Texas Wildbuds

Spring 2023
South Texas

We ventured to the wide-open spaces of the Southern Texas Plains eco-region southwest of San Antonio. To our pleasant surprise we found the very inviting Choke Canyon State Park. The park borders the good-sized Choke Canyon reservoir with three sections. We chose the south unit. The Frio River supplies the water for the reservoir.

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Aphanostephus ramosissimus
(Plains Dozedaisy)
8350
Photo Details
Common Name Plains Dozedaisy
Scientific Name Aphanostephanus ramosissimus
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen 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! Chloracantha spinosa
(Spiny Chlorantha)
8635
Photo Details
Common Name Spiny Chlorantha
Scientific Name Chlorantha spinosa
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date April 25, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen 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 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Cirsium texanum
(Texas Thistle)
8196
Photo Details
Common Name Texas Thistle
Scientific Name Cirsium texanum
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 82 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/500 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Cordia boissieri
(Texas Olive)
8366
Photo Details
Common Name Texas Olive
Scientific Name Cordia boissieri
Family Cordiaceae
(Cordia)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 70 mm
Aperture f/20
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Cyperus odoratus
(Fragrant Flatsedge)
8212
Photo Details
Common Name Fragrant Flatsedge, Rusty Flatsedge
Scientific Name Cyperus odoratus
Family Cyperaceae
(Sedge)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/1000 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Daucus pusillus
(American Wild Carrot)
8483
Photo Details
Common Name American Wild Carrot, Rattlesnake Weed
Scientific Name Daucus pusillus
Family Apiaceae
(Parsley)
Date April 25, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen 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 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Diaperia verna
(Spring Pygmy Cudweed))
8533
Photo Details
Common Name Spring Pygmy-cudweed, Spring Rabbit-tobacco
Scientific Name Diaperia verna (Evax verna)
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date April 25, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen 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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Evolvulus alsinoides
(Slender Dwarf Morning-glory)
8641
Photo Details
Common Name Slender Dwarf Morning-glory
Scientific Name Evolvulus alsinoides
Family Convolvulaceae
(Morning Glory)
Date April 25, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen 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 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Funastrum cynanchoides
(Climbing Milkweed)
8128
Photo Details
Common Name Climbing Milkweed, Fringed Twinevine
Scientific Name Funastrum cynanchoides
(Sarcostemma cynanchoides var. cynanchoides)
Family Apocynaceae
(Dogbane)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 70 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/100 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Glandularia quadrangulata
(Beaked Mock Vervain)
8188
Photo Details
Common Name Beaked Mock Vervain
Scientific Name Glandularia quadrangulata (Verbena quadrangulata)
Family Verbenaceae
(Verbena)
Date April 25, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen 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 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Justicia pilosella
(Gregg’s Tube-tongue)
8397
Photo Details
Common Name Gregg's Tube-tongue, Tube-tongue
Scientific Name Justicia pilosella
(Siphonoglossa pilosella)
Family Acanthaceae
(Acanthus)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Lantana horrida
(Texas Lantana)
8299
Photo Details
Common Name Texas Lantana, Calico Bush
Scientific Name Lantana horrida
(Lantana urticoides)
Family Verbenaceae
(Verbena)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 135 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Lithospermum matamorense
(Rough Stoneseed)
8569
Photo Details
Common Name Rough Stoneseed, Rough Gromwell
Scientific Name Lithospermum matamorense
Family Boraginaceae
(Forget-me-not)
Date April 25, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/13
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Monarda punctata
(Spotted Beebalm)
8453
Photo Details
Common Name Spotted Beebalm
Scientific Name Monarda punctata
Family Lamiaceae
(Mint)
Date April 25, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 95 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Nama hispida
(Sand Bells)
8517
Photo Details
Common Name Sand Bells, Bristly Nama
Scientific Name Nama hispida
(Nama hispidum)
Family Boraginaceae
(Forget-me-not)
Date April 25, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/60 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Nicotiana repanda
(Fiddleleaf Tobacco)
8580
Photo Details
Common Name Fiddleleaf Tobacco
Scientific Name Nicotiana repanda
Family Solanaceae
(Nightshade)
Date April 25, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen 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 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Parkinsonia aculeata
(Mexica Paloverder)
8111
Photo Details
Common Name Mexican Paloverde, Paloverde, Jerusalem Thorn, Retama
Scientific Name Parkinsonia aculeata
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen 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 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Persicaria pensylvanica
(Pennsylvania Smartweed)
8272
Photo Details
Common Name Pennsylvania Smartweed
Scientific Name Persicaria pensylvanica
(Polygonum pensylvanicum)
Family Polygonaceae
(Buckwheat)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/500 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Plantago rhodosperma
(Redseed Plantain)
8144
Photo Details
Common Name Redseed Plantain
Scientific Name Plantago rhodosperma
Family Plantaginaceae
(Plantain)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen 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 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Pluchea odorata
(Sweetscent)
8245
Photo Details
Common Name Sweetscent, Marsh Fleabane
Scientific Name Pluchea odorata
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/640 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Salvia ballotiflora
(Shrubby Blue Sage)
8460
Photo Details
Common Name Shrubby Blue Sage
Scientific Name Salvia ballotiflora
Family Lamiaceae
(Mint)
Date April 25, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 95 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/30 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Salvia coccinea
(Tropical Sage)
8333
Photo Details
Common Name Tropical Sage
Scientific Name Salvia coccinea
Family Lamiaceae
(Mint)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 82 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Senecio ampullaceus
(Texas Ragwort)
8411
Photo Details
Common Name Texas Ragwort
Scientific Name Senecio ampullaceus
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen 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 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Stachys crenata
(Mouse’s Ear)
9162
Photo Details
Common Name Mouse's Ear, Shade Betony
Scientific Name Stachys crenata
Family Lamiaceae
(Mint)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen 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 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Verbena plicata
(Fanleaf Vervain)
8352
Photo Details
Common Name Fanleaf Vervain
Scientific Name Verbena plicata
Family Verbenaceae
(Verbena)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/125sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Verbesina encelioides
(Golden Crownbeard)
8447
Photo Details
Common Name Golden Crownbeard, Cowpen Daisy
Scientific Name Verbesina encelioides
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date April 24, 2023
Location Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 122 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 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 2025