Exploring Nature:

Big Bend National Park Field Trip - Tuesday, August 11 - Saturday, August 15, 2009

Big Bend National Park, in southwest Texas along the Rio Grande, is one of America's largest and most remote national parks. With almost a million acres, Big Bend is the largest preserved area of Chihuahuan Desert in the U.S. At the heart of the park lie the Chisos Mountains, an island of evergreens, maple, aspen, and oaks. These mountains are unique in that many species of plants and animals reach the limits of their range here. There are 1,200 species of plants (including 60 species of cacti) and 450 species of birds in Big Bend, more than any other national park.

Our 5-day trip to Big Bend will focus on all aspects of natural and human history. Whether you're interested in birds, plant identification, photography, or the fascinating history of this border area, there will be something for you. The trip is planned for early August when spectacular afternoon and evening thunderstorms cool the desert and initiate the blooming of a myriad of wildflowers.

• AUGUST IN BIG BEND
• AN OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME
• ITINERARY
• GENERAL INFORMATION
• ITEMS TO PACK
• TRIP LEADERS
• COST and RESERVATIONS
• TERMS

AUGUST IN BIG BEND
We have chosen to take our tour in August for several reasons. July is the beginning of Big Bend’s rainy season (July averages only 2 inches), and by August the Chihuahuan Desert is revived and becomes a painter’s palate of color with late summer wildflowers in bloom. This is one of the least busy months so we will experience the true peacefulness of Big Bend. At a higher elevation and lower humidity, and with the cooling showers, it is a great way to take a break from the heat of Houston.

Big Bend contains the best example of near natural conditions of the Chihuahuan Desert, and the Chisos Mountains rise from the desert floor to become “ecological islands” with different flora and fauna than the desert below. Fresh water in an arid region creates its own biological community and the Rio Grande River does this on an appropriate grand scale.

AN OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME
Our schedule is flexible to allow us to take advantage of the weather conditions, blooming cycle of plants, bird migration, and animal movements existing during our visit. Our time will be spent experiencing this wonderfully isolated region, and our walks will take place in the cooler hours of the mornings and early evenings. . Our excursions will include The Basin, Sam Nail Ranch, Boquillas Canyon, Rio Grande Village, Cottonwood Campgrounds, Castolon Historical District, and the Santa Elena Canyon area among other interesting locations.

We will have time for birding and wildlife observation, photography, and learning about the key plants of this significant and ecologically complex region. Our short, leisurely walks and scenic drives will take us into the three ecological zones, the river, the desert, and the mountains, to provide us with an excellent introduction to this unique natural treasure.

We will learn about the geology, natural history, and man’s impact on the land as we explore the area looking for mule deer, javelina, coyotes, Roadrunners, Lucifer Hummingbirds, Varied Buntings and if we are fortunate, a glimpse of a mountain lion or black bear.

We will learn to identify some of the characteristic plants of the desert, such as lechuguilla, creosote bush, and ocotillo among many others. In the foothills we will look for the component plants like Torrey yucca, sotol, Spanish dagger, and bear grass.

In the mountains, we will look for longspur columbine, cardinal flower, weeping and alligator junipers, and gray oak.

In the evenings, we will relax from our day’s activities and experience the serenity and tranquility of Big Bend under a starry nighttime sky.

ITINERARY:
Tuesday, August 11, 2009:
Arrive in Midland, TX. Group meets at 1:00 pm. Lunch in Midland. Depart for Big Bend. Our drive will provide us with an interesting opportunity to observe the gradual but dramatic change in the in the landscape as we travel. [Commute time approx 5 hrs].

Arrive in Big Bend. Check in at Chisos Mountains Lodge.

All nights will be spent in the center of the park at the Chisos Mountains Lodge, which is located in an area referred to as The Basin. All meals will be either in the Chisos Mountains Lodge Restaurant or provided by the restaurant. There is a gift shop and convenience store at the Lodge.

Tuesday evening, after settling into our accommodations, the group will meet for dinner in the Chisos Mountains Lodge Restaurant. While enjoying our meal and conversations we can also enjoy a fabulous view from the restaurant. After dinner we will enjoy a spectacular view of the star spangled night sky.

