Galveston, Texas: A Bird-Watcher's Delight
Birdwatchers will travel nearly any place in the world they can afford to see different types of birds. The excitement of viewing a scarce bird is what moves them to do what they do. And one good spot to bird-watch and see lots of varieties and breeds is Galveston, Texas.
Galveston Island is a central assembly spot for birds flying both north and south. For the northern migratory birds, it is a rest stop on their way to Mexico for the winter and on their way back in the spring. Three hundred different species of birds have been counted on the island at different times of the year.
In addition, quite a few waterfowl have made a permanent home on the island, and there's a variety of nesting styles and types to be observed. Guided tours are arranged all through the year to see the birds in their mating, nesting, and migratory seasons. Half or full day tours on water or on land go out often to see the birds. Some places offer unique classes to teach visitors on the specific birds' backgrounds and histories. One distinctive facility provides classes on bird photography, discussing methodology, equipment requirements and photo editing to bring out the best in your pictures.
Hurricane Ike, which hit the area a number of years ago, devastated Galveston Island and its bird population. Like most things in nature, though, the area has rapidly recovered, and almost all of the species present on the island prior to the storm have returned to nest again. Boat tours to the islands Anahuac and Bolivar provide a possibility to see some of the rarer birds that have come back to the area.
During the springtime, Galveston holds a unique bird-watching festival referred to as the Galveston Featherfest. Birdwatchers from around the country flock to the area throughout this time to get in on the three-day festival. Over 100 different tours are held during Featherfest, as well as a great deal of activities and special events. It's a spot where birdwatchers can all get together to swap stories and photographs, and see new and different varieties of birds they may never have witnessed before.
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