Very Nice Refuge!

Alligator
There are a lot of alligators in this refuge!
User: Blaze - 2/27/2008

Location: Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Rating: 4stars
Difficulty: 2stars  Solitude: 3stars
Miles Hiked: 3.00 Miles  Elapsed Time: 1 hour

Comments:
Of all of the wildlife refuges I’ve visited and reviewed thus far, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge takes the cake.
 
The refuge is seen primarily by a lengthy 17 mile auto tour, but there are numerous stop spots along the way to make it interesting. Some stops lead to short trails to see birds, while others are just nice scenic vistas of the area. The most interesting stop is a 40 foot observation tower that gives you a spectacular view of the marsh, Mustang Island and San Antonio Bay. There are also various free (!) powerful telescopes placed throughout the refuge that allows you to view wildlife close-up.
 
There are also various hiking/nature trails throughout the refuge, but they are very short. The longest is a little over a mile. Despite the short length, however, the trails take you to or through very interesting areas along San Antonio Bay. One trail takes you to an Alligator Viewing Area where I saw three alligators. Two large alligators were resting 10 feet off the trail, which is a bit close, especially if you have children, pets or elderly in your party.
 
One thing that really makes this refuge special in the winter months is the return of the Whooping Crane – North America’s tallest bird – which is an endangered species. You will also likely see armadillos, white-tailed deer, and numerous species of birds
 
I really enjoyed visiting this refuge and I highly recommend it.


Log Photos
Entrance Sign
Armadillo
Alligator
Deer
Wildlife Observation Point
Area around Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Recommended Item
Recommended Item Audubon Guide to the National Wildlife Refuges: Southwest: Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas
Daniel Gibson, Theodore Roosevelt IV (Foreword)
List Price: $19.95 Your price: $8.98 Buy Now
The roots of the current National Wildlife Refuge System were formed in 1903 by Theodore Roosevelt, who wanted to keep our most important habitats "forever wild". Devoted primarily to protecting wildlife, wetlands, and open spaces, refuges offer unrivaled opportunities for visitors to observe and learn about our natural world.There are now more than 500 refuge areas in the United States, comprising more than 90 million acres. Habitats protected by refuges include virgin forests, tidal marshes, prairies, deserts, and tundra; species that flourish on refuges include the bald eagle, the peregrine falcon, the American alligator, the American bison, mountain lions, bats, beavers, bears, sea turtles, and hundreds of others, including more than 60 endangered species.With more than 19 million copies sold to date and more than 105 titles now in print, the National Audubon Society's book program includes the National Audubon Society Field Guides (Knopf) and National Audubon Society First Field Guides (Scholastic). The mission of the Society is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife, for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. The National Wildlife Refuges are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Read more