I'm in Houston for Christmas and would like suggestions for good bird photography locations. I've already been to Brazos Bend SP and Anahuac NWR, both were great.
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays
-Dylan
Posted by David Sparks on December 25, 2007 at 6:51 AM
This is a link to Birding Locations of the upper Texas Coast
http://www.texasbirding.net/location.htm#anahuac
If you have time, I recommend Bolivar Flats Bird Sanctuary. I was last there in August (2007), not the best time, with a storm brewing in the Gulf, in the middle of the day, not at low tide and still saw some interesting birds. http://picasaweb.google.com/dlsparks/BolivarFlats_August07
Some other related links I've saved
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/chekbird/r2/galvesto.htm
http://www.natura-aviflora.com/Bolivar.html
Two other locations that we like are Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge and San Bernard NWR. Both are in the same general area as Brazos Bend, so not a very long drive from Houston. I second David's recommendation for Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary. Drive to Galveston and take the ferry across the bay to Bolivar Peninsula.
Charlie beat me to it about the San Bernard NWR. For that, though, you will really need a long lens and a window mount on a car. Best bets are on a slough on a drive around loop. We have seen everything from Scissor Tails, Peregrine Falcons, Belted Kingfishers and Bald Eagles.
Back north of the Bolivar Flats is the Anahuac NWR which is also worth a visit. Like San Bernard, you will need a long lens on a window mount. There is also a blind, but we did not see much there in our one visit.
If you are stuck in town, try the Edith L. Moore Sanctuary which is 17 acres and the headquarters of Houston Audubon. One problem, though, may be the number of people around. Also, Houston Audubon's website http://www.houstonaudubon.org lists several other sanctuaries around the area.
Discussion
3 repliesThanks for any and all suggestions.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays
-Dylan
http://www.texasbirding.net/location.htm#anahuac
If you have time, I recommend Bolivar Flats Bird Sanctuary. I was last there in August (2007), not the best time, with a storm brewing in the Gulf, in the middle of the day, not at low tide and still saw some interesting birds. http://picasaweb.google.com/dlsparks/BolivarFlats_August07
Some other related links I've saved
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/chekbird/r2/galvesto.htm
http://www.natura-aviflora.com/Bolivar.html
David Sparks
Two other locations that we like are Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge and San Bernard NWR. Both are in the same general area as Brazos Bend, so not a very long drive from Houston. I second David's recommendation for Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary. Drive to Galveston and take the ferry across the bay to Bolivar Peninsula.
Hope you enjoy your visit. Merry Christmas!
Charlie
Back north of the Bolivar Flats is the Anahuac NWR which is also worth a visit. Like San Bernard, you will need a long lens on a window mount. There is also a blind, but we did not see much there in our one visit.
If you are stuck in town, try the Edith L. Moore Sanctuary which is 17 acres and the headquarters of Houston Audubon. One problem, though, may be the number of people around. Also, Houston Audubon's website http://www.houstonaudubon.org lists several other sanctuaries around the area.