Spring is right around the corner.....

Spring is around the corner.....

at least at the Ladybird Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas

On this beautiful day, we grabbed Pat's two little cousins (ages 5 and 8) and headed towards the wildflower center.  It wasn't crowded, the sun was shining, there was a nice breeze and the early bloomers were showing their colors.  New growth, which I love, was evident and I didn't want the day to end.

Before we even got started, the 8 year old noticed a yellow flower with a bee on it in her front yard.  So of course I had to take a picture of it.   So here in all its glory is the first flower we saw today.

After admiring, discussing, and making sure everyone was aware of the flower with the bee on it we finally got loaded and headed out to find more flowers.

Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center

Athena greeted us at the entrance.  She has nested here for the past eight years (I think that is correct).  We were afraid we were too early in the year to see her, but there she was.  I thought it very neat that they had a card table set up with binoculars for you to use to get a better look at her.  They were also there to be sure we were respectful and kept the noise level down so not to disturb her.   I had to wonder if she had a secret service agent assigned to her as befitting the First Owl.

Once inside the entrance way we stopped by the pool and falls to see if the turtles were about...

The last time we were here there were tons of little turtles sunning themselves, swimming from one rock to another, enjoying the beautiful day.  Today we didn't see any....and then there he was!!!

He was the only one we saw, and I'm beginning to wonder if his Edward Scissorhands' feet had anything to do with the absence of others.  Definitely in need of a manicure.  He was there when we walked in and he was there when we walked out...the hare has nothing to worry about here.

The girls immediately wanted to check out the Lynda Robb Tower and up we went, and up we went, and up we went....puff puff puff, pant pant pant, puff puff puff.  Getting to the top was well worth it for the view it afforded.  We need to go up there when everything is in bloom it has to be gorgeous.

 There was a stop along the way to catch your breath and take in some of the view...ok ok, the view is nice, but the catching the breath is biggest bonus for the first landing.

Some cactus growing on the ledge at the top.  The one above was about the size of a mini cupcake; the one on the right is a pile about 5 inches tall.

The view from the top...

The Mountain Laurel in the bottom left corner was just one of many blooming in the wildflower center but also along the roadways and in the subdivisions.  Their blooms are just gorgeous, I think.

After admiring the view we headed over to the Luci and Ian Turpin Family Garden.  This is a beautiful 5 acre tract, within the wildflower center, designed for families and children of all ages.  There are statues of coyotes, rabbits, frogs and whatever to pet and play around;  beautiful grassy areas to run off some steam while Mom can still keep an eye on you; water fun including a waterfall you can walk behind; giant bird nests; tepee building; and a peekaboo fence that has a hidden duck pond behind it.  A lot of thought went into the Family Garden and judging from the giggles and squeals we heard those thoughts paid off.

Playing behind the waterfall and looking at the petroglyphs painted on the walls.  What secrets do they hold?  If we could only decipher them.  Oh well, there is always a tree to climb while we think about those secrets....

She did do a beautifully executed dismount complete with hands in the air (encouraged by both Pat and I).  We decided that the two of us were sillier than the two of them.  Can't argue with it.....but we have fun.

After the dismount we headed over to check out the giant bird nests.  There were three or four of them, but only one had eggs.  I think it was finally decided that the eggs contained nothing less than a dinosaur.

You can see a bit of the cedar wall behind the weeds on the left.  In the wall are several "peek holes" for the kids to look through.  I peeked through one and saw this sweet little duck pond.

Lots of pretty rocks making a mountain in the Family Garden with plants stuck here and there. 

The area above the waterfall would be a wonderful climbing area, unfortunately there are signs posted everywhere that read "No Climbing".  Poo...what's a little blood or a splint or two when you could have soooo much fun climbing up those rocks?

Whew that worked up a real thirst, so back to the front for a quick vending machine stop, a quick rest and we were off to the lonnnnnnnng hike to the swings.  We told the girls it was a ten mile hike in and a ten mile hike out...evil laugh.   There was a lot of new growth, some early blooms, and of course the swings.

Some of the things we saw on the way to the swings....

Bluebonnets are popping up all over the place, along side the roadways, by the pathways, in gardens...it is a magical time of year in Central Texas, and we never ever get tired of seeing them bloom.









Loved the blooms by the bird nest in the photo below.  Made me wonder if mama bird was decorating her home getting ready to start a family.

 

Just one of the many examples of new growth.  I guess it is a psychological thing but I just love new growth.

 Along with the beauty is the fascination of Mother Nature.  This tree was uprooted but held on and sank those roots right back in the ground and kept on growing.  You can see the torn up ground behind and along side of it.  This damage to the ground is thanks to some feral hogs.  Watch for the announcement of fresh pulled pork sandwiches on the cafe menu!!!

The trunk fascinated me, with the gnarly lines and grains and knobs and stuffs....just love it.  Then that one silly plant growing from it.  Love it!!!!!

Anyone know what the red plant is?  I think it is so petty.




I liked the contrast of the harsh cacti with the delicate pink flowers growing around them.

Other than Bluebonnets, nothing is prettier in Spring than a Redbud tree in bloom. 

We did find some fun stuff too....

Like monsters living in trees.....

 And the location of next season's Survivor - Survivor Austin

And a rock that looked like a skull .... maybe the tree monster had something to do with this, or maybe it was Edward Scissorhands the Turtle!!!!!

The girls finally made it to the swings and amid squeals and laughter and "look at me's" they spent an enjoyable twenty minutes of just being kids.  Loved watching them play and interact with each other.

The adults sat on the porch swing style swings under the trees enjoying the day.  













The trees offered us shade and coolness on a very warm day.  The view was peaceful and not at all dramatic...just a lovely place to sit and relax.

More to see along the pathways.....

To soon it was time to head on out, with a quick stop at the gift shop of course.

The flowers and trees were so much prettier than the pavement and orange cones along Mopac.  However, MoPac did lead us to Taco Cabana for a quick dinner before we parted ways and I headed home to my Marti girl.

It was a wonderful day!!!!!