Here at the South Padre Island Birding Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary, we try to plant new native plant habitats around our visitor center any time we get a chance, at least twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. We only use native plants because they are the plants our local wildlife have relationships with and benefit most from. They serve as host plants for caterpillars (bird food), and flower or fruit in synch with seasonal pollinator/insect emergence and bird migrations,...

We all eagerly await that first cool northern breeze of the fall. The long summer is always peak fun, but we are left totally drained by the relentless heat. Our sizzling skin yearns for cool relief as we drag our dehydrated, raisin-like bodies into the promise of a new season ahead. September rain is a blessing after a scorching August. It quenches the thirst of the trees and plants in the gardens. Deep roots have their much-needed drink, but steam fogs the brain and lenses. The body and...

By Naturalist Educator, Javier Gonzalez Another spring bird migration has come and gone, and as usual, birders have been left in tatters...