Texas Wildbuds

Spring 2026
More Central Texas

In early May I visited McKinney Falls State Park just southeast of Austin. Like Bastrop and Beuscher parks, everything was green and lush, with many flowers in bloom. I found one new species and shot many other, a few that I’ve posted here.
Following that, a trip to Pedernales Falls State Park and Pace Bend Park yielded a few more
nice shots.

Please contact me if you have any comments or corrections to my IDs. Thank you.

Lower Falls at McKinney Falls State Park

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Acalypha pheleoides
(Shrubby Copperleaf)
6179
Photo Details
Common Name Shrubby Copperleaf
Scientific Name Acalypha pheleoides
(Acalypha lindheimeri)
Family Euphorbiaceae
(Spurge)
Date May 8, 2026
Location Onion Creek Trail, McKinney Falls State Park, Travis County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikkor Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/100 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Calyptocarpus vialis
(Straggler Daisy)
6118
Photo Details
Common Name Straggler Daisy
Scientific Name Calyptocarpus vialis
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date May 5, 2026
Location Onion Creek Trail, McKinney Falls State Park, Travis County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikkor Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Commelina erecta
(Dayflower)
6017
Photo Details
Common Name Dayflower, Widow's Tears
Scientific Name Commelina erecta
Family Commelinaceae
(Spiderwort)
Date May 5, 2026
Location Rock Shelter Trail, McKinney Falls State Park, Travis County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikkor Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/13
Speed 1/60 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Cornus drummondii
(Roughleaf Dogwood)
6044
Photo Details
Common Name Roughleaf Dogwood
Scientific Name Cornus drummondii
Family Cornaceae
(Dogwood)
Date May 5, 2026
Location Near Lower Falls, McKinney Falls State Park, Travis County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikkor Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Coryphanta sulcata
(Nipple Cactus)
08952
Photo Details
Common Name Nipple Cactus, Finger Cactus, Pineapple Cactus
Scientific Name Coryphanta sulcata
Family Cactaceae
(Cactus)
Date May 12, 2026
Location Wolf Mountain Loop, Pedernales Falls State Park, Blanco County
Camera Sony RX100-IV
Lens Leica 24-70 mm f/1.8-2.8
35 mm equivalent
Focal Length 70 mm
Aperture f/9.0
Speed 1/400 sec.
ISO 125
More Photos and Plant Details
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Desmodium paniculatum
(Panicled Tickclover)
6201
Photo Details
Common Name Panicled Tickclover, Panicled Ticktrefoil, Panicled-leaf Ticktrefoil
Scientific Name Desmodium paniculatum
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date May 8, 2026
Location Onion Creek Trail, McKinney Falls State Park, Travis County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikkor Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 170 mm
Aperture f/13
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Ibervillea lindheimeri
(Lindheimer’s Globeberry)
6070
Photo Details
Common Name Lindheimer's Globeberry
Scientific Name Ibervillea lindheimeri
Family Cucurbitaceae
(Gourd)
Date May 5, 2026
Location Rock Shelter Trail, McKinney Falls State Park, Travis County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikkor Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Matelea reticulata
(Pearl Milkweed)
6058
Photo Details
Common Name Green Milkweed Vine, Pearl Milkweed Vine
Scientific Name Matelea reticulata
Family Apocynaceae
(Dogbane)
Date May 5, 2026
Location Rock Shelter Trail, McKinney Falls State Park, Travis County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikkor Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/60 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Melampodium leucanthum
(Blackfoot Daisy)
08945
Photo Details
Common Name Blackfoot Daisy, Plains Daisy
Scientific Name Melampodium leucanthum
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date May 12, 2026
Location Cypress Mill Loop, Pedernales Falls State Park, Blanco County
Camera Sony RX100-IV
Lens Leica 24-70 mm f/1.8-2.8
35 mm equivalent
Focal Length 70 mm
Aperture f/8.0
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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Mimosa texana
(Texas Mimosa)
08902
Photo Details
Common Name Texas Mimosa
Scientific Name Mimosa texana
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date May 12, 2026
Location Cypress Mill Loop, Pedernales Falls State Park, Blanco County
Camera Sony RX100-IV
Lens Leica 24-70 mm f/1.8-2.8
35 mm equivalent
Focal Length 70 mm
Aperture f/4.0
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 125
More Photos and Plant Details
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Mirabilis albida
(White Four O’clock)
6132
Photo Details
Common Name White Four O'clock
Scientific Name Mirabilis albida
Family Nyctaginaceae
(Four O'clock)
Date May 8, 2026
Location Onion Creek Trail, McKinney Falls State Park, Travis County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikkor Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Nolina lindheimeriana
(Devil’s Shoestring)
6083
Photo Details
Common Name Devils Shoestring, Ribbon Grass
Scientific Name Nolina lindheimeriana
Family Asparagaceae
(Asparagus)
Date May 5, 2026
Location Rock Shelter Trail, McKinney Falls State Park, Travis County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikkor Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Oenothera suffulta
(Kisses)
6125
Photo Details
Common Name Kisses, Wild Honeysuckle
Scientific Name Oenothera suffulta
Family Onagraceae
(Evening Primrose)
Date May 5, 2026
Location Cactus Garden Trail, McKinney Falls State Park, Travis County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikkor Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Senna roemeriana
(Two-leaf Senna)
08920
Photo Details
Common Name Two-leaf Senna
Scientific Name Senna roemeriana
(Cassia roemeriana)
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date May 12, 2026
Location Cypress Mill Loop, Pedernales Falls State Park, Blanco County
Camera Sony RX100-IV
Lens Leica 24-70 mm f/1.8-2.8
35 mm equivalent
Focal Length 24 mm
Aperture f/4.0
Speed 1/640 sec.
ISO 125
More Photos and Plant Details
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Solanum elaeagnifolium
(Silverleaf Nightshade)
08907
Photo Details
Common Name Silverleaf Nightshade
Scientific Name Solanum elaeagnifolium
Family Solanaceae
(Nightshade)
Date May 12, 2026
Location Cypress Mill Loop, Pedernales Falls State Park, Blanco County
Camera Sony RX100-IV
Lens Leica 24-70 mm f/1.8-2.8
35 mm equivalent
Focal Length 70 mm
Aperture f/4.0
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 125
More Photos and Plant Details
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Streptanthus petiolaris
(Brazos Rockcress)
6164
Photo Details
Common Name Brazos Rockcress, Brazos Jewelflower
Scientific Name Streptanthus petiolaris
(Arabis petiolaris)
Family Brassicaceae
(Mustard)
Date May 8, 2026
Location Onion Creek Trail, McKinney Falls State Park, Travis County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikkor Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Tradescantia gigantea
(Giant Spiderwort)
6041
Photo Details
Common Name Giant Spiderwort
Scientific Name Tradescantia gigantea
Family Commelinaceae
(Spiderwort)
Date May 5, 2026
Location Rock Shelter Trail, McKinney Falls State Park, Travis County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikkor Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details

Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County

© Tom Lebsack 2026

Every attempt is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and relevant information, but the completeness or accuracy of any information presented on this website cannot be guaranteed. I use authoritative references to insure high standards of accuracy and review and update the information frequently. Please contact me if you find errors.