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PHOTO BY SHERRY MCRAE

A Great Blue Heron and Great Egrets rest in branches at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary for 400
species of birds, including the endangered whooping crane.

Wildlife thrive in Texas refuge

Endangered whooping cranes find sanctuary at
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

By Nell Newton two-day trips to the Aransas refuge and the small boat for birdwatching and
nearby Goose Island State Park. photography, interest grew for making
The Aransas National Wildlife the trip to the Aransas refuge. Crane
Refuge on the Texas coast is a On an early January visit to the refuge, pitched in to help organize the trips.
sanctuary for 400 species of birds, Crane had met a local photographer
including the whooping crane, one of with a small boat capable of taking up “I wanted to share my experience with
North America’s rarest birds. to six people into the refuge’s wetlands. other nature enthusiasts,” Crane said.
Crane found the small boat a great way The trips were made January through
The wildlife refuge drew several small to observe and photograph the migrating early April.
groups of Sun City Texas residents this birds up close, including the endangered
past year for some great birdwatching, whooping crane, and avoid the larger The Aransas whooping cranes winter
to shoot wildlife photography and enjoy tourist boats. Crane returned to Sun from December through the spring in
a fun outdoor adventure. Robert Crane, City and shared his experience with the saltwater swamps and mudflats of
a photography and cycling enthusiast, other residents. As word spread about coastal Texas that are in and around
helped arrange the informally organized the wildlife refuge. The cranes nest in

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