Texas Parks & Wildlife Offers 10 Good Reasons to Get Outside this Spring AUSTIN – With the redbuds and bluebonnets blooming, it’s time to get outside and enjoy spring in Texas. “Much of Texas is still way behind its average annual rainfall, but it looks like winter rains in many areas of the state will […]
Category: nature
Pineywoods Autumn Trail
Athens & Palestine, Texas – Each autumn in Athens and Palestine, the picturesque landscape transforms to the vibrant colors as leaves begin to turn throughout the East Texas woodlands. The City of Athens Department of Tourism and Palestine Visitor Center have partnered together to offer visitors a 145-mile scenic driving trail along breathtaking scenic highways […]
Resolve to Tread Texas State Park Trails in 2014
Resolve to Tread Texas State Park Trails in 2014 AUSTIN – Vow to battle the post-holiday letdown and shed those unwanted pounds by pounding a Texas State Park trail, beginning Jan. 1, at more than 60 organized First Day Hikes that will kick off the New Year as part of a growing nationwide tradition. Remember, too, that […]
East Texas Scenic Wildflower Drives
East Texas Scenic Wildflower Drives EAST TEXAS- Spring has been in the air in East Texas since the beginning of February. Some people might say, wildflowers are just the weeds we have learned to love, but others travel far and wide to take in the natural beauty of wildflowers. Wildflowers have been exploding all across the […]
How Do Ya Like Them Apples?
How Do Ya Like Them Apples? Horse apple trees, also known as Osage orange trees or Bois D’Arc trees, produce neither apples or oranges but rather a green brain-looking fruit. Horse apples are in the eye of the beholder according to who you are talking to. East Texans and their neighbors in Arkansas refer to […]
East Texas Red-Eared Slider Turtles
East Texas Red-Eared Slider Turtles- The red-eared slider turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle and is a sub-species of a pond slider. It is the most popular pet turtle in the United States, but can be seen roaming about in East Texas, often crossing roads. Red-eared sliders are almost entirely aquatic, but leave the water to […]
Calling All Citizen-Scientists: It’s Time to Survey Amphibians & Reptiles
Calling All Citizen-Scientists: It’s Time to Survey Amphibians & Reptiles AUSTIN — Spring in Texas means wildflowers blooming, frogs croaking, turtles basking and a chance to count the unique species emerging from their winter hideouts. As wildlife in Texas benefit from abundant spring rains and early warmth this year, Texas Parks and Wildlife is looking […]
Big Thicket National Preserve Announces Summer 2017 Ranger-led Program Schedule
KOUNTZE, Texas– The staff of Big Thicket National Preserve invites you to explore the thicket by taking advantage the many ranger-led programs being offered in the months of May, June, July and August. From canoe trips on Village Creek to frog hikes, a presentation on the area’s history and night hikes through the thicket, park […]
Mission Tejas State Park
Mission Tejas State Park By Dana Goolsby Houston County- East Texas is full of amazing history and natural beauty. Mission Tejas State Park fully encompasses both the rich history of East Texas and the natural wonder and beauty of the Pineywoods and affords visitors the chance to experience both to the fullest extent. Mission Tejas State Park is […]
Stop and Smell the Flowers In These East Texas Towns
EAST TEXAS—Palestine, Nacogdoches, and Tyler are renowned for their magnificent blooming seasons and premier flower trails. Dogwoods and azaleas are celebrated annually during the blooming season in the three towns, and each offers unique viewing opportunities from gardens and parks, to historic districts. Due to unseasonably warm February weather, it is recommended that you call […]
August 2014 Events at Mission Tejas State Park
August 2014 Events at Mission Tejas State Park Weches, Texas– There is still time to get in an outdoor adventure or two before summer ends! Mission Tejas State park will host a different event each weekend and the park offers some of the best hiking views and trails in East Texas. August 2: Guided Tour of […]
East Texas Snappers: Say No To Snapper Soup!
