by Eryn Reddell Wingert
The bright red blooms of the Turk’s Cap attract battling hummingbirds year-round in South Texas. The plant is easy to grow, with little or no water needed, once established. It enjoys shade and even blooms well throughout the summer. It is a host plant for butterflies, too. The plant is native to Texas.
By Eryn Reddell Wingert The Rabb House dates back to the late 1890s when Frank Rabb utilized steamboats to haul materials from Louisiana to build the Victorian-style home for himself and his new bride, Lillian Stark. The cost: $15,000. The home sits within the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in southern Brownsville, surrounded by a biodiverse landscape…
by Gretchen Losi Cooler days are approaching, which has Mother Nature calling many of us to get out and explore. Listen carefully and you might get the call to “Estero Llano.” The name loosely translates into ‘swamp land’–but don’t be fooled. This 230-acre state park is home to countless alligators, snakes, native flora and fauna,…
Special to Welcome Home Winter Texan Erica Barrera wrote “Getting Ready for the Fall Bird Migration” in the November 27, 2024, issue of Welcome Home Winter Texan. This list of birding hotspots is a companion piece to that story. Both the story and this list of hotspots first appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of…
Spotted in the RGV | McAllen, TX Photo and blurb by Eryn Reddell Wingert There’s excitement in the air as hummingbirds cause quite a stir during their fall migration. It’s a simple joy for those who find the small–but mighty–critters entertaining to watch. Their migration is a precursor to winter visitors arriving in droves! If…
Let’s Go to the Jetties! by Gretchen Losi The Rio Grande Valley is home to a strip of island so thin you barely get sun-kissed walking from the bay side to the gulf. But after one visit, you’ll be hooked for life. At only 1.8 miles wide, South Padre Island holds a plethora of…
Courtesy of South Padre Island CVB Eco-tourism plays a vital role in attracting visitors to South Padre Island. One of our major eco-tourism centers is the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary. Their facility is the prime hub for birdwatching in South Texas. The facility is home to 43 acres of wetlands,…
