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Suggestions for places to shoot on upcoming Southern Texas trip
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Jan 11, 2019 13:14:47   #
BillO Loc: Eastern Shore Maryland
 
eadler wrote:
You're right about big. It's actually the largest of all the national parks. Didn't realize it was that far from from San Antonio.

In San Antonio there is restaurant atop a very high Tower. (I can't recall the name) Great views/photos plus a good meal


Well actually, Big Bend is NOT the largest National Park. It is a just little over 800,000 acres.
It isn't even in the Top 12.
The largest is Wrangell-St. Elias, Alaska (8,323,146.48 acres)
The largest in CONUS is Death Valley, California (3,373,063.14 acres)

Big Bend is magnificent none the less, and not to be missed!
( Retired from the NPS and have worked at 5 and visited over 200 National Park sites)

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Jan 11, 2019 16:05:13   #
Shutterbug57
 
newsguygeorge wrote:
Those are a very long way from South Texas. A totally separate trip. Google maps is your friend to assess some of those distances.

I can't add to the suggestions in the San Antonio-Rockport areas for birding. Folks covered those bases pretty well. I also recommend Corpus/South Padre. Since you're birding, you may want to consider a long lens and some friends run Corpus Christi Camera and they rent lenses.


https://cctxcamera.com/


OP says he has 3 days to go where he wants. Big Bend is an easy side trip with that time. If he is a astronomy buff, McDonald Observatory is well worth the side trip as well. As far as being in south Texas, Big Bend is about as far south as San Antonio. I have done this trip and would gladly do it again. It was well worth it, however, my tolerance for driving/riding may be higher than yours. I did this on a 14 day trip and day 1 was Cincinnati to Ft. Worth and the last day was Denver to Cincinnati. Shooting over to Big Bend for a 3 day excursion is not a big deal.

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Jan 11, 2019 16:06:41   #
Batman Loc: South-Central Texas
 
larryepage wrote:
Others will chime in here, but I suggest the Botanical Garden, San Antonio Zoo, Japanese Tea Garden (adjacent to the zoo), Institute of Texas Culture are all worth a visit. I had a good experience visiting the Alamo after dark, after the crowds left. That was several years ago and during the busier time. You will need to assess whether that is a good and safe idea this time of year. The climate in San Antonio is very temperate; some years do not see a significant freeze, but February will not be best for outside vegetation. The Botanical Garden has several large conservatories with lots of specimens in climate controlled indoor environments. There are several small towns out from San Antonio that are worth a visit, including Fredericksburg, Gruen, Stonewall, and others, and places like Enchanted Rock can be worth a visit also. Hopefully some folks from the area will have some more options...
Others will chime in here, but I suggest the Botan... (show quote)


As you stand outside in front of the massive wooden doors of the Alamo, take a peek behind the left door,
at a small bronze plaque on the wall that tells the Alamo story completely in just a very few words, it reads,

"Speak softly Friend. Here, heroes died, to blaze the trail for other men."

Then, wipe your eyes and go into the old chapel...and feel the story.

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Jan 11, 2019 21:06:36   #
Billynikon2
 
Take a side trip to Austin.

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Jan 11, 2019 22:23:36   #
IDguy Loc: Idaho
 
Apparantly the Alamo is one of the few National Somethings that isn't closed for the government shutdown. Check before you go.

But some other places are closed: https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-mission-may-be-closed-but-the-13487849.php

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Jan 12, 2019 00:44:44   #
SteveR Loc: Michigan
 
The best way to see the Whooping Cranes is to take a boat out of Rockport into Aransas Bay. A good zoom on a crop camera will get some good photos (mine are on my other computer which needs repair). The whoopers will come close to the bank of the bay. Others will be further away. However, whooping cranes aren't the only birds in the Bay. We had a good boat captain who was able to spot them and point them out to us before we ever could.

Just north of San Antonio on the way to Austin is Animal World and Snake Farm in New Braunfels. It's well worth the visit.

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Jan 12, 2019 01:44:55   #
larryepage Loc: North Texas area
 
IDguy wrote:
Apparantly the Alamo is one of the few National Somethings that isn't closed for the government shutdown. Check before you go.

