Archive for the ‘Field Trips’ Category

Birding the Devils River

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Guides: John Karges & Dr. Selma Glasscock
Date: April 29 through May 1
Location: Devils River State Natural Area in Val Verde County
Registration fees (includes food and housing): Bunkhouse $90/$115; Camping $70/$95

The Devils River is a gem of Texas. Its waters, not easily accessible, bubble up at the headwaters—crisp and clean—and eventually flow into Amistad Reservoir, an impoundment of the Rio Grande.

Habitat along the river provides a home to such bird species as the Green Kingfisher, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Kiskadee, and the Black-Capped Vireo. If you are a birder, or simply a lover of nature, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to bird, butterfly, or simply enjoy the Devils River.

John Karges of The Nature Conservancy and Dr. Selma Glasscock of the Welder Wildlife Foundation will be our birding guides.

This trip is currently full. Call 432.364.2499 if you are interested in being put on the waiting list.

Posted in Birds, Butterflies, Events, Field Trips | 1 Comment »

Pictographs of Big Bend Ranch State Park

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Date: February 12, 2011
Time: 9 AM
Place: Big Bend Ranch State Park
Registration Fees: $65 members; $75 nonmembers

For thousands of years, people have lived along the Rio Grande and in the spring-fed canyons leading down to the river. They left their stories painted on the rock walls in a visual language that we struggle to decipher—but still find fascinating.

On this field trip, we’ll hike into a canyon seldom seen by park visitors. Along the way, we’ll explore the plants, animals, and geology of the canyon with Texas Parks and Wildlife Interpretive Ranger Blaine Hall.

Our ultimate destination? A spectacular set of pictographs representing humans on horseback, longhorn cattle, missions, and other evidence of the coming of Europeans to the Big Bend region.

The hike is approximately 6 miles round trip and covers some fairly rough terrain. We’ll leave from the trailhead at 9 AM and return in the late afternoon.

A portion of the registration fees goes to support Big Bend Ranch State Park. The trip is limited to 15 people.

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