Don't Pick the Bluebonnets?

When I moved to Texas, I was informed that there are some interesting rules that apply only in Texas.  For example, the State flag is the only flag that can fly as high as the US flag, we can secede from the Union whenever we want, and no one is permitted to pick Bluebonnets because it's illegal to pick the state flower.  The last rule about not picking bluebonnets has always made me wonder how it is that people across the state manage to park their cars along highways and take family photos in the bluebonnets without getting into trouble.  Doesn't it seem like some bluebonnets are going to get smashed or suffocated during these photo sessions?  Can these people get tickets for disturbing the bluebonnets?

For years, I've wanted to take family photos in the bluebonnets but wasn't sure how legal the process was.  So let me dispel a huge Texas myth: According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, it is NOT illegal to pick the Texas bluebonnets.  However, it is illegal to trespass and to disturb large portions of state property (like in medians.) But it is not illegal to sit on bluebonnets, take pictures in the bluebonnets, or to pick them.  So if you're thinking about taking family photos in the fields around the airport or in front of a business, beware that you can be ticketed for trespassing--just not for damaging our state flower.

Fortunately for our family, we don't have to trespass to enjoy photos in the flowers.  Some neighbor very smartly must have dropped bluebonnet seeds in our neighborhood's common area greenbelt, because we've started seeing large patches of bluebonnets for the last few years.  And this year, I finally got some photos.  Too bad my subjects weren't as interested in taking pictures as I was.  But aren't they cute?

So the next time you hear a tall tale from a Texan, be sure to check it out before believing it.  And hopefully you too can enjoy the bluebonnets this year.  Just be sure to have some Shout on hand, because I also learned that bluebonnets leave a nice blue stain on clothes! (Thankfully, I was able to Shout it out!)