Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/07/28/birdlife-of-texas/ # What Our Birdlife of Texas Photography Holiday Covers Published on July 28, 2024 [![A Soaring Crested Caracara Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-soaring-Crested-Caracara-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday-1024x700.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-soaring-Crested-Caracara-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) Written by [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/) with images contributed by Jane Palmer. Our [Birdlife of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/north-america/) works through three private ranches in the Rio Grande Valley, each set up for [bird photography](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/bird-photography/) with hides, water features & controlled backgrounds. Here’s what the trip covers. [![A Crested Caracara Landing On A Branch Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Crested-Caracara-landing-on-a-branch-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Crested-Caracara-landing-on-a-branch-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) The adventure starts with a day in a private refuge bustling with Crested Caracara, Harris Hawks, Vultures, & even the elusive Coyote. It’s a strong start to the species list. [![A Harris Hawk Landing On A Branch Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Harris-Hawk-landing-on-a-branch-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Harris-Hawk-landing-on-a-branch-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) After a short drive & an overnight stay, the next four days will see you spending time at a ranch supporting fantastic species, including Crested Caracara, Harris Hawk, Black Vulture, Greater Roadrunner, [Green Jay](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/green-jay/), Long-billed Thrasher, Northern Bobwhite Quail, Northern Cardinal, & over 20 additional species. The ranch setups provide clean perches & water features that draw birds into range throughout the day. [![A Crested Caracara On A Branch Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Crested-Caracara-on-a-branch-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Crested-Caracara-on-a-branch-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) [![A Crested Caracara With Its Head Thrown All The Way Back Staring At The Photographer Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Crested-Caracara-with-its-head-thrown-all-the-way-back-staring-at-the-photographer-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Crested-Caracara-with-its-head-thrown-all-the-way-back-staring-at-the-photographer-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) [![A Crested Caracara In Flight Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Crested-Caracara-in-flight-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Crested-Caracara-in-flight-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) [![A Crested Caracara With Its Head Thrown All The Way Back Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Crested-Caracara-with-its-head-thrown-all-the-way-back-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Crested-Caracara-with-its-head-thrown-all-the-way-back-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) [![A Crested Caracara Preparing To Land Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Crested-Caracara-preparing-to-land-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Crested-Caracara-preparing-to-land-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) Following this, you’ll move to another ranch for several days to encounter similar species in different locations, setups & backdrops. The different setups & backgrounds at the second ranch add variety to your image set. [![A Northern Bobwhite Quail Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Northern-Bobwhite-Quail-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Northern-Bobwhite-Quail-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) [![A Greater Roadrunner Drinking From A Pool Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Greater-Roadrunner-drinking-from-a-pool-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Greater-Roadrunner-drinking-from-a-pool-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) [![A Northern Cardinal Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Northern-Cardinal-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Northern-Cardinal-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) [![A Curve Billed Thrasher Drinking From A Pool Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Curve-Billed-Thrasher-drinking-from-a-pool-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Curve-Billed-Thrasher-drinking-from-a-pool-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) [![An Indigo Bunting Taking Flight Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/An-Indigo-Bunting-taking-flight-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/An-Indigo-Bunting-taking-flight-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) [![A Drinking Northern Cardinal Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-drinking-Northern-Cardinal-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-drinking-Northern-Cardinal-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) As the journey continues, you’ll move again to another specialised photography ranch for the final days of the photography tour, encountering similar species against different setups, locations & backdrops, including wetlands at this ranch. This final leg of the trip allows you to expand your portfolio further, & the wetland areas here add another habitat type to the portfolio. [![A Beautiful Green Jay Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-beautiful-Green-Jay-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-beautiful-Green-Jay-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) [![A Perched Black Crested Titmouse Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-perched-Black-Crested-Titmouse-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-perched-Black-Crested-Titmouse-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) [![A Black Throated Sparrow Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Black-Throated-Sparrow-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Black-Throated-Sparrow-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) [![An Audubons Oriole Perched Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/An-Audubons-Oriole-perched-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/An-Audubons-Oriole-perched-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) [![A