CANYON OF THE EAGLES
By Jim Foster
The little bird managed to avoid the camera extremely well. If fact the only images recorded on this trip was a small patch of brown with golden head markings were vague in the leaves of the oak tree. The bird was the golden-cheeked warbler an endangered species and after three days a quality image of this bird had not been recorded. In spite of this one fact the trip to the Texas Hill Country had been productive.
Nestled into the rolling hills surrounding Lake Buchanan is 990 acres of Texas that up until now has been one of the state’s best-kept secrets. Canyon of the Eagles Lodge and Nature Park is the place for a family outing and it’s affordable.
Certified by Texas Parks and Wildlife as a Texas "Wildscape”, the quality of design and fitting it into the landscape was accomplished under the watchful guidance of an outstanding collection of talented stone artisans and native plant experts. One of these was native Texan Ron Moore who has several Hill Country Ranch Retreats to his credit.
My first evening at the Lodge was spent sitting in a large rocking chair on the porch with my camera. Several species of bird landed nearby including a beautiful painted bunting and a female paraluxia making trip after trip with materials for her nest. She landed near me several times and allowed me to add several images of her to my files. But the day would last until way past dark with a trip to the Eagle Eye observatory.
The Eagle Eye is one of few observatories offering a quality star gazing atmosphere, has lodging available, and is open to the public. Amateur viewers as well as practiced astronomers will enjoy the educational seminars and sky parties. The Eagle Eye has two telescopes one of which is a 16-inch Ealing Cassegrain Telescope. Outside there are tables and stands for your personal telescope.
The next morning after breakfast there was an informative gathering in the park’s nature center where those present learned some interesting facts about the three endangered birds that use the property. These are the golden-cheeked warbler, the black-capped vireo and our national bird the bald eagle. Only two of the three were using the park at this time. The bald eagle winters here and can be spotted from the lodge as well as the lake.
Later in the morning a group of birders and this writer took off on a birding walk through some of the protected habitat of the golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo. Hopes were high that these two species would be spotted and added to the life list of several of the hikers. As it was several of us saw two golden-cheeked warblers (I even got a couple of photos) and our guide pointed out the song of the vireo but nobody had even a quick glance. Being in close proximity to these rare species was a great experience.
Areas of the park contain the ideal habitat for the Golden-cheeked Warbler. This species of warbler was placed on the Federal Endangered Species List in 1990. This little migratory songbird was thought to depend upon the fine, shredded bark of the mature Ashe Juniper trees to build their nests. It is now known the nesting variety is much wider.
Several of the birding trails go through the nesting habitat of these two species and are closed during the times when the birds are actually nesting. Exceptions are made but they are rare and very limited.
COE is also offers the popular Vanishing Texas River Cruise from its new docks on the lake. This cruse is not about a vanishing river as some may think but is about the land and calls attention to how Texas natural wild places are becoming rare. The large private ranches located at lake’s edge now stress ranching practices that preserve and help the ecology and wildlife.
The cruise has been described as a premier ecological tour. The TEXAS EAGLE II is a 70 foot, 200 passenger vessel with an enclosed all weather deck and two open observation decks that permit cruises to be conducted all year round.
The Texas Eagle II makes several different cruises form the COE dock. Some of these are dinner cruises, special charters, seasonal cruises, and of course, the famous 2-1/2 hour scenic wilderness cruise up the historic Colorado River Canyon, past spectacular waterfalls and sheer cliffs.
Of course one of the most popular cruises takes place when the bald eagles return to the lake to spend the winter. Taking place from November through March this is the largest colonies of bald eagles in Texas. The 2-1/2 hour cruise departs daily except Tuesdays and the 4-hour Ultimate Eagle Cruise, which increases your opportunities to view bald eagles, is conducted on most weekends. Visitors should call for cruise dates, times, and make reservations.
I ended my day watching one of the other writers take a dip in the "stock tank" pool and "spring well". After a good dinner I settled in with a large mug of coffee to watch the sunset over the lake.
For more information about Canyon of the Eagles Lodge and Nature Park contact them at 1-800-977-0081 or look at their web site www.canyonoftheeagles.com. Located close to the town of Burnet, Texas it’s only a minimal drive from most places in Central and South Texas. It’s well worth the time getting there.
If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please Email him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com
