Exploring Nature:
South Texas Natural History Trip - Sunday, March 28- Friday, April 2, 2010
The south Texas Rio Grande Valley is the most exotic bioregion in Texas and perhaps of all the states. The striking and distinctive combination of coastal, subtropical, and semi-arid habitats supports a great diversity of wildlife and plants. The “Valley” has acclaim from birders the world over for its diversity of birds with almost 500 species recorded, and at least 40 that occur no where else in the U.S. This region is the northern range of several species of birds normally thought of as tropical species, like the vibrantly colored Green Jay, the strikingly patterned Great Kiskadee, the diminutive Green Kingfisher as well as the enormous Ringed Kingfisher, and the noisy Plain Chachalaca. But birds are not the only natural attraction – this area shares equal status in the butterfly world with approximately the same number of species recorded here as in all of the combined Eastern United States! The town of Mission is home to the North American Butterfly Center.
Our trip will include Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, the largest protected area of natural habitat left in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Its 45,000 acres are home to the Ocelot, Texas tortoise, javelina, many species of shorebirds, and the rare and beautiful Aplomado Falcon. We will also visit several other unique natural areas such as Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Bentsen State Park, Frontera Audubon, and Sabal Palm Audubon Center, home to the last remaining Palm Forest in North America. On the way south, we will tour the 825,000 acre King Ranch to learn about the early history of the Ranch, the wildlife, and the contributions it has made to South Texas. We will also visit the King Ranch Museum to see historical artifacts from various periods of the ranch’s history.
Nature Photography
As an added bonus, we will be accompanied by Greg Lavaty, one of Houston’s best wildlife photographers. Greg will demonstrate some of his special techniques for capturing the perfect wildlife photograph.
Our trip will not be a hectic, fast passed effort to see the entire Valley; instead we will take time to savor, appreciate, and photograph the wonders that we discover in a relaxed and casual manner.
ITINERARY:
Sunday, March 28: Depart Houston and arrive at the King Ranch. Afternoon tour and proceed to McAllen.
Monday, March 29: Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
Tuesday, March 30: South Padre Island and Sabal Palm Audubon Center
Wednesday, March 31: Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge and Frontera Audubon
Thursday, April 01: Bentson Rio Grande State Park and the World Birding Center.
Friday, April 02: Return to Houston.
TRIP LEADERS:
Bill Eley is Program Development Director at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center and has over 30 years of experience birding the Gulf Coast, Mexico, and South America, and has been to Big Bend numerous times. He is the former Conservation Science Director at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory.
Bill received his B.A. in Anthropology and his M.S. in Zoology from Louisiana State University, where he participated in four separate scientific expeditions to Peru with the Museum of Natural Science.
Glenn Olsen has had a lifelong interest in nature, primarily birds and plants. He is a member and past president of the Native Plant Society of Texas and a member and past Vice President of Education for the Houston Audubon Society. Glenn actively leads birding and nature tours throughout Texas and other states. He has lead field trips for Houston Audubon, the Texas Ornithological Society, and the Katy Prairie Conservancy in addition to his private tours. In 2008 he organized and co-led a trip to the Galapagos Islands and other parts of Ecuador. Glenn teaches landscaping, plant identification, and bird identification classes for Rice University's Continuing Education Department, the Houston Audubon Society, and the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center.
Greg Lavaty is one of the best nature photographers in Texas, with a special skill in photographing birds. He has taught nature photography classes at the Arboretum including Macro Photography, Photographing Birds and Photographing Birds in Flight. His work can be found in print publications as well as many web sites. View his photo gallery here.
COST and RESERVATIONS
The cost of the trip is $1295 for Arboretum members, and $1395 for non-members, double occupancy. For single occupancy, add $300. These fees include all transportation, lodging, fees, guide services and breakfast each day.
Registration deadline is March 12. A maximum of 12 on trip. A $500 deposit is required when reservations are made. Full payment is due by March 12.
TERMS
The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is responsible for arrangements including payments to suppliers, described in the itinerary of this trip. The Arboretum has no responsibility for delays, including delayed departures and arrivals, loss, damage or injury to persons or property, mechanical defects, failure or negligence in connection with any accommodations, transportation, or other services, for substitutions of hotel or other common carrier beyond their control and for any additional expense incurred thereby. Acceptance of these terms by the traveler is indicated by his or her registration.
Questions or wish to register? Contact Bill Eley via email or 713-366-0379.
