South Llano River State Park is a bird watcher’s paradise.  As you drive along the entrance road into the park you will pass the first of many bird viewing blinds that are scattered throughout the park.

All of the bird blinds are well maintained and equipped with comfortable seating, a log book where you may record the birds you have observed and a bird identification book as well as bird posters on the inside walls.  Outside, birds flock to the various feeders and bird baths.  The observation glass offers a crystal clear view of our feathered friends comings and goings.  220 species of birds are found in the park.

The Painted Bunting, a native Texan, makes it’s summer home here at the South Llano River State Park.  This beautiful, colorful songbird retreats to Mexico in the winter months however returns to the South Llano River State Park each spring.  The rare and endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler establishes breeding territories at the South Llano River Park in early spring.Another rare and endangered bird, the Black-capped Vireo is also found at the South Llano River State Park.  At present the Black-capped Vireo breeds in only a few isolated areas of Oklahoma, Central Texas, and Coahuilla.

The old-growth Juniper-oak woodlands at the South Llano River State Park also attract hummingbirds.  They hunt the many small insects in the riverside (riparian) areas of the spring-fed South Llano River.

The South Llano River State Park is at the eastern edge of the range of the black-chinned hummingbird and at the western edge of the ruby-throated hummingbird’s range.  When you come out to camp at the South Llano River State Park hang a hummingbird feeder at your site, fill it with a mixture of sugar water (1 part sugar dissolved in 4 parts water) and you will be viewing the hummers right from your campsite.  Dozens of these minuscule birds will congregate just after dawn and right before dark to feed, inserting their long beaks as they slurp the nectar with tiny forked tongues.

An interesting fact about the black-chinned humming bird is that it makes it’s nest with spider webs.  The webs stretch as the chicks grow.

The Acorn Bird Blind on the east side of the camping loop is the location for ranger talks at the South Llano River State Park on summer weekend evenings.  The bird blind adjacent to the walk-in camping area is named Falcon.  Nearby is the Falcon trailhead.

(See related blog post on the Falcon Trail hike.)

The South Llano River State Park is located approximated 6 miles outside the town of Junction, Texas in Texas Hill Country.

Be sure to secure a camping reservation in advance before you head to the South Llano River State Park or any of the Texas Hill Country State Parks for a summer weekends.

www.tpwd.state.us/parks

325-446-3994

Texas Parks and Wildlife has announced that the race to catch the 500th Toyota ShareLunker is on, and if you are the lucky angler the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation will pay out $500 per pound to you!  ShareLunker number 490 was just caught at Lake Casa Blanca, near Laredo, Texas on March 24th starting the countdown to #500.  It was caught in 8-10 feet of water with a seven-inch junebug Power Bait worm, setting a new record for Lake Casa Blanca at 14.79 pounds.  You will need a Texas fishing license to try and snag the big one unless you are fishing from the banks of a Texas State Park where the license requirement is waived.

Gather your gear and head out for some fishing and a chance to make the big bucks!

Go to www.tpwd.state.tx.us/sharelunker for all the official rules.

A qualifying “Lunker” is a largemouth bass that is alive, weighs 13 pounds or more and is caught by April 30th, 2010.

More than 60 exotic animals , including big cats and bears live in their natural habitats at the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Rhome, Texas.  Gather the family together and head out to Wise County for a special adventure.  Tours generally take about an hour and are led along a 6/10 of a mile gravel path winding around the habitats of 58 felines including bobcats, cougars, jaguars, leopards, lions and 8 rare white tigers.  You will be able to observe these magnificent cats enjoying a wonderful quality of life even though they are in captivity.  These rescued animals were formerly abused and neglected however have regained trust and are now living comfortably and well cared for.

This year 13 bears were rescued and taken into the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary including 4 European Grizzly’s and 3 sibling bears from Wyoming.  They may be viewed by touring around the two five-acre tracts resembling their natural environment.

Tours are available to the public at 11AM most weekdays as well as twice a day on weekends.  You may call or visit their website to set up your reservation.  The donation fee is $20 per person for the tour.  School groups and other children’s groups may visit at a discounted donation rate of $5 per child.  The International Exotic Animal Sanctuary is known as one of the best kept secrets in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Please note that children under seven years of age are not permitted on the tours and that visitors will not be allowed to leave their pets in their vehicles.

The International Exotic Animal Sanctuary is located in Wise County.  It is in Rhome, Texas which is near Boyd, Texas.  940-433-5091  bigcat.org

South Llano River

If you willing to drive a little further to camp in a Texas State Park this Spring Break head west on Interstate 10 to Junction, Texas, then south on US Highway 377 for 5 miles to Park Road 73.  You will arrive at the South Llano River State Park for a few days or maaybe a week of fishing, canoeing and tubing, swimming if you decide to brave the cool clear waters of the river and wildlife observation.

At 524 acres this is a small park and one of the prettiest of the Texas State Parks.

58 campsites with water and electric are circled around the camping loop which also contains a restroom with hot showers as well as a trailer dump station.  Primitive camping is available at walk-in sites, a 30-70 yard walk from where your car will be parked.  These sites have picnic tables and fire rings with drinking water available to every 4 sites.  Composting toilets are in this area.  South Llano River State Park boasts two miles of river frontage.  There are numerous access points on the river when you get ready to put in your canoe or float in your tube, a favorite Texas spring break or summer activity.

Easy hiking trails allow hikers and mountain bikers to explore the wooded bottom land.  Bring your fishing pole along as you explore, you will probably want to throw your line in at the riverbank or in one of the two small oxbow lakes.  Fishing is free at any Texas State Park.  (If you are on a body of water you must have a Texas Fishing License.)  Several of the hiking trails will lead into the large adjoining Walter Buck Wildlife Management Area.

