Keep Texas Wild
It's not just for kids. If you like nature-related topics in an easy-to-read format, you can find three years of our popular Keep Texas Wild issues and the teacher resources to go along with them.
THIS MONTH
- Travel: Kicking Back In Kingsville
- Texcetera: How to Thrive as an SOB (Spouse of a Birder)
- Park Spotlight: Cedar Hill
- State Park Events
- Great Outdoors: Camping in Style
- Wild Thing: Snake Bird
- Fish & Game: 6-Year-Old Earns Elite Angler Award
- Fish & Game: How do I keep my family safe when out boating?
- Conservation: Thanks a Million, Nature Conservancy
- Artifact of the Month
- Ask a Grackle
- Where in Texas
"Keep Texas Wild" Teacher Resources
State of
Water
Sights & Sounds
Welcome to our birding issue, a feather-filled extravaganza!
In this issue we thought it would be fun to consider what other birds might make a good state bird for Texas. The northern mockingbird has been doing an admirable job, but it also holds the same title in four other states. We asked you, our readers, what bird you would like to see as our state symbol. Look out for the results of our “mock” election in the next issue. Crested caracara? Whooping crane? I hear the great-tailed grackle is a viable dark-horse candidate.
We're not really trying to dethrone the mockingbird. Our goal is to bring attention to some iconic Texas birds, and no matter which one you might favor, we mainly want Texans to “Vote Yes for Birds!”
We definitely voted yes for birds this month. We've got birds all over the issue. We're also kicking off Bird Bingo, a game that we hope will give you good reason to get outside and look for some feathered friends. You can play various regional cards or go for the statewide card. Go to texasbirdbingo.com for more details. The grand prize is a trip to one of Audubon Texas' bird sanctuary islands off the coast — a real treat for Texas birders.
In our Texcetera section, Kim Marvel offers wise and witty tips for being a good SOB — spouse of a birder. If you've been dragged along on a few birding outings, you can probably relate. Photographer Chase Fountain went to the birding hotspot of Estero Llano Grande State Park to get some birders to play along for his photo shoot.
We hope you enjoy this issue and our great Texas birds. If you would like to order a full set of all eight covers — each featuring another bird that could admirably represent Texas — please send $40 (which includes cover price, tax and all shipping and handling) to:
Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine
Birding Issue
4200 Smith School Rd.
Austin, TX 78744
Checks or money orders can be made payable to TPWD.
Photos shot for the May issue
Rail-trail in Caprock Canyons
The State Parks Time Capsule
The anhinga, or snake bird
Fishing at Perch Pond
Cooper's hawk
Six-year-old Ernst Toepfer V
Anglers at Galveston Island
King Ranch Saddle Shop
Raptors feed on nilgai in Kingsville
Being an SOB (spouse of birder)
A renovated 1949 Vagabond trailer
Move over, Mockingbird?
Texas has several feathered friends worthy of state bird status. Is it time to (metaphorically) kill the mockingbird? We reached out to some of the state's top birders to find out.
Time in a Box
During 2023's centennial celebration of Texas State Parks, park staff from across the state cast an eye to the past and the future to build a Centennial Time Capsule, which they hope will capture the spirit of the first 100 years of Texas State Parks while still inspiring future generations to get outside.
Biking the Rails
Converted railways offer safe and scenic trail adventures for riders at state parks. Our reporter tackles Texas State Parks' two rail-trail options.
