Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

The August issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine takes readers way out west to Big Bend Country. Managing Editor Louie Bond.

Maybe it’s a little hot to visit there is August, but it’s a great time to plan your next trip out there for maybe October when the nights are cool. We’ve got three big stories on Big Bend. The first is a great photo essay by our photographers on the Big Bend Ranch cattle round up that they have every year. This is an actual longhorn cattle roundup. It’s the real deal. Twenty-five ordinary citizens come out, they get on horses, and they actually do round up these cattle. I think it’s a taste of the old west that you can’t find anywhere else.

And we’re going to go rafting down the Sana Elena Canyon. Some of them combine music and food, as well as just incredible sights. And then we’re also going to take a tour of Big Bend Ranch State Park, which is newly funded, newly organized. They’re just making great strides out there.

And there are so many recreational opportunities; there are so many things for people to explore that they’ve never seen before out at Big Bend. And then, if we need to cool off after all of that Big bend in the hot sun, we’re going to take a look at the Resaca de la Palma state park which is going to be opening up, and the best state park swimming spots—which we will definitely need in August.

Thanks, Louie. The August issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine is on newsstands now.

That’s our show…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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Passport to texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Sport Fish Restoration Program

The June issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine celebrates saltwater angling. Managing editor, Louie Bond is here to tell us more.

A lot of saltwater fishermen go out for the big three fish, which are the speckled trout, the red fish and the flounder. But, as Larry Bozka points out this month, unpredictability is the essence of saltwater fishing.

And so, any of these fish put up a good fight, they’re really great eating, they’re just as much fun as the big three, and, heck, part of the fun is the mystery of what is on the end of your hook.

Thanks, Louie. Find links to saltwater fishing information at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show…with support from the Sport Fish Restoration Program…working to increase fishing and boating opportunities in Texas… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

The May issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine is traditionally the birding issue, and this month, says it offers readers a little sizzle. Managing editor, Louie Bond.

You know, May’s not exactly the month for romance, but in bird terms, it is. And you know—birds—the important things for them to do are survive and reproduce. So, the focus of one of our articles this month is on the courtship rituals of the birds.

Isn’t that just the most romantic bird story? I just think that’s very sweet, and every bit as spicy as any modern day romance novel. So, if you’re looking for romance, and February is long gone, turn to the May issue. Even is you’re not into birds, you’re going to find something there that you’ll love.

Thanks, Louie. That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

When Hurricane Humberto made landfall along the Texas coast last September, High Island, an important sanctuary for migratory birds, got hit hard. The April issue of TP&W Magazine follows the efforts of volunteers who brought the island back to life. Managing Editor, Louie Bond.

When you talk about damaging hurricanes, I think everybody thinks about Katrina and Rita. But actually, Hurricane Humberto was the fastest-growing hurricane in US history. And, unfortunately, the bull’s-eye hit High Island, which is a wonderful bird sanctuary. And, it’s an important stopover for neotropical birds who are coming north from Central and South America to their spring nesting places in North America. There’s marshland all around, and there’s just beautiful little secluded sanctuary where the birds can stop and rest and then continue on their way. And when Humberto came around, it uprooted centuries-old trees, tore up boardwalks, and just did incredible damage. But luckily, volunteers came on the weekends—members of the Houston Audubon Society—and they worked and worked and they cleaned up the debris and rebuilt the boardwalks. And now, I’m glad to say High Island has been totally restored and will be ready for the visiting birds this spring.

Thanks for the great news, Louie. Learn more about High Island at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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