East Texas Snappers: Say No To Snapper Soup! Anyone who has spent a little time around ponds, slow-moving creeks and rivers, lakes, or the swamps and marshes of East Texas has probably seen a snapper. A snapping turtle that is. Snappers generally do not leave the water to venture out on to land. Traveling turtles […]
Deer Management Workshop Offered at Engeling Wildlife Management Area
Deer Management Workshop Offered at Engeling Wildlife Management Area ATHENS—The Henderson County Wildlife Committee will sponsor a white-tailed deer management workshop at the Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area on Saturday, September 24 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Ongoing Drought Affecting Urban Wildlife
Ongoing Drought Affecting Urban Wildlife July 29, 2011 Texans are seeing more wildlife in the city because of the ongoing drought, but it’s something of an urban myth that wild animals are coming to the city from the country in search of food and water. “Actually, the animals people are seeing already live in the […]
City of Athens Department of Tourism Gears Up for Second Annual Scenic Fall Foliage Tour
City of Athens Department of Tourism Gears Up for Second Annual Scenic Fall Foliage Tour Vivid red foliage of the Sumac can be seen at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. Photo by Larry D. Hodge, Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center ATHENS – Each autumn in Athens, the picturesque landscape transforms to the vibrant colors […]
Solid White, A Scary Sight!
Photo by Noah Reams Solid White, A Scary Sight- Most East Texans have heard the popular rhyme to assist with the identification of poisonous snakes in the Pineywoods, “Red on yellow, kills a fellow. Red on black, friend of Jack.” But what about solid white? Solid white, a scary sight! Noah Reams captured this image of what is believed to […]
Green Anole
Green Anole- The green anole is native to East Texas and readily on tap during the summer months. They enjoy the warm climates of the region, and are often the source of much fun for children as they are harmless. The green anole will grow to be six to eight inches in length. They have […]
Black Bears Making a Slow and Natural Return to East Texas
Black Bears Making a Slow and Natural Return to East Texas By Dana Goolsby In East Texas, just before dusk as the setting sun’s rays pierce through pockets of the pines, visibility is limited. If you are sitting in a deer stand, you will notice that with every passing moment your surroundings begin to fade […]
Snake Myths, Superstitions, & Old Wives Tales
Snake Myths, Superstitions, & Old Wives Tales- Superstition has always regarded snakes with fear and respect and some cultures have even credited the serpent with various supernatural powers. There are more myths, old wives tales and superstitions about snakes than any other animal. Superstition has produced a number of popular misconceptions regarding snakes over the past […]
Federation of Student Anglers Organizing Clubs Across Texas
Federation of Student Anglers Organizing Clubs Across Texas ATHENS—The Federation of Student Anglers (FSA) wants to hear from students in Texas middle and high schools who want to form or be on a school fishing team and from school administrators who are interested in starting a club team at their school. FSA is expanding its […]
Gar Facts Often Garbled
Gar Facts Often Garbled A spotted gar in catfish creek. ATHENS—Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Inland Fisheries biologist Michael Baird of Waco sometimes thinks he’s heard it all—until the next fish story reaches his ears. “Through hundreds of conversations with anglers and outdoor recreationists, a fisheries biologist hears just about every kind of fish […]
Springtime in Full Bloom at Texas State Parks
Springtime in Full Bloom at Texas State Parks Chase A. Fountain, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department AUSTIN – What looks to be a promising wildflower season has started early this year and Texas State Parks remain some of the best and safest places to see and photograph a dazzling array of bluebonnets, mountain laurels […]
Holy Atomic Pile, Batman!
Holy Atomic Pile, Batman! By Dana Goolsby Palestine- Downtown Palestine is home to some of the oldest buildings in the State of Texas, second only to Galveston. These historic buildings are so grand and impressive they have attracted sightseers from near and far, but also thousands upon thousands of Mexican freetail bats. While the bat […]
Squirrely East Texas
Squirrely East Texas Everything from Squirrel Removal to Squirrel Dumplin’s By Dana Goolsby East Texas- East Texas has historically been a stronghold for squirrels. The Pineywoods are home to millions of the furry critters. Some might think squirrels are cute, fluffy little creatures that are fun to watch as they frolic in the trees or in […]