On April 12, Hidden Springs was teeming with flowers refreshed by the recent rains. The day started sunny and cool with a breeze but warmed up quickly to allow blue eyed grass and yellow flax to open up. The survey team identified dozens of species, including several that had not been observed in previous surveys.
Highlights were Lindheimer’s paintbrush, several species of cactus, white rosinweed, little Indian breadroot, and blooming wavyleaf twinevine. Antelope horns milkweed was abundant, as was star milkvine. Yellow flowers included four nerve daisy, two-leaved senna, parralena, and two species of primrose.
The survey team also saw the recently installed weather station. Pictures of the field trip are available in the chapter’s field trip photo album.
Left: Lindheimer’s Paintbrush, Castilleja purpurea var. lindheimeri Right: Wavyleaf Twinevine, Funastrum crispum Photos by Cindy Chrisler
See more photos from this field trip and others in our album=>
This parking info has been added to the Middleton Ranch (working cattle ranch) portion of April 27’s field trip ==> If you are uncomfortable driving your vehicle on the ranch roads, you may park inside the gate and we will transport you to the property and back to the gate.
Museo Benini, 3440 FM2147, Marble Falls, TX 78654. Directions: From FM 1431, take 281 south for about 2.5 miles to FM 2147. Turn left on FM 2147 and proceed 3.2 miles to Museo Benini.
Middleton Ranch directions will be provided at the field trip
Our field trip is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.
Directions: From FM 1431, take 281 south for about 2.5 miles to FM 2147. Turn left on FM 2147 and proceed 3.2 miles to Museo Benini.
Middleton Ranch directions will be provided at the field trip
Our field trip is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.
Meet at Museo Benini at 10:30 AM to tour the site and view their wildflowers. Optionally you may enter the museum and visit the artwork (free admission).
At 11:30, those who wish to continue to the Middleton Ranch will be given directions and a waiver to sign. It takes about 20 minutes to get from the museum to the Middleton Ranch. The ranch roads are one-way gravel, and there are some ruts and steep hills, but you do not need high clearance. (My husband’s MG can handle the road!) You are invited to bring a picnic lunch and eat in the shade of live oak trees. Bring lawn chairs and your picnic lunch. The chapter will provide a dessert and water. Bathrooms are available. After lunch, Cindy Chrisler will lead a guided hike around the property, and you may wander after that until 5:00 p.m., although you may leave earlier if you like.
If you are uncomfortable driving your vehicle on the ranch roads, you may park inside the gate and we will transport you to the property and back to the gate.
Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, including closed toed shoes and long pants if you plan to go on the guided hike at the Middleton Ranch. Participants may also want to use insect repellent.
The Middleton Ranch is a working cattle ranch and cattle roam freely. Some terrain is uneven, steep, and rocky in places. The guided hike will mostly be on flat areas, but there are some spots that are steep and rocky and we will cross a shallow creek twice.
