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

South Llano River State Park is located at 1927 Park Road 73, approximately 6 miles outside of the town of Junction, Texas.

325-446-3994

South Llano River State Park is located at 1927 Park Road 73 approximately 6 miles outside the town of Junction, Texas.

325-446-3994

Note: Firewood is available for sale at the South Llano River State Park for $4 per bundle.  Check with the park host in sites #2 or #4 for purchase.

South Llano River State Park is located at 1927 Park Road 73, approximately 6 miles outside of the town of Junction, Texas.  325-446-3994

Park Reservations are available at www.tpwd.state.tx.us or call 512-389-8900

Texas Stadium located in Irving, Texas is set to be imploded at daybreak on Sunday, April 11th, 2010.  The Red Lot parking area will open at 2AM to the first 5,000 vehicles

showing up for their last tail gate party at the former home of the Dallas Cowboys.  Local television stations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area will offer live coverage starting at 6AM, counting the minutes to sunrise on Sunday morning at 704AM.  An 11 year old boy who won an essay contest will push the button that will begin the implosion as the stadium rolls in upon itself in less than 1 minute.  Home to America’s Team since 1971 the Texas Stadium then cost 35 million dollars to build.  The implosion will cost 6 million dollars.  95 percent of the concrete and steel will be recycled.

Note:  All surrounding freeways will be shut down 30 minutes prior to the implosion.

The Red Lot will be the only viewing area.  There is only one entrance to access the red lot.  Expect lengthy delays in and out of the parking area  Parking is $25.00.   All proceeds will be donated to local charities.

You may watch the event streaming live through the web at www.cityofirving.org.

Also you should know that no RV’s or commercial vehicles will be allowed.  Additionally open flames and pets are prohibited.

After the implosion the site will be used for several years by the Texas Department of Transportation as a staging area for reconstruction of adjacent highways.

Future development plans may include retail and residential opportunities.  Details are available at crossroadsdfw.com

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

If you are looking for parks to camp with the kids this Spring Break I have two great choices for you.  Be sure to call ahead for reservations, the sooner the better, these are very popular parks and will fill up for Spring Break.

My first suggestion is Dinosaur Valley State Park.  It will only take you 90 minutes or so to drive to Glen Rose, Texas where the park is located, from the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, a big plus with a carload of kids.

My second suggestion is the South Llano River State Park out near Junction, Texas.  Now this park will take you approximately 6 hours travel time but it is well worth the trip.

We recently visited both of these parks.  Here is the information you need to know.

Dinosaur Valley State Park as well as being a Texas State Park has been designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.  The park itself is a roomy 1,523 acres of natural wonder.  Camping with water and electric hook-ups is limited to one camping loop with 46 designated campsites.  All are equipped with grills and fire rings.  A restroom with hot showers is located in the camping loop and a trailer dump station is available.  There are 7 walk-in primitive sites for camping in the North Primitive Camping Area.  Start your visit to the park with a photo op at the Dinosaur Models at the entrance.  They are fiberglass models of the Tyrannosaurus Rex standing at 45 foot next to the gigantic 70 foot Apatosaurus, also called Brontosaurus built for exhibit at the New York City World’s Fair in 1964.  They were donated to the park in 1970.  Now go and look for the dinosaur tracks in the park belonging to relatives of these two dinosaurs.  There are 4 dinosaur track viewing areas here on the banks of the Paluxy River.  The Paluxy River is a tributary of the Brazos River.  The dinosaur tracks are exposed at various places in the streambed.  Track Site #1, named The Blue Hole hosts an old-time swimming hole ranging in depth from 12-21 feet.  Track Site #2 contains numerous three-toed carnivorous dinosaur tracks.  You can hop right across the rocks in the river to the right side to view the best of them. After you visit sites #3 and #4 head back up to the visitors center to put it all in perspective. The roomy exhibit hall contains a large relief map, models, drawings and interpretive displays on the history of the area and the dinosaurs.  If you are still craving activity there are 12 miles of scenic hike and bike trails easily enjoyed in 1-2 mile segments.  The South Primitive area of the park has 100 acres reserved for equestrian recreation.  There are no marked trails in this area.

Admission to the park is $5 per person, daily, for those age 13 and older.  Purchase an annual Texas State Park Pass for $60 per card or $75 for a two-card membership and the daily admission fee is waived.  Water and electric campsites will cost you $25 per night.  The North Primitive Camping Area fee is $15 per night.

www.tpwd.state.tx.us/parks

254-897-4588

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South Llano River State Park