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TEXAS
HILL COUNTRY
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Block
Creek Natural Area (BCNA) includes:
The Laurels
Ranch
Turkey
Hollow |
The
Laurels Ranch
This ranch is part of Block Creek Natural Area, which in total is comprised
of almost 400 acres located in Kendall County halfway between Comfort
and Fredericksburg, Texas, off of Old Highway 9. Ashe juniper was cleared
from the land before 1900 and has been contained by managed grazing
and brush control practices. Creeks flow year-round and diverse vegetation
provides habitat for many species of resident and migratory wildlife.
The Laurels ranch is part of the
ranch originally founded in 1887 by renowned architect Alfred Giles.
Six generations have lived on and cared for the ranch. Myrna and David
K. Langford (great-grandson of Giles) live on the ranch today and welcome
their nature photographer guests. Find
out more about The Laurels Ranch.
Turkey
Hollow
Turkey Hollow is a sanctuary for wildlife nestled in the middle of several
very large, old ranches and part of Block Creek Natural Area, which
in total is comprised of almost 400 acres located in Kendall County
halfway between Comfort and Fredericksburg, Texas, off of Old Highway
9. This unique
property is only thirty acres, although it seems much larger. Block
Creek and Elm Bottom Creek flow through the property year round. A two-acre
lake on the property is a magnet for various species of native wildlife.
Find out more about Turkey
Hollow.
SOUTH
TEXAS
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1.
Dos Venadas
2. Martin
Refuge: The Javalina
3. Martin
Refuge: The Homestead
4. El
Tecolote
5. The
Weaver Ranch |
Dos
Venadas
Sitting quietly fogotten and securely hidden by larger properties for
the last century, this 336 acres of native brush is representative of
Starr County as it was back then. There are very few non-native plants
or animals on the property, which is rare in South Texas today. Professional
photographers Steve Bentsen and Laura Elaine Moore have developed Dos
Venadas exclusively for nature photography, drawing on many years of
photography and habitat experience in South Texas and utilizing advice
from their many photographer friends. Located in Starr County, it is
the westmost Lens & Land ranch, most conveniently accessed from
Rio Grande City. Find out more
about Dos Venadas.
El
Tecolote Ranch
This historic South Texas ranch is home to a large herd of
White-tailed Deer that come to feed regularly near carefully placed
photo blinds. Other mammals enjoy the ranch as well. One photographer
spotted a mother Bobcat with her two babies. South Texas specialty birds
are prevalent, too. Situated near a flowing stream, which is a magnet
for birds of all kinds, are birding trails, a three-acre lake, and a
50-foot tower that affords magnificent views. With a variety of excellent
Texas backgrounds such as ponds, dry wash areas, scrub thickets and
meadows, this ranch provides the perfect setting for the perfect shot.
Find out more about El Tecolote.
Martin
Refuge: Homestead
The focus here is on birds (although coyote and bobcat appear
from time to time). Because owners John and Audrey Martin live on the
Homestead, these "wild" birds are more like family. They are
fed daily and are known to flock in at scheduled feeding times. Three
professionally designed photo blinds are available, or photographers
are welcome to wander the easily accessible paths to get the perfect
shot. Find out more about the
Homestead.
Martin
Refuge: Javelina
The Javelina is 300 acres of thick South Texas brush located
NW of Mission. This, along with the Homestead property, is the original
home of private nature photography in the Rio Grande Valley. Owned by
John and Audrey Martin who were the driving force behind the Valley
Land Fund Photo Contest, this ranch has already hosted a large number
of happy photographers. On this property, lush with mesquite, huisache,
and other South Texas foliage, photographers had delighted in various
birds, mammals and reptiles. Five professionally designed photo blinds,
each set back from small water holes and close to feeding areas, allow
photographers to catpure critters as they wander in for refreshments.
Three of the blinds have been "sunken" underground for photographing
at eye level. Find out more about
the Javelina.
The
Weaver Ranch
Located at the tip of the South Texas brush country, this 1600
acre ranch is along the Greater Texas Coastal Birding Trail, which is
the pathway of many migratory birds. With over 50 varieties of wildflowers,
the butterflies are plentiful. The ranch is situated just 20 miles west
of Port Mansfield, which allows for occasional shorebird sightings.
The Weaver Ranch is typical South Texas Tamaulipan brush with sandy
loam soil. The brush density ranges from heavy to open areas with native
grasses. Two pastures have been set aside specifically for photography.
Find out more about the Weaver
Ranch.
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