will see it on the right. I am going on Wednesday, March 28, since weather is not looking good on Friday.

[TomC]

I was mowing down BBs with my tractor this last weekend.  Not too many in my fields, as the cows will eat the small plants before they bloom.  A lot of weeds.

Washington County spends $$ seeding BBs for all you city folk to come see and spend some time and money in our area.  I agree that the BBs are not in full bloom yet - almost - but not quite.  However, the weather last weekend was prefect and might not be prefect when the BBs are prefect.

[scubafish]

I do not remember a dirt road at the field in front of the merchatile but will look for it.  I thought for some reason you mentioned it was off of hwy. 50.  So the cemetary is north or south of town?

[kandace]

When you go to the right of the three columns on the "loop" there lies the gravel/dirt/unpaved road. There are homes down that road.

[scubafish]

Bingo!    I know where your talking about!!!

[kandace]

While I was printing some hummingbird photos for a customer, I found some that I had forgotten about when I did the Larry Ditto Hummingbird Workshop in March, 2009 on the Barnhart Q5 Ranch. I added Alien Software's Snap Art 3 plugin to resemble an oil painting. I really like this plugin better than Topaz Labs Simply.

I got the old mission at Goliad, TX with a nice patch of bluebonnets.

[scubafish]

Both shots are superb and I like the creative plug-ins as well...