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Spring has sprung, and it's time to get out and enjoy Texas' most famous flower: the bluebonnet. Getting your photos with Central Texas' beloved bluebonnets, also known as Buffalo Clovers and Wolf Flowers, is one of those golden activities that even COVID-19 can't touch.
These blooming beauties are so loved by Texans we made them the state flower, but they only last from mid-March to mid-April. The countdown is ticking, so get out and see them while you still can. Here are some of the most picture-perfect places to pose in and around Austin.
Best Scenery: Capitol of Texas Highway
(sbmeaper1/CC)
It may be one of the most popular spots for photos in Texas, but the bluebonnets will give you the excuse to post all the 360 bridge photos your heart desires. Nestled in the heart of the rolling Hill Country, this area is the perfect blend of city and countryside to give you that "outdoorsy" look, and the location's height and range will also give you stunning depth of field while you shoot. Don't forget to take in the views while you're there, even if you've seen them 100 times before.
Best backdrop: Lady Bird Lake
Getting your photos in front of the skyline and surrounded by the state flower is about as Austin as it gets, and a true Austinite will take every chance they can get to spend the day at Lady Bird Lake. With a long trail to walk along, there are angles galore to explore. This spot juxtaposes flourishing nature with the big, bustling city at once-showcasing Austin's versatility. When you're done snapping, you can hop in the lake to escape that blistering heat.
Most secluded: Old Settlers Park
You'll have to get out of town for this photo spot, but it will be worth it. With patches of bluebonnets across the sprawling greenery, making the drive out to Old Settlers Park is a great way to make an event of the annual growth. Grab your loved ones and furry friends for a picnic and spend the day in the sun. Your final photos will reflect the fun and you'll thank yourself for it!
Most variety: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
At the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the bluebonnets are in full bloom and share the spotlight with myriad other wildflowers and native trees of Texas. Get your yearly bluebonnet photos captured while enjoying all the beautiful flowers that the workers at the center maintain year-round. This spot will give you more variety in your photos and you might learn something as well while you're there.
Most Texan: Texas Capitol
Want everyone to know you're from Texas? Head to the Texas Capitol building's massive lawn and send the message that you love the Lone Star State to everyone on your friend list. The historic dome, luscious surrounding trees, statues and architecture will add an interesting element to your snaps instead of just posing in a field. As a bonus, head over in the early morning while the dew still glistens on the grass or during golden hour for the best effects.
What are you waiting for? The bluebonnets only stick around for a little while!
Popular
Tinder use soared alongside other popular dating apps during the pandemic and is expected to continue to grow.
What may be more intriguing, however, is that many apps anticipate more growth into 2022. Hinge expects to double its revenue by the end of 2021, while Tinder has announced several new features to meet new demands in time for what some are calling a "third surge" of COVID-19.
Vaccinated Austinites who had been eager for "Shot Girl Summer"—a season of in-person dating, going out and making up for time lost—may have to get back on the apps, at least partially, as cases rise higher than they've been since February and mask recommendations reenter the picture.
Austin-area resident Chloe Mohr, a 22-year-old recent college graduate, had sometimes used Tinder before the pandemic. While the app wasn't a supplemental replacement for deeper connections during stay-at-home orders, it did help her stay in the dating game and continue meeting new people.
"Using dating apps during the pandemic was easy when wanting something casual or entertaining," Mohr, who now works in marketing, said.
Chloe Mohr turned to Tinder more during the pandemic to stay connected to people. (Chloe Mohr)
Sixty percent of members came to Tinder because they felt lonely and wanted to connect with people, a Tinder study revealed, and chats were 32% longer during the pandemic.
But dating during a pandemic is no walk in the park when there's fear about contracting COVID, Mohr said. She had fears at the beginning
Tinder, Bumble, Hinge and OkCupid have responded to the new dating criteria, adding vaccination badges to profiles in partnership with U.S. and British governments.
In order to meet the demand for a stricter screening process and the superficial nature of swiping, Tinder has also introduced new features that allow users to add videos to their profiles and chat with others before they've even matched.
The new add-ons could be beneficial for the app as interest continues to swell—Google searches for "dating" have hit a five-year high, according to NPR.
But the future of dating could be vastly different—and stay different—even well into the next decade.
According to a Ypulse study, 43% of dating app users said the apps made them feel less lonely in the pandemic. Even post-pandemic, 40% of Tinder users say they plan on video-chatting with their matches before they meet, and being honest, authentic and respecting boundaries have become big talk on the app in the past year.
While it's unclear how the pandemic will shape dating for good, signs show that Austin residents and those nationwide may lean on dating apps once again if social distancing returns to the norm.
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