Hill Country Nature Quest - The Best Birding and all-round Nature Festival in Central Texas

Past Particiapant Nature Quest Photos April 2006

    In April 2006 I attended Nature Quest for the first time and camped in the Frio Country RV Park. I participated in as many seminars, field trips and dinners with the pros as I could! It would be difficult to say which was my favorite part of the experience. I loved every minute of it.
    The hummingbird research project by Bob and Martha Sargent was fascinating. I discovered that I had known nothing about bird banding! It was a special moment when I held a hummingbird in my hand after its "participation" in the research project. I could feel its tiny heart racing.
    A seminar which I found to be especially interesting was "Moths - Butterflies of the Night" by John and Gloria Tveten. Their slides were breathtaking! (I was saddened to learn of John's death recently.)
    Two years later (April 2008) I attended Nature Quest again. This time I camped in Garner State Park and also participated in two field trips in the park: Day 1 - "Wildflowers of Garner" with Marshall Johnston and Day 4 - "Ethnobotany Walk at Garner" with Ginger Webb. The beauty of Garner State Park certainly enhanced the experiences.
    Among my favorite workshops was "Bluebirds and Other Small-Cavity Nesters" led by LeAnn Sharp on her ranch. One of the most surprising things I learned is that all birds' eggs begin with white shells and that the pigment colors are actually applied as the eggs travel down the "birth canal" right before being laid.
    I intend to participate in other Nature Quest programs this year. Glenda G. Alexander - Austin, TX

Hill Country Adventures - Birding, Kayaking, Frio Bat Flight

Concan, April 2006 - Field Trip 'Getting Started with Butterflies'

Concan, April 2006 - Field Trip 'Wildflowers of Garner State Park Area' - Sage Kawecki

Concan, April 2006 - Research by Bob & Martha Sargent - 'Hummingbird Banding'

Concan, April 2006 - Field Trip 'Springs of the River Region'

Concan, April 2006, Frio Country RV Park - Frio River