Hello? Spring? Where are you?

Today is the First Day of Spring aka Primavera according to the calendar. Sooo, we went to Brazos Bend State Park to see if any wildflowers were blooming. Along the way we saw evidence of Indian Paintbrush in small patches but still too light-colored to take photos of. (Yes, Mrs. Bryan, I remember one is not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition; however, sometimes it can't be avoided - it just sounds better) Besides it wouldn't be fair to show it with less than its gorgeous bright orange/red color. We were really excited to see a few Bluebonnets trying to make themselves seen as we hope they will be out in full bloom next weekend when the TX Region has its Spring Meet Weekend.

The weather forecast was not in our favor. A cold front was heading our way bringing with it lots of rain, ....but at least that's better than the snow that fell in Colorado and northern TX last night.

We drove around the park before deciding where we wanted to stop and walk a trail. This trail took us to a lake where it was obvious that spring had sprung for the waterfowl. Mating season was in full swing. Birds were paired up on the waters or were calling (honking? hooting?) for a mate. Here are paired Blue-Winged Teals and Coots swimming in the mucky mire.



Not long after we took these photos, the wind started whipping up and the sky got darker. We about-faced and headed back as that was the shortest distance to the car. Along the way, Sneed spotted a Blue Heron at the base of a tree which we had to stop and photograph.



When we arrived in the park, I mentioned how the yellow wildflowers along the side of the road reminded me of the "yellow brick road" so Sneed stopped the car so I could cpature this photo. Across the way from the George Ranch, there is a rookery of Ibis. Undaunted by the rain, I pressed the window open lever and got this shot as Sneed drove over the bridge.



We stopped at Kroger and got some sushi for lunch. It was still raining when we got home. The rain gauge so far has registered 1".