When Bluebonnets (and Mountain Laurel) Bloom, 2014 Edition

I appreciate all the positive feedback and comments I have received regarding While on a Walk while I have been on something of a hiatus. I really haven't vanished off the face of this beautiful planet.

The weather here in South Texas since early January has not exactly been conducive to being out on the trail. Like much of the U.S., it has been rather cold. Granted not as cold as the northern states, cold is relative. When it goes below 60º (F) around here, it's cold.

One advantage to not being able to get out on the trail is I have had time to make major progress towards completing the manuscript for my book, The Song of the Cactus Flower; Images from a Land of Many Thorns. I have also realized there aren't enough hours in a day to complete a book manuscript and publish a blog at the same time. If all goes according to plan, I should be at a point to resume posting on a regular basis by early next month. I may manage a post now and then, like this one, in the meantime.

The Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora) and Bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis) have begun to bloom signaling a return to Spring in South Texas. These two photos were taken in my yard with my cellphone camera, the Mountain Laurel on March 3rd and the Bluebonnet on March 8th.

Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora)

Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis)

The Bluebonnet, of course is the Official State Flower of Texas, but the Texas State Legislature rarely makes things simple. For the fascinating story of how the Bluebonnet became the state flower, click on this link (pdf) to the article, "All about Bluebonnets", written by Camelia Maier.