Urban Wilderness: 3 Spots for Wildlife Photography in Houston

When it comes to Houston (and Texas in general), I feel like it sometimes gets a bad rap regarding its relationship with the great outdoors. Yes, it is hot (okay, way too hot this summer). Yes, it might be relatively flat. And I do think the gigantic mess of highways can be an eyesore. But it really can offer some beautiful spots to soak up nature and observe wildlife.

While Houston may be known for it's urban center and sprawling suburban neighborhoods, there are still plenty of locations to observe wild animals, both in and outside of the city limits. From unassuming hidden gems to well-loved state parks, Space City's got a lot of options.

Although I've been a nature-lover my whole life, I dove into wildlife photography a little over a year ago. It's been a great way for me to connect with and deeply explore my transplant home of about three years now.

Here are a few of my favorite places I've found for wildlife photography in and around the Houston area:

1. Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve

Part of town: Northwest Houston, near Lakewood Forest

Address: 20215 Chasewood Park Dr, Houston, TX 77070

This nature preserve is a lot bigger than it looks and is home to so much wildlife! At 80 acres, there's lots of wildlife that call this preserve home. I always find something interesting to photograph here, and the swampy lake makes such a nice setting. When I first started wildlife photography, I came here often as there is pretty much always some sort of nature out on the water! There's always plenty of free parking, which I also love.

Some of the birds I've spotted here include: Egrets (plenty of them!), Ducks, Night-Herons, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Great Blue Herons, Ibis, Anhinga, Little Blue Herons, Roseate Spoonbill

2. Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary

Part of town: Memorial

Address: 440 Wilchester Blvd, Houston, TX 77079

When I first came here, I actually passed it up because I didn't think I was in the right place - it's sort of nestled quietly right in a neighborhood. There's definitely more to this 18-acre sanctuary than originally appears, with numerous beautiful and well-kept walking trails and plenty of wildlife to be seen.

The wildlife that I have spotted consists mostly of smaller birds such as robins, mourning doves, woodpeckers, and wrens (so much harder to capture the quick tiny birbs!). On the preserve's online birding checklist, there are TONS of birds I haven't seen yet, so I may need to make some more trips back here soon!

3. Brazos Bend State Park

Part of town: Fort Bend County

Address: 21901 Farm to Market Rd 762, Needville, TX 77461

Brazos Bend is definitely not a hidden gem in the least, being one of the most popular state parks in Houston (and all of Texas). But it is absolutely a must go-to for anyone in Houston interested in practicing wildlife photography! It will likely be a bit of a drive depending on where you are (it's about an hour away from downtown), but so worth it. Even if you only go around the 40 Acre Lake Trail, you will likely see so many types of animals both in plain sight and hidden hidden in the trees and swampy waters including my favorite......ALLIGATORS!

Being from Louisiana, I'm no stranger to alligators, but I'm still in awe every time I get up close to one of these behemoths (which you will very likely get a chance at a good view of them here). If you go around mating season, you can hear them bellowing around you, lurking under the water.

Besides gators, there's an absolute ton of birds and other animals to be seen here as well, including (but definitely not limited to): Cattle Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, Anhingas, Cormorants, Green Herons, Flycatchers, Ibis, Hawks, Owls, and too many others to list out.

There's so much natural beauty in and around Houston - you just have to know where to look. And there's plenty of other wildlife-spotting locations that I didn't cover here! If you have any suggestions for your favorite birding or nature spot, let me know!