Urgent suggestions for Birding in Houston, Please

[mahasuresh]

All:

I have an urgent trip to Houston this weekend. I am looking for any good spots for Bird photography in and around Houston. Also can you tell me what birds i can see in those locations? I am from Plano, TX and hence i have no idea on what to look for in Houston for birding.

I really appreciate all your help!

Thanks
Suresh

[Flores]

Brazos Bend State Park is a winner. Also the parks in Galveston or Surfside.

depends on how much you want to drive.

[Flores]

or you can 'cheat' and go to moody gardens rain forest pyramid :) pay for your ticket, and you will have more wild life in one spot than you know what to do with.

[mahasuresh]

Flores:

Thanks for the prompt response.

I am fine for an hour drive. Can you give me specific areas in Galveston and Surfside so that i can look up on internet. I understand i can get some shore birds in Galveston. Any ideas?

Thanks
Suresh

Originally Posted by Flores

Brazos Bend State Park is a winner. Also the parks in Galveston or Surfside.

depends on how much you want to drive.

[Flores]

the brown pelicans are fishing hard in galveston right now.



I think there is someone from clear lake that comes on here in the evening... he can probably tell you the best 'spot'.

but anywhere on the beach is fine for shore birds. esp first thing in the AM (the sun comes up over the gulf, so you get some killer sun rises)

[mahasuresh]

Flores:

I would love to go out and shoot, not to the moody gardens. Looking for your advice.

[sandboa]

Search some of the hundreds (thousands??) of posts here about Brazos Bend State Park. I think it is probably your best bet for freshwater marsh birds.
Galveston is great as well, but Brazos Bend is easier to find good opportunities. And the Brazos Bend birds are used to people with large glass eyes and tripods for legs walking up and going click, click, click to them repeatedly. Galveston birds are quite a bit more wild and unforgiving.

[scottbuckel]

If you want to stay in the city there is Herman Park as well.

The east end of Galveston Island can be good as well. I think it is listed as East Beach on the maps.

In Galveston you can go to San Luis Pass - the extreme west end of the island - can be shot from your car if you do now mind driving the area as some of it is very soft and sandy. That is likely to be more than one hour drive though. Bryan Beach in Surfside is good, but a long drive. I expect that Brazos Bend is more than one hour as well.

Scott

[Flores]

it also depends where in houston your staying at. all the places we are talking about are south and east of houston. Most are between 50 and 60 miles out of town. brazoria and galveston county are some of the most species diverse places in north america for birds.

[mahasuresh]

i am staying in Pearland. Please advise.

[Flores]

Challenger 7 Memorial Park is the closest park that might have what your looking for, If you don't find any good shots, it will be quick to move on from (27 min):

Pearland, TX to Challenger 7 Memorial Park - Google Maps

Brazos Bend State Park is probably next closest, and has the easiest areas to shoot from. Just watch out for the gators (58 minutes):

Pearland, TX to Brazos Bend State Park - Google Maps

There is also Galveston Island State Park (65 minutes):

Pearland, TX to Galveston Island State Park - Google Maps

Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge (2 hour drive) :

Pearland, TX to Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge - Google Maps

[dalepa]

Skimmers at sunrise in Quintana... Don't be late or you will miss them...


Here's the map

Flickr: Explore Dan Pancamo's photos on the map


Black Skimmer Colors by Dan Pancamo, on Flickr

[Flores]

One of these days I'm gonna greet the sun out there, Dan. :D such a drive from sugar land, though, esp since BBSP is on the way!

[dalepa]

unlike BBSP, you will be all alone in Quintana...

Isn't BBSP all dry now? Quintana is almost a desert this summer.

Originally Posted by Flores

One of these days I'm gonna greet the sun out there, Dan. :D such a drive from sugar land, though, esp since BBSP is on the way!

[scottbuckel]

Every place I go is really really dry right now. We need rain as it will improve our photos! I'm tired of the desert look!

Scott