Long Billed Thrasher Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Long-Billed-Thrasher-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Long-Billed-Thrasher-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) [![A Golden Fronted Woodpecker Comes In To Land Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Golden-Fronted-Woodpecker-comes-in-to-land-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Golden-Fronted-Woodpecker-comes-in-to-land-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) ## Who Leads the Birdlife of Texas Photography Holiday? [David](https://natureslens.co.uk/with/david/) leads the [Texas](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/north-america/united-states/) trip. He’s based in Missouri & knows the Rio Grande Valley ranches well. His focus is on helping you read bird behaviour, anticipate action & work the hides effectively to build a varied set of images. [![A Drinking Ground Squirrel Photographed At One Of The Locations Used During Our Birdlife Of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-drinking-ground-squirrel-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-drinking-ground-squirrel-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-used-during-our-Birdlife-of-Texas-Photography-Holiday.jpg) ## Included in Our Birdlife of Texas Photography Holiday The [NaturesLens Birdlife of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/north-america/) includes: The itinerary typically covers visits to prime birding locations, predominantly within the Rio Grande Valley. It offers opportunities to photograph bird species like [Crested Caracara](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/crested-caracara/), Harris Hawks, [Green Jays](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/green-jay/), Road Runners, Thrashers, Buntings of various types, & [mammals](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/mammal/) such as [Coyote](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/coyote/) & Javelina. Participants will also benefit from guidance from [David](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/), who leads this trip for NaturesLens, comfortable accommodation, transportation to various photography sites, & most meals throughout the journey. Full trip details & dates are on the trip page. - NaturesLens wildlife photography holidays are structured around photographic opportunity — every schedule decision is made around light, behaviour, & access. - Small groups of 4–8 photographers ensure unhurried positions & individual guidance. - Single occupancy accommodation is included as standard across the majority of our trips. ## Share this post - - - - [![An Adult European Tree Frog One Of The Species That May Be Photographed During The Natureslens Reptiles Amphibians Of Bulgaria Photography Holiday 1](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/an-adult-european-tree-frog-one-of-the-species-that-may-be-photographed-during-the-natureslens-reptiles-amphibians-of-bulgaria-photography-holiday-1.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2019/03/08/wildlife-photographic-magazine/) ### [Double Coverage in Wildlife Photographic magazine](https://natureslens.co.uk/2019/03/08/wildlife-photographic-magazine/) March 8, 2019 We're rather proud to have a double entry in this month's Wildlife Photographic magazine - in addition to the regular… - [![An Elephant Walking Amongst The Trees Photographed During The Natureslens Wildlife Of Mana Pools Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/An-elephant-walking-amongst-the-trees-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-WIldlife-of-Mana-Pools-photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/11/19/wildlife-of-mana-pools/) ### [Wildlife of Mana Pools — What to Expect from Our September 2026 Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/11/19/wildlife-of-mana-pools/) November 19, 2024 Experience the beauty & splendour of Africa's wildlife on our exclusive Astounding Wildlife of Mana Pools photography holiday led by… - [![One Of The Bald Eagles In Mid Dive Against A Backdrop Of One Of The Cliff Faces Photographed During The Natureslens Sea Otters Bald Eagles Of Alaska Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/One-of-the-Bald-Eagles-in-mid-dive-against-a-backdrop-of-one-of-the-cliff-faces-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-Sea-Otters-Bald-Eagles-of-Alaska-photography-holiday-300x200.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/03/31/alaskan-wildlife/) ### [Capturing the Beauty of Alaskan Wildlife – Announcing Our Return in March 2026!](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/03/31/alaskan-wildlife/) March 31, 2024 Discover the wonders of Alaskan wildlife & what is changing for our upcoming trip! Join us in March 2026 for… In this article 1. [Who Leads the Birdlife of Texas Photography Holiday?](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/07/28/birdlife-of-texas/#who-leads-the-birdlife-of-texas-photography-holiday) 1. [Included in Our Birdlife of Texas Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/07/28/birdlife-of-texas/#included-in-our-birdlife-of-texas-photography-holiday) ### Author DM [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/) shares practical field notes, trip updates and wildlife photography advice from the NaturesLens programme. Next step ### Find your next wildlife photography holiday Browse small-group trips by destination, subject, season and photographic goal. [Browse Holidays](https://natureslens.co.uk/wildlife-photography-holidays/) ### Related articles [![Why We Recommend Visiting Grímsey Island In 2027 With Robin](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/An-atlantic-puffin-swimming-on-calm-water-photographed-by-Robin-Lowry-during-the-NaturesLens-Puffins-of-Iceland-photography-holiday-on-Grimsey-Island-150x150.jpg) **Why We Recommend Visiting Grímsey Island in 2027 with Robin**](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/09/01/grimsey-island-for-puffin-photography/) [![Heipi Travel Tripod Review – Long-Term Field Use &Amp; Real-World Verdict](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Heipi-Travel-Tripod-Review-5.jpg) **HEIPI Travel Tripod Review – Long-Term Field Use & Real-World Verdict**](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/08/26/heipi-travel-tripod-review-long-term-field-use/) ### Field notes by email New articles, trip reports and wildlife photography holiday announcements from NaturesLens. 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