I went on a short hike today. I haven’t been feeling well, but I just had to get outside. A quick  hike does wonders for your outlook!

It rained this morning, so the ground was a little soft, but the sun was out and it was cool. One thought entered my mind – are there always wildflowers in bloom in Texas? Our property is covered in small yellow flowers. I had my extension tubes on – these flowers are only about 1/4 inch in diameter.

Broomweed Flower

I think the plant is broomweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae). It’s everywhere. I know the bees like it because when I was walking through it I could hear their buzzing.

I think yellow is the most common color of wildflowers. I know blues and purples are more rare. Violets, reds, and oranges are probably in between. I’ll have to ask one of my biologist friends if this is true and why. Is yellow the easiest color to produce? Is it the most attractive to insects?

Next on my hike, I spotted these young agarita (Mahonia trifoliolata) leaves. Check out the veining! The young leaves are reddish but the veins are a pale green.

Young Agarita Leaves

The acorn crop has been amazing this year. I’m sure the pigs and deer are enjoying them.

Acorn Closeup