Wildlife observation is another favorite activity at South Llano River State Park.  The Rio Grand turkey roosts here in the winter.  Observation blinds are positioned to allow visitors a peek of the turkey moving to and from the roost.  It is important to note that a large portion of the park that contains the turkey roosting area is closed to visitors from October 1st through April 1st every year.

Admission fee to the South Llano River State Park is $3 per person, per day ages 13 and older.  Admission fees are waived if you are the holder of an annual Texas State Park Pass which sells for a $60 fee or $75 for a two card membership.

Overnight camping at the water and electric sites will cost you $17, a maximum of 8 people at each site is allowed.

Overnight camping at the water only primitive sites is $10 per night with a maximum of 4 persons allowed.

325-446-3994

www.tpwd.state.tx.us

We picked up a free booklet on a recent visit to a Texas State Park called “Tall Tales of Texas.”

Here are some of the trivia facts I found most interesting.

It is estimated that Texas has approximately 11,500 historic markers alongside it’s highways and by-ways.

The state bird of Texas is the mockingbird.  There are four other states also naming the mockingbird their state bird.  They are Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee.

The monarch butterfly is the state insect of Texas.

The city of Canyon, Texas is near two outstanding canyons.  They are Caprock Canyons and Palo Duro Canyon.  Caprock Canyons is home to the Texas State Bison Herd.  Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the United States, taking it’s number two spot right behind the Grand Canyon.  Palo Duro Canyon State Park is home to the outdoor drama “Texas” performed every summer at the amphitheater in the canyon, telling the story of the state of Texas in song and dance.

There are nine different species of rattlesnakes living in Texas.  You may find them in tall grass and rocky outcroppings.

The guitar is the official musical instrument of the state of Texas.

The square dance is the official dance.

The city of Texarkana is is situated in both Texas and Arkansas.

“Tall Tales of Texas” has written that in 1897, a horned lizard became trapped in the marble cornerstone of the county courthouse in Eastland, Texas.  Thirty-one years later, when the building was torn down, the lizard was found alive and well.  Locals named him Old Rip for Rip Van Winkle.

The Dinosaur Capital of Texas is Glen Rose, Texas.  Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas contains dinosaur tracks over 113 million years old.

The state plant of Texas is the prickly pear cactus.  The fruits of most prickly pears are edible and sold in stores under the name “tuna.”  The branches of the prickly pears, also known as pads, may be cooked and eaten as a vegetable.  They are sold in stores under the name “nopalito.”

There is actually a Texas BBQ Trail stopping at mouth watering family owned barbeque joints in the vicinity of Austin Texas including Elgin, Lockhart, Luling and Taylor Texas.

The oldest Dr Pepper bottling plant in the world is in Dublin, Texas.  Belly up to the soda fountain to taste the original Dr Pepper blended with Texas’ own Imperial Pure Cane Sugar.  Cases of bottles or cans are available for sale to take home.

The Six Flags that have flown over Texas are Spain, France, Mexico, Texas as an independent country, the Confederacy and the United States.

There is a lot more to learn and know about the great state of Texas.  For now I am going to end with the Lone Star Flag.  Once the symbol of the Republic of Texas it features a five-pointed white star on a blue background, a white strip for unity and a red stripe representing courage.  Texas became a state in 1846 and has kept the same flag ever since.  Texas is the only state which was once an independent country.

San Angelo State Park, adjacent to the city of San Angelo, Texas, is a large park of 7,677 acres sitting on the shores of the O.C. Fisher Reservoir.  This parcel of West Texas range land became a state park in 1995.  San Angelo State Park offers several unique activities and experiences for the visitor.  Most of the land that makes up the park will remain undeveloped, in part protecting archeological findings dating back some 18,000 years which includes Indian rock art and ancient animal tracks.  Check with the park for a tour schedule to visit the Permian animal tracks and Indian petroglyphs.  Part of the Official State Longhorn Herd makes it’s home here.  Also in residence is a bison herd.  Inquire for tour times to view the Bison and Longhorn herds.  50 species of mammals are known at the park including prairie dog towns, and you may visit a bird watching station to spot any of the 350 species of birds that frequent the park.  There are 50 miles of hiking trails, mountain biking trails and equestrian trails, 20 miles for backpackers as well as developed campsites with water and electricity.  There is boating on the lake, boat ramps available and a fishing platform and dock being developed.

San Angelo State Park may be entered from a South or North Entrance.  We drove in through the South Entrance, closest to the city of San Angelo for a day trip.  The ranger at the entrance gate was very friendly and quite informative explaining all of the features of the park.  Sadly, as we explored the camping loops on the south side of the park, we found them in need of maintenance, the bathrooms in general were in desperate need of cleaning and in a state of general disrepair.  Camping fees range from $8 for a primitive backpacking site to $18 per night for a developed site with water and electric.   Be aware that little to no shade exists at any of the campsites, not a good thing in the hot Texas summers.  I would recommend this park for day use but would hesitate to make it an overnight camping destination.  A park entrance fee of $3 per person for ages 13 and up applies or an annual Texas State Parks Pass is accepted in lieu of the entrance fee.  From the city of San Angelo, Texas access the south entrance to the park by way of U.S. Hwy 67 south to FM 2288.  San Angelo State Park may be found on the web at sasp@tpwd.state.tx.us 325-949-8935

tags

San Angelo State Park Texas, camping San Angelo State Park, Official Texas Longhorn Herd, bison herd West Texas, bird watching West Texas, prairie dog towns Texas State Parks, hiking trails Texas, primitive camping Texas, Indian petroglyphs Texas