The bluebonnet wildflowers of Texas get a lot of attention but honestly, they’re not my favorite flower of Texas. The bluebonnet is quite the diva and if we don’t get good rain in January and February, you can pretty much count them out. However, there are so many wildflowers of Texas that will still bloom.
Now, rain is still important, but it’s not as vital for these and if we get it later, say March or April, then these flowers are usually beautiful. I also think that some of these flowers actually photograph better than the bluebonnet. Shhh… don’t tell them.
That’s why I’m going to share my top equipment for photographing the wildflowers of Texas, my favorite flowers, and where to find them for you today.
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Photo Tips for Wildflowers of Texas
There’s a few tips about wildflower photography I learned long ago that completely changed the way I photograph them and I’m so glad to have learned these.
- Get low. This is a common tip for any type of non people photography but with this one it’s really critical. A lot of times, people walk up to flowers, look straight down on them, and take a photo. And then they don’t like the photo. This is because it’s how we all look at flowers all the time. When you get low and take photos from a different angle it’s more pleasing to your brain because it’s different from what you’re used to seeing.
- Time of day really matters. This isn’t just about the “good lighting” but because some flowers close during certain parts of the day. You don’t have to be a botanist to get good photos, but google the flowers you’re taking photos of so you know if they tend to be closed early in the morning.
- Have a Clear Subject. Another good tip for any type of photography but with flowers we can forget this. If you’ve ever looked out at field of flowers, wanted to get them all in so you take the photo trying to get so much in the photo, it then feels bland. This is because there’s not a clear subject. Either pick one flower to really focus on or make sure there’s a clear subject. See how the photo on the left has one yellow flower in focus and the photo on the right, the road is the clear subject? This just makes your brain believe it’s more interesting.
Equipment Recommendations for Photos
Since you now have my favorite tips for photographing the flowers, let’s talk about the best equipment for the job. I’m a big believer in the best equipment being what you know how to use, so if that’s simply a cell phone, go for it.
If you want to go bigger, here’s what I recommend as far as lenses go.
- 24-70mm lens. This lens will let you get wide views of the flowers as well as up close. It’s my go-to for a lot of landscape photography.
- A macro lens. Now, I’m not big on macro photography. I don’t think I have the patience for it but if you want the crazy details, then you’ll need a macro lens. I’m talking photos of the individual petals, bugs, etc.
My Favorite Wildflowers to Photograph
Now let’s get to the flowers! The thing about bluebonnets is that they are almost translucent when the sun is out. It’s beautiful but can be tricky to photograph. However, there’s a few flowers that are a bit easier and just a pretty as the bluebonnet.
First up, the little yellow flowers. There’s actually quite a few yellow flowers but I’ll focus on two of them.
- Black-eyed Susan. The yellow flowers with the black centers are really pretty during May, June, and sometimes into July. You can see them in the photo of the road on the right above
- Engelmann’s Daisy. If you’re looking for a full yellow flower, this is for you. If the rain is good, these can last through summer.
Now let’s add on another color. The little red flowers you see all around the hill country are another fan favorite. They have yellow on the outer part of the petals making them especially pretty.
- I know these flowers as fire wheels. It’s said that it’s hard to find them in large groups but I don’t find this to be true. If we have a lot of rain, you can find them in blankets with the yellow flowers. They are the red flowers mixed in with the yellow one on the left above.
The next flower is a simple one but is really beautiful when photographed. Let’s remove all color
- The tiny white daisy needs a lot of rain to show herself but when she does, it’s really beautiful. If you can find a field of them and photograph them with dew it almost looks like frost.
Finally, this last one is a bit controversial but it’s honestly my favorite. And it’s the biggest of them all!
- The cactus flower is gorgeous when it blooms. The delicate flower on the sharp cactus is such a great contrast. These come in yellow and orange. When a cactus blooms a lot of them at the same time, it’s truly stunning.
Where to Find the Wildflowers of Texas
Finally, you need to know where to look for these flowers. There’s a few key areas to head to in order to find the wildflowers. You can download a free map of the Texas Hill country on the Journey Junkies freebie page to get your bearings.
- Drive to Austin from San Antonio- The Capitol of Texas, Austin tends to take better care of their wildflowers. More seeds are thrown as well.
- Burnet– Burnet is known as the “Bluebonnet Capitol of Texas” so they take care of their flowers as well, beyond the bluebonnets.
- Willow City Loop– A 13 mile drive near Fredericksburg, TX. From Fredericksburg, head north on State Route 16 for approximately 13 miles to Willow City, go east on Ranch Road 1323 for nearly 3 miles, then turn left onto Willow City Loop.
- Marble Falls– Marble Falls tends to get great flowers and boasts the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge which has rare birds and flowers.
- Johnson City– home to Lady Bird Johnson, they take good care of their flowers in Johnson City.
- Drive to Houston from San Antonio– you will most likely see them scattering the side of the road.
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