But some other places are closed: https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-mission-may-be-closed-but-the-13487849.php


The Alamo is a state entity and is not subject to any federal government limitations.

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Jan 12, 2019 05:07:07   #
BillO Loc: Eastern Shore Maryland
 
IDguy wrote:
Apparantly the Alamo is one of the few National Somethings that isn't closed for the government shutdown. Check before you go.

But some other places are closed: https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-mission-may-be-closed-but-the-13487849.php


Yea , what he said....
Many (including the media) do not realize that the Alamo site is NOT a National Park site and not owned or managed in any part by the federal government. It is privately held and managed by local funds and historical NGO's.

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Jan 12, 2019 13:07:37   #
mitchumky
 
If not on this trip, on some future trip to Texas, I would highly recommend an excursion to Big Bend National Park. Wildlife and landscapes are plentiful and beautiful. I won’t guarantee your luck, but I saw Golden Eagles, Roadrunners, Peccary, and more. Sunset/sunrise over the rim of a caldera are spectacular.

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Jan 12, 2019 16:31:32   #
AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC
 
eadler wrote:
If you want to drive a little try Big Bend National Park (if the gov't shut down ends). It's right on the Rio Grande River.


I appreciate this, but have already been to Big Bend, and it is a bit too far from where I am going to be. Wonderful Park though.

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Jan 12, 2019 16:32:30   #
AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC
 
Shutterbug57 wrote:
Side trips to Big Bend and McDonald Observatory.


Been to both of them, plus Ft. Davis on a trip 2 years ago. Interesting country. Thanks for the suggestions though.

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Jan 12, 2019 16:37:07   #
AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC
 
larryepage wrote:
Others will chime in here, but I suggest the Botanical Garden, San Antonio Zoo, Japanese Tea Garden (adjacent to the zoo), Institute of Texas Culture are all worth a visit. I had a good experience visiting the Alamo after dark, after the crowds left. That was several years ago and during the busier time. You will need to assess whether that is a good and safe idea this time of year. The climate in San Antonio is very temperate; some years do not see a significant freeze, but February will not be best for outside vegetation. The Botanical Garden has several large conservatories with lots of specimens in climate controlled indoor environments. There are several small towns out from San Antonio that are worth a visit, including Fredericksburg, Gruen, Stonewall, and others, and places like Enchanted Rock can be worth a visit also. Hopefully some folks from the area will have some more options...
Others will chime in here, but I suggest the Botan... (show quote)


Thanks for the tips. I stayed in Kerrville a couple of years ago and have been through Fredericksburg, Johnson City, and the Western White House. Also Lukenbach, what there is of it. I note there are some lakes near San Antonio, so will research those places.

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Jan 12, 2019 16:41:43   #
AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC
 
Dan Thornton wrote:
We have some of the best birding in the country this time of year. Many different types of shore birds, ducks and sandhill cranes, roseate spoonbills as well as whooping cranes. Also, you will be close to the Padre Island National Seashore which is open despite the shutdown. Goose Island State Park and the Big Tree are very near Rockport. You could also tour the King Ranch in Kingsville Texas. If you are interested in missions, you could visit La Bahia in Goliad. If you have not decided on a whooping crane tour yet, I recommend taking the one that departs from Fulton Harbor aboard the Skimmer. Captain Tommy is a very knowledgeable birder and will point out other birds of interest in route to the whooping cranes. While in fulton, stop at Benchwarmers for the best hamburger in the area. I hope you enjoy your trip.
We have some of the best birding in the country th... (show quote)


Thank you for the suggestions, which sound very interesting. I have booked a tour with Rockport Birding and Kayaking Adventures out of Fulton, and am looking forward to that. I will be staying in Rockport for several days, so I want to drive around that area and Corpus Christi as well, I saw Padre Island NS, and Mustang Island. I appreciate the heads-up on a good place to eat as well.

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Jan 12, 2019 16:43:22   #
AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC
 

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Jan 12, 2019 16:46:34   #
AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC
 
traderjohn wrote:
You are correct. There are plenty of photo opportunities along the Riverwalk.


Thank you - I also like to people watch, so perhaps a nice glass of wine and some people time would be productive.

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