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Thread: Best time for Texas?

  1. #1
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    Default Best time for Texas?

    Hi there,
    I am planning a photography trip to Texas next spring.
    I'll have about 14 Days and want to travel to the best Spots for bird photography.
    I'll visit High Island to see the migrants and now I am wondering, which time of spring will be the best?
    Is in in March or April?
    As I am very busy in my job, I have to plan the trip now.
    Can you please help me?
    Thanx alot!
    Rose

  2. #2
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    Peak migration is around April 20 on the Texas coast. Some of the birds that stay and breed in Texas, like the Painted Bunting, just start to show up about then. They are even better in May.

    Make sure to visit some of the south Texas photo ranches. Your experience will be more rewarding than fighting for space at a public park.

    I'll be offering a tour during this time, as well as private days anytime.

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    -is there anything specific that you're after or are you coming here for the first time?
    -migration starts in march and extends though may, with the mid to last part of april being the best time to see the most species and get the weather right for a fall-out
    -as far as high island, i'd recommend going further up the coast to the louisiana/texas border. there's a few sanctuaries on both sides of the border that don't get the amount of people but can still be great
    -i have yet to visit the lens and land properties in south texas but they really are worth a look. here's a link that gives some info on various ones. do note that the lensandland.com site apparently isn't working anymore. http://www.birdsasart.com/bn152.htm

    feel free to pm me if you're interested in the louisiana/texas locations. good luck!

    Matt

  4. #4
    icephotojim
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    Rose, that is really a wide-open question. Texas is a huge state. 14 days might cover a couple of major geographic areas, but you're not going to catch them all.

    On Matthew's point, I'm going to recommend my Google Map (http://g.co/maps/ra3ht) that has a significant number of blinds on public and private lands. I know I don't have them all, but the list is long and distinguished and I include web links where they exist. Lens and Land has disappeared, but many of the ranches that were part of Lens and Land still offer blind rentals. Another resource comes from TX Parks & Wildlife (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild...ldlife-trails/) and suggested itineraries for wildlife viewing.

    I will concur with Jeff that shooting from blinds in ranches is an awesome experience. My only warning will be if you have not shot for an entire day in a blind (which really consists of a morning session and an afternoon session with a break while the light of midday is just so-so), it is a tiring experience if you're doing things right and thinking about each shot.

    -jim

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    I can't tell you anything, firsthand, about when to photograph birds in Texas. However, here are a couple links that might help you.
    http://www.cardinalphoto.com/content...hop-april-2012
    http://www.cardinalphoto.com/content...rivate-ranches

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    Default Texas

    I live in south east Texas near the Louisiana border. The best place is near Sabine Pass Texas. There are a few places to see and there is only one road in and out. Go to the four way stop sign and turn right then go about four miles and on the right side of the road you will see a patch of woods and a sign for the Autobahn Society. You enter there and walk the many trails, you will see all the migratory birds. I go there now to see Hawks and Owls. Also you can continue down to the end of the road to the beach.
    John....
    Last edited by John Davenport; 01-22-2012 at 12:00 AM. Reason: spelling

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