Texas
Wildbuds

Spring 2024
Piney Woods

After our trip to East Texas last fall we decided to go again in the spring. This time our destination was Martin Creek Lake State Park in Rusk County, southeast of Longview.

There is a large power plant across the lake from the state park, and the lake provides cooling water for it..

 Altogether, we found 10 new species to add to our collection.

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


Martin Lake Power Plant is a 2,250-megawatt coal power plant located southwest of Tatum, Texas, in Rusk County. The plant is owned by Luminant.

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Coreopsis lanceolata
(Lance-leaf Tickseed)
6252
Photo Details
Common Name Lance-leaf Tickseed,
Lance Coreopsis
Scientific Name Coreopsus lanceolata
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date May 8, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/13
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Cyperus echinatus
(Globe Flatsedge)
5872
Photo Details
Common Name Globe Flatsedge
Scientific Name Cyperus echinatus
Family Cyperaceae
(Sedge)
Date May 7, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/11
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 3200
More Photos and Plant Details
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Desmodium glabellum
(Dillenius’ Ticktrefoil)
6205
Photo Details
Common Name Dillenius' Ticktrefoil
Scientific Name Desmodium glabellum
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date May 8, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/20
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 10000
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Erigeron annuus
(Annual Fleabane)
6310
Photo Details
Common Name Annual Fleabane,
Eastern Daisy Fleabane
Scientific Name Erigeron annuus
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date May 8, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 130 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 12800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Geranium dissectum
(Cut-leaf Geranium)
5866
Photo Details
Common Name Cut-leaf Geranium
Scientific Name Geranium dissectum
Family Geraniaceae
(Geranium)
Date May 7, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 2000
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Geum canadense
(White Avens)
6135
Photo Details
Common Name White Avens
Scientific Name Geum canadense
Family Rosaceae
(Rose)
Date May 8, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/60 sec.
ISO
More Photos and Plant Details
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Krigia caespitosa
(Dwarf Dandelion)
6154
Photo Details
Common Name Dwarf Dandelion,
Weedy Dwarfdandelion
Scientific Name Krigia caespitosa
(Krigia oppositifolia)
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date May 8, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 170 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 10000
More Photos and Plant Details
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Mimosa nuttallii
(Nuttall’s Sensitive Briar)
6171
Photo Details
Common Name Nuttall's Sensitive-briar,
Catclaw Sensitive-briar
Scientific Name Mimosa nuttalli
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date May 8, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 170 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 2800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Minuartia muscorum
(Dixie Stitchwort)
5819
Photo Details
Common Name Dixie Stitchwort
Scientific Name Minuartia muscorum
(Arenaria patula var. robusta
Mononeuria muscorum)
Family Caryophyllaceae
(Pink)
Date May 7, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 8000
More Photos and Plant Details
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Oenothera speciosa
(Showy Evening Primrose)
6111
Photo Details
Common Name Showy Evening Primrose
Scientific Name Oenothera speciosa
Family Onagraceae
(Evening Primrose)
Date May 8, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 2500
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Phacelia hirsuta
(Fuzzy Phacelia)
5889
Photo Details
Common Name Fuzzy Phacelia
Scientific Name Phacelia hirsuta
Family Hydrophyllaceae
(Waterleaf)
Date May 7, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 12800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Prunella vulgaris
(Common Selfheal)
5700
Photo Details
Common Name Common Selfheal
Scientific Name Prunella vulgaris
Family Lamiaceae
(Mint)
Date May 7, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/25 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Pyrrhopappus carolinianus
(Carolina False Dandelion)
5784
Photo Details
Common Name Carolina False Dandelion,
Carolina Desert Chicory
Scientific Name Pyrrhopappus carolinianus
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date May 7, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 2800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Ruellia caroliniensis
(Carolina Wild Petunia)
6122
Photo Details
Common Name Carolina Wild Petunia
Scientific Name Ruellia caroliniensis
Family Acanthaceae
(Acanthus)
Date May 8, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 4000
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Ruellia pedunculata
(Stalked Wild Petunia)
6290
Photo Details
Common Name Stalked Wild Petunia
Scientific Name Ruellia pedunculata
Family Acanthaceae
(Acanthus)
Date May 8, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/13 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Rubus trivialus
(Southern Dewberry)
5910
Photo Details
Common Name Southern Dewberry
Scientific Name Rubus trivialis
Family Rosaceae
(Rose)
Date May 7, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/100 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Rumex altissimus
(Pale Dock)
6149
Photo Details
Common Name Pale Dock,
Smooth Dock
Scientific Name Rumex altissimus
Family Polygonaceae
(Buckwheat)
Date May 8, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 4500
More Photos and Plant Details
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Sherardia arvensis
(Field Madder)
5843
Photo Details
Common Name Field Madder
Scientific Name Sherardia arvensis
Family Rubiaceae
(Madder)
Date May 7, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 3600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Sisyrinchium rosulatum
(Annual Blue-eyed Grass)
5900
Photo Details
Common Name Annual Blue-eyed Grass
Scientific Name Sisyrinchium rosulatum
Family Iridaceae
(Iris)
Date May 7, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Stylosanthes biflora
(Pencilflower)
6222
Photo Details
Common Name Pencilflower
Scientific Name Stylosanthes biflora
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date May 8, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 6400
More Photos and Plant Details
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Tradescantia hirsutiflora
(Hairy-flower Spiderwort)
6273
Photo Details
Common Name Hairy-flower Spiderwort
Scientific Name Tradescantia hirsutiflora
Family Commelinaceae
(Spiderwort)
Date May 8, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 160 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 8000
More Photos and Plant Details
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Trifolium campestre
(Field Clover)
5833
Photo Details
Common Name Field Clover,
Low-hop Clover,
Hop Trefoil
Scientific Name Trifolium campestre
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date May 7, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 1800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Trifolium incarnatum
(Crimson Clover)
5759
Photo Details
Common Name Crimson Clover
Scientific Name Trifolium incarnatum
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date May 7, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 4500
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Trifolium resupinatum
(Persian Clover)
6071
Photo Details
Common Name Persian Clover,
Reversed Clover
Scientific Name Trifolium resupinatum
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date May 8, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/20
Speed 1/13 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Valerianella locusta
(Common Cornsalad)
6050
Photo Details
Common Name Common Cornsalad,
Lamb's Lettuce
Scientific Name Valerianella locusta
Family Valerianaceae
(Valerian)
Date May 7, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 135 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 4000
More Photos and Plant Details
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Vicia villosa
(Winter Vetch)
5976/5989
Photo Details
Common Name Winter Vetch
Scientific Name Vicia villosa
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date May 7, 2024
Location Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Kirk Focus Rail
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture Focus stack of 14 images at f/5.6
Speed 1/1250 sec.
ISO 1600
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 2024