Spectacular displays of wildflower blooms and prairie grasses are dazzling the landscapes of National Wildlife Refuges and surrounding lands across Texas. Abundant winter rains have given the countryside bursts of color not seen in years. Now is the time to plan a visit and take in the beautiful sights at some of Texass National Wildlife Refuges.
"With warm, temperate climate and bountiful annual rainfall the Texas Midcoast National Wildlife Refuges Complex is experiencing a flower bloom period well before the first day of spring," said refuge botanist Thomas Adams. "Among the early bloomers are the spiderworts, spider-lilies, coreopsis and false dandelion."
The profusion and diversity of flowers will also bring more pollinators such as foraging bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Ruby-throated hummingbirds and other "hummers" generally migrate through the area from wintering grounds in the southwest United States and Mexico, however, some will over-winter or nest within the refuge complex.
Spring wildflower viewing in Texas typically starts mid-March and continues well into June. Why are this years blooms so spectacular in abundance and variety of species. This past year, Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge received 48 inches of rainfall. The yearly average is around 16 inches. "We have not had that kind of moisture since 1941. There will probably be some (flowers) which have not bloomed in decades," said Refuge Manager Harold Beierman. All the rain has softened the protective coatings of seeds which have lain dormant for years. Stunning flower and grass species are dotting the landscapes in a palette of color to areas that have long forgotten their presence.
The following list is a small sampling of flowers and prairie grasses that can be viewed now and over the next few months at various refuges across the state: obedient plant, Indian blanket, paintbrushes, violets, prairie larkspur, red buckeye, horse mint, Mexican hat, primrose, buffalo grass, coralbean and goldenrod. The hillsides and roadsides will be teeming with many colors and shades of vegetation.
The best ways to view wildflowers and lush prairie grasses at Texas National Wildlife Refuges are by hiking and walking trails, and car drives along scenic refuge roads. Of course, capturing this natural phenomenon through the camera lens or artists canvas is a must, too.
If you wish to visit the refuges mentioned above or other Texas refuges, you may contact them via the following information:
Texas Midcoast National Wildlife Refuges Complex, Angleton, Texas, 979-849-7771. The National Wildlife Refuge Complex represents multiple Texas coastal refuges. Please contact the above number to obtain more information about a specific midcoast refuge.
Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, Muleshoe, TX, 806-946-3341. Directions to the refuge: From Muleshoe: take Highway 214 south for 20 miles, then west on Caliche Road for 2.25 miles to the refuge headquarters.
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, Sherman, TX, 903-786-2826. Directions to the refuge: From Dallas, go north on Highway 75 to Sherman FM 1417 exit, then north 13 miles on FM 1417 to refuge sign and left 6 miles to entrance.
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, Marble Falls, TX, 512-339-9432. The refuge is 30 minutes from Austin. Take U.S. Highway 183 north from Austin, then west on FM 1431 to Lago Vista to reach the southern end.
