It’s dragonfly season here at the Arboretum. Technically dragonflies are here all year, but you can see the greatest diversity of species in the brutal summer heat.

It’s no secret that the Arboretum is a gorgeous piece of wildlife habitat right in the middle of Houston. From birds and bunnies to turtles and snakes, we are home to a wide variety of native species, but that doesn’t mean our grounds are a great place for ALL animals.

I started 2017 with a goal: to see 100 species of birds at the Arboretum in a single year. On Friday, December 15th I finally achieved my goal. I’ve seen everything from American Kestrels to Yellow Warblers. However, some birds stand out as favorites. Here’s my top 10 list of the 100 birds of 2017.