Wednesday, August 12 through Friday, August 14, 2009:
Meet at the restaurant at 7:15 am daily for a hearty breakfast and hot coffee.
Chisos Mountains Lodge Restaurant opens at 7:00 am. After Breakfast, we will begin our exploration of Big Bend with flexible day trips and hikes in the mountains and in the desert. You may want to spend part of a day in the basin around the Lodge. Many species of birds including Zone-tailed Hawk, Acorn Woodpecker, Canyon Wren and Black-chinned Sparrow have been observed here. Black bears have been observed up in the mountains from the Basin area. Javalinas frequently forage around the edges of the Lodge.

Saturday August 15, 2009: Travel Day - Depart Big Bend and drive back to Midland airport.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Late Summer Weather
The rainy season extends from mid-June to October with locally heavy afternoon and evening thunderstorms. The desert floor can be hot, but rains often cool temperatures and bring out a myriad of desert wildflowers. The Chisos Lodge is at 5,400 ft. elevation and temperatures should be warm and pleasant, especially in the evenings.

Hiking in Big Bend is as variable as the country itself. There are easy trails near the lodge and extremely challenging, steep trails up into the high country of the Chisos Mountains. We will lead a few short hikes to see birds and plants, but our schedule is flexible, and any participant can make arrangements to attempt almost any hike.

ITEMS TO PACK
A suggested list includes:

• Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
• Personal items such as medications
• Binoculars
• Bird or plant books
• Camera
• Travel alarm clock
• Flashlight
• Day pack or fanny pack
• Water bottles
• Walking shoes or boots
• A mix of clothing, including long pants, long or short-sleeve shirts, shorts, extra socks, and a sweater or light jacket.

TRIP LEADERS:
Bill Eley is Program Development Director at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center and has over 30 years of experience birding the Gulf Coast, Mexico, and South America, and has been to Big Bend numerous times. He is the former Conservation Science Director at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory. Bill received his B.A. in Anthropology and his M.S. in Zoology from Louisiana State University, where he participated in four separate scientific expeditions to Peru with the Museum of Natural Science.

Glenn Olsen has had a lifelong interest in nature, primarily birds and plants. He is a member and past president of the Native Plant Society of Texas and a member and past Vice President of Education for the Houston Audubon Society. Glenn actively leads birding and nature tours throughout Texas and other states. He has lead field trips for Houston Audubon, the Texas Ornithological Society, and the Katy Prairie Conservancy in addition to his private tours.

In 2008 he organized and co-led a trip to the Galapagos Islands and other parts of Ecuador. Glenn teaches landscaping, plant identification, and bird identification classes for Rice University's Continuing Education Department, the Houston Audubon Society, and the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center.

COST and RESERVATIONS
The cost of the trip is $1195 for Arboretum members, and $1295 for non-members, double occupancy. A single occupancy fee of $250 will apply if you desire a private room. These fees include ground transportation from Midland, all meals, lodging, park entrance fees and gratuities. Travelers must make their own plane reservations. Both Southwest and Continental fly from Houston to Midland. We will depart Midland airport at 1:00 pm on the 11th, and return to Midland by noon on Saturday.

Registration deadline is July 15. A minimum of 6 participants will be required, and a maximum of 12 can be accommodated. A $500 deposit is required when reservations are made. Full payment is due by July 15. Any reservations after that time will depend on availability, assuming at least 6 participants are signed up by July 15. Cancellations and refunds will be available (minus the $500 deposit) after July 15. Plane reservations and payments are solely the responsibility of the participant.

TERMS
The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is responsible for arrangements (except airfare and air travel), including payments to suppliers, described in the itinerary of this trip. The Arboretum has no responsibility for delays, including delayed departures and arrivals, loss, damage or injury to persons or property, mechanical defects, failure or negligence in connection with any accommodations, transportation, or other services, for substitutions of hotel or other common carrier beyond their control and for any additional expense incurred thereby. Acceptance of these terms by the traveler is indicated by his or her registration.

Questions or wish to register? Contact Bill Eley via email or 713-366-0379.