There are thousands of interesting parks found throughout the great state of Texas. Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve is just one of those parks. The park is located about 15 minutes from downtown Austin. It covers roughly 20 acres and includes a historic cottage, water lily ponds, and beautiful gardens. Because of its natural beauty, people often use the park to celebrate special events like business conferences and weddings.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area for native Texas wildlife that spans more than 100,000 acres. The refuge is located between Corpus Christi and Port O’Connor in the city of Austwell, Texas. Hundreds of native birds, mammals, and reptiles are found at the sanctuary throughout the year.
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. It’s tucked away in the city of Alamo, near the border of Texas and Mexico. As a result, the Rio Grande runs along the southern border of the sanctuary. Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is one of the great hidden gems of Texas.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley consists of a unique ecosystem that houses some of the most exotic animals in the state. Therefore, the refuge attracts wildlife enthusiasts from around the world. A few common animals that can be found in this lower region of Texas include the green jay, ocelot, and plain chachalaca.
Galveston Island is located along the Texas Gulf Coast, about 50 miles from downtown Houston. The island is a popular tourist attraction for many reasons, including deep sea fishing, Moody Gardens, historic architecture, and the infinite seawall. However, many photographers and wildlife lovers visit this coastal city to see the birds of Galveston Island.
Throughout the year, the Houston Audubon Raptor & Education Center hosts several events. One of the most popular events is the Houston Audubon Raptor Photography Shoot. This program is geared towards adults and provides individuals with the chance to photograph hawks, falcons, and owls up close.
The Texas City Dike is a 5.3-mile-long fishing pier that stretches out into Galveston Bay. Due to its length, it’s commonly referred to as the world’s longest man-made fishing pier. As its name suggests, the fishing pier is located in Texas City. The dike resides in Galveston County about 15 minutes east of I-45 North FWY.
Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary is a refuge that was set aside as a bird conservation area. The sanctuary is located near State Highway 87, along Rettilon Road in Bolivar Peninsula, Texas. This land is owned and managed by the Houston Audubon and is recognized as a Globally Important Bird Area. An Important Bird Area or IBA is a piece of land that uses an international set of criteria to help with bird conservation.
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is an extraordinary place for wildlife photography in Texas. This hidden gem is located an hour from downtown Houston, near the city of Lake Jackson. Due to its close proximity to the Gulf Coast, the refuge is famous for having more water than land. Therefore, it provides a unique habitat for numerous types of wildlife.
Brazos Bend State Park is located in Needville, Texas, just an hour from downtown Houston. The park resides in Fort Bend County and lies twenty minutes west of State Highway 288. Nature lovers from around the world visit this state park to enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and even horseback riding. Although visitors can enjoy numerous activities, wildlife photography is one of the most popular.
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge consists of 37,000 acres of public land that was set aside to conserve native plants and animals along the Texas Gulf Coast. This land is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, which is managed by the USFWS or United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The wildlife sanctuary is located an hour from downtown Houston, in Chambers County, TX.
