April 21st, 2008
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.
I hope it’s not too shocking to say, but I think we’ve put the sexy back in birding this month.
This article by Noreen Damude is just so cleverly written. And, I’d like to share a little bit of it with you, in talking about the least tern, which is not the most impressive bird, but man does it have a great courting ritual! Listen to what she writes.
He lands at her feet, fish flashing in the sun. Bowing low, the female lifts and wags her tail while fluttering her outstretched wings. The male circles her with neck extended, wagging his head back and forth as he goes. Now, face-to-face, she eyes his tantalizing gift in consideration of his troth.
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.
Posted in Birding, Podcasts, Shows, TPW Mag | Comments Off on TP&W May Magazine Preview
April 18th, 2008
Passport to Texas Outdoor Stories from Texas Parks and Wildlife
Ask Eveline Evans about the value of spending time outdoors and she’s not shy about sharing her views.
It’s just a great stress reliever. It’s wonderful to get out and get away from the urban areas, and enjoy the trees and the streams. I mean, it’s just wonderful to get away.
Eveline gets away with family whenever she can. She says sharing time outdoors with loved ones—even if it’s just taking a walk in nature—is critical to healthy, balanced relationships. It brings families closer…it encourages dialogues.
Well, I think it’s very important. My husband and I, we go walking all the time together in different locations. We love the Texas state parks. We’ve done Big Bend and the Davis Mountains, Caprock Canyons, Palo Duro Canyon…all of those are just wonderful places to go out and walk. You can talk about anything it seems like. Every little thing that comes up—you can explain to younger ones your value systems, or whatever. Why when you pass a snake you’re not supposed to kill it—you just leave it alone, that type stuff.
What do you love about spending time in the outdoors? We want to know. Go to passporttotexas.org and share your outdoor story with us.
That’s our show…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
Posted in Outdoor Stories, Podcasts, Shows, State Parks | Comments Off on Outdoor Story: Eveline Evans
April 17th, 2008
Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife
Abilene State Park is an oasis in the desert, and writer/producer Ron Kabele talks about the park and its pool this month on the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series.
In Abilene State Park, they have one of the largest pools in our system. It was built by the CCC, and it’s a beautiful, big pool. It’s really the heartbeat of the park.
I’m Oakley, and I’m Chancy, and we pretty much come every weekend (giggles).
Another story this month is Oasis of the King Fishers; it’s a personal story from TV producer, Lee Smith, about his uncle’s southwest Texas ranch, and the day he saw three species of kingfisher.
One December morning, I was shooting video at one of my favorite tanks. A snipe and a greater yellow legs were keeping me company when a belted kingfisher arrived and began to hunt breakfast.
Finally, members of the American Hiking Society volunteered to build a trail at a state park…as part of a volunteer vacation.
We’re talking a trail, you know, like wheelbarrows full of gravel. Really hard work. And this is during the summer. You know, they’d take time off from their jobs, or if they’re retired, they come out. And, the park will feed them. In exchange, they get all of this manual labor. And the people love to do this.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife series airs on PBS stations statewide. Find a list at passporttotexas.org.
That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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CLICK HERE to find a station near you that airs the show.
Posted in Birding, Podcasts, Shows, State Parks, TPWD TV | Comments Off on TP&W TV May Highlights
April 17th, 2008
Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife
Abilene State Park is an oasis in the desert, and writer/producer Ron Kabele talks about the park and its pool this month on the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series.
In Abilene State Park, they have one of the largest pools in our system. It was built by the CCC, and it’s a beautiful, big pool. It’s really the heartbeat of the park.
I’m Oakley, and I’m Chancy, and we pretty much come every weekend (giggles).
Another story this month is Oasis of the King Fishers; it’s a personal story from TV producer, Lee Smith, about his uncle’s southwest Texas ranch, and the day he saw three species of kingfisher.
One December morning, I was shooting video at one of my favorite tanks. A snipe and a greater yellow legs were keeping me company when a belted kingfisher arrived and began to hunt breakfast.
Finally, members of the American Hiking Society volunteered to build a trail at a state park…as part of a volunteer vacation.
We’re talking a trail, you know, like wheelbarrows full of gravel. Really hard work. And this is during the summer. You know, they’d take time off from their jobs, or if they’re retired, they come out. And, the park will feed them. In exchange, they get all of this manual labor. And the people love to do this.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife series airs on PBS stations statewide. Find a list at passporttotexas.org.
That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
_______________________________________________________
CLICK HERE to find a station near you that airs the show.
Posted in Birding, Podcasts, Shows, State Parks, TPWD TV | Comments Off on TP&W TV May Highlights
April 16th, 2008
Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife
While most of the action at the second annual Toyota Texas Bass Classic at Lake Fork—April 18 through 20—takes place in the middle of the water, there is plenty on shore to keep attendees occupied.
The Toyota Texas Bass Classic was built around families.
Dave Terre is chief of Inland Fisheries research and management at Texas Parks and Wildlife.
We’re enticing families to come in—mom and dad—and all their kids to come in and see bass fishing, to see exhibits, to hear concerts, to have a picnic. We have a family fun zone, where kids have the opportunity to come in and explore things like we see at our Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo, things like how to fish, big bass displays, we have casting contests, archery contests, displays on our state parks, and just millions of different things for kids to do while they’re there.
Day passes and weekend passes are available, and children under seventeen are free with paid adult admissions.
I would really just like people to come out and see this tournament. It’s really a spectacle. It’s the biggest bass fishing tournament, of course, in Texas. It’ll teach people about what we do as an agency, and what we’re doing to make fishing better on Lake Fork. Come see an awesome partnership between industry, Texas Parks and Wildlife department, and the professional anglers to work together to help promote fishing everywhere.
Find details at passporttotexas.org.
That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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A three-day Ticket Book valid for all the events at Lake Fork, April 18, 19 and 20 is $20 in advance and $25 on-site. One-day tickets are also available for $10. Kids 17 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Tickets are now on sale at www.toyotatexasbassclassic.com or (866) 907-0143 and at participating Bass Pro Shops locations and Brookshire’s grocery stores.
Posted in Events, Fishing, Freshwater, Podcasts, Shows | Comments Off on Toyota Texas Bass Classic, 3 of 3
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