Huntsville State Park is located an hour north of downtown Houston, TX. The park encompasses more than 2,000 acres and is mostly covered in a dense forest of pine trees. Visitors can enjoy an array of activities, including camping, fishing, kayaking, swimming, and wildlife photography.
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is located in Los Fresnos, Texas, which is about 30 minutes from South Padre Island. The wildlife refuge is famous because it is one of the last designated conservation areas for the ocelot in the United States. Although ocelots frequent the park, visitors rarely have the chance to see these little leopards.
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best kept secrets in Texas. This wildlife refuge is tucked away in the city of Alamo, near the border of Mexico and the United States. In fact, the Rio Grande runs along the southern border of the sanctuary.
Galveston Island is located on the Texas Gulf Coast, approximately fifty miles from downtown Houston. The island is famous for many reasons, including deep sea fishing, Moody Gardens, historic architecture, and the infinite seawall. However, 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.
