Things to Do/Places to Shoot Around Rockport and Port Aransas
Everything in the region is focused on the coastal forests and marshes or on the water itelf. There really doesn’t seem to be anything of note inland. Here are some possible places/activities for activities and imagery:
1. Downtown Rockport, Texas
Not a large area, the historic downtown has a pretty cool old-Texas vibe. (Port Aransas is more touristy, which I don’t think is an interesting.) Wide open and sunny, might offer non-sporting imagery for Sun Protection.
2. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
History: In 1941, when only 15 whooping cranes survived in the wild, the iconic bird became an emblem of alarm and concern for all endangered and threatened species. Aransas became a focal point of the national and worldwide effort to rescue the species from extinction, established in 1937 to serve as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife and as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds. Alligators, too!
Activities: Hiking, Birding, Biking
Locations:
Very cool oak forests
Observation Towers (a bunch of them)
More Imagery: https://www.fourstjames.com/blogs/stories/33566404-aransas-national-wildlife-refuge-timeless-texas-biodiversity
3. Beaches
There are nine different beaches close, and miles of shoreline to the south. Tons of birdlife and incredible sunsets.
Activities (beyond the obvious): Horseback riding
a. Horseback on the Beach (Instagram)
3. Bird-Watching
Bird-watching is big business in the region, and there are many outfitters and services offering a variety of tours, from walks to kayak trips to larger boat trips. Lots of very cool species are on display:
- White-Faced Ibis. Roseate Spoonbill. White-tailed Hawk.
- Osprey. Crested Caracara. Sora.
- Clapper Rail. Purple Gallinule. Sandhill Crane.
- Whooping Crane. Black-bellied Plover. …
- Piping Plover. American Oystercatcher. …
- Spotted Sandpiper. Marbled Godwit. …
- Ruddy Turnstone. Whimbrel. …
- Laughing Gull. Lesser Black-backed Gull.
An operation called Aransas Bay Birding Charters has a couple of cool boats that could make interesting photography:
There are some companies with larger boats, as well.
This small hippy-ish farm offers farm-to-table dinners and a variety of classes, including such topics as Garden Healing and Food is Medicine Coaching. But the venue is pretty authentic-looking and the food looks great.
It’s a 10 acre homestead in Taft, Texas, home to humans, dogs, ducks, longhorn steers, potbellied pigs, chickens, rabbits and an ever evolving parade of wild animals, plants and insects. There are a small orchard and vineyard, as well.
