
2025 Wimberly & South Padre Island
In April 2025, our photography adventure began in the scenic hill country of Wimberley, Texas. At the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge near Marble Falls, we captured early morning light filtering through rugged hills and native brush. Birds flitted between branches, and every trail offered a new frame for our lenses. We rode eBikes for the first time in a tour of downtown Austin.
Wimberley was a haven of natural beauty. At Blue Hole Regional Park, we photographed the spring-fed waters beneath arching cypress trees. The dramatic Hamilton Pool Preserve gave us its beautiful clear pool and mossy cliffs, while Jacob’s Well revealed a glass-clear spring that seemed to plunge into the earth’s depths.
We soared high above the treetops with Wimberley Zipline Adventures’ mile-long adventure course ranging from 150 to 900 feet in length. As we zoomed down the zip line at speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour, we felt the rush of adrenaline and exhilaration of flying through the air. (see 1 min video below). At Old Baldy, we climbed 200 steps for a panoramic view worth every drop of sweat.
Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg was a riot of color. Our cameras drank in endless fields of bluebonnets, poppies, and coreopsis swaying in the breeze. At Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch in San Antonio, we had close encounters with zebras, giraffes, and emus, often just inches from our windows.
From there, we headed south to South Padre Island. The Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge gave us peaceful wetland scenes, with roseate spoonbills and various migrating songbirds. The South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center brought us face-to-face with many herons, egrets, and lounging alligators. Green herons nesting in tangled branches just yards away, offering up intimate shots of shared nest-building behavior, midair landings, and egg brooding.
We wrapped up our journey at Starbase, Texas, where rockets stood tall—metal giants on the edge of space. It was the perfect contrast to the wild landscapes we’d explored, a reminder of both the earth’s wonders and humanity’s reach for the stars.
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Don & Val KernsAustin,TX
Don & Val Kerns - eBike tour of downtown AustinAustin, TX
Don & Val KernsWimberly Zipline Adventures, Wimberly, TX
Wimberly Zipline AdventuresWimberly, TX
Don Kerns Preparing to ZipWimberly Zipline Adventures, Wimberly, TX
Giraffe Licking a PoleNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
Val Kerns & BudgerigarsNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
Val Kerns and a Budgerigar share a kissNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
BudgerigarNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
BudgerigarNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
Val Kerns & BudgerigarsNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
BudgerigarNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
CockatielNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
Val Kerns & BudgerigarsNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
BudgerigersNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
Val Kerns & BudgerigarsNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
BudgerigarNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
A Bunch of BudgerigarsNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
EmuNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
Black Crowned CraneNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
Black Crowned CraneNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
Red Water LilyNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
Cornflower, Wildseed Farm, Fredericksburg, TX
PrimrosesNatural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX
Texas Spiny LizardHamilton Pool Preserve, Hamilton Pool, TX
Texas Baby Blue EyesHamilton Pool Preserve, Hamilton Pool, TX
Swallow-tail ButterflyHamilton Pool Preserve, Hamilton Pool, TX
Southern Ugly-nest Caterpillar MothHamilton Pool Preserve, Hamilton Pool, TX
Cephalopod FossilHamilton Pool Preserve, Hamilton Pool, TX
RattlebushHamilton Pool Preserve, Hamilton Pool, TX
Poison HemlockