Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

thanks to a UHHer, I found about this; headed there next week for it; anyone with actual experience going out on the boat(s) to shoot the birds, or tips, otherwise ?

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

I assume you’ve found the website: https://www.portaransas.org/whooping-crane-festival/

These points are important:

Winter Birding Guidelines

Applies to Trail Use October 30–April 30 (or when Whooping Cranes are present):

Nature Preserve ordinance rules always apply, including but not limited to: open sunrise to sunset; no fishing, hunting, or gathering of any natural materials; no littering; no injuring or harming wildlife; no pets.

Visitors must stay 1000 feet from Whooping Cranes. They should never be approached or disturbed. If you see Whooping Cranes within 1000 feet of the trail, please do not enter the trail.
If visitors are already on a trail and whooping cranes are within 1000 feet, they should stop, remain quiet, and observe their behavior.
If the Whooping Cranes become alert, raise their heads, and stop foraging—you are too close. Turn around if possible or wait and allow the whooping cranes to establish a safe distance before proceeding.
If the cranes do not seem bothered, you may proceed with caution. Walk slowly and remain quiet. If biking or running, walk slowly through the area.
If rules are not followed and cranes are not safe, trail closures may occur. If trail closures occur, guided walks will be available.


Amelia’s Landing is spartan but the people who run it are nice. We like Finn’s Grill and Icehouse (https://finsgrillandicehouse.com/) and Irie’s (https://iriesislandfood.com/) for food. The U of Texas Marine Science Institute is good.

The wait for the ferry between Port A and Aransas Pass can be up to an hour during rush times. You can access waiting times and other information:

https://www.txdot.gov/content/txdot/en/driver/travel/ferry-schedules.html

Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center is good — easy access — and run by the city”

https://www.portaransas.org/things-to-do/nature-and-parks/leonabelle-turnbull-birding-center/

You’ll need either a car or to rent a golf cart for getting around Port A. I’d call ahead since the festival is a big deal. I found the photo seminar we attended to be good, with the expert seminar leader's photos to be astounding.

We didn’t do the boat trip and if I go again, I would.

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

Thank You !!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That name alone put a smile on my face.

promfh Loc: Redwood City, CA, USA

After we moved to California I started remembering how much I miss Port A. There are also a lot of photo attractions over on the mainland side. I could easily spend a week shooting nature in that area.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

I have never been out there by boat but have heard captain tommy is a good boat captain to go with to see whooping cranes. His office is on Fulton Bay road across from the Inn at Fulton Harbor in Fulton , Tx. There is a great seafood restaurant called Charlotte Plummers within a block of the Inn as well. Have eaten there many times, and they make the best bread pudding I have ever had. There is someone on the forum from time to time that is from Rockport which is part of Rockport-Fulton community. This is probably about a 45 minute drive from Aransas Pass. We generally stay in the Inn mentioned above rather than Port A as we find the choice of good restaurants is better in our opinion. FWIW.

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

Let me jump in here with two points which I hope are helpful since we run down to Rockport often.

The last whooping crane festival to which we went a few years ago, the organizers managed the boat tours. Not to dispute about Capt. Tommy; just saying he may not be in the organized mix.

We've been going to Charlotte Plummers on and off for more than 20 years and recently their food has not been as good as it used to be. We have found Moondog's delicious as recently as three weeks ago. The Shack, a little hole in the wall, is also good, but it's closed on Wednesday.

MDI Mainer

This is the kind of "insider" information, so often and generously shared, that to my mind is the greatest value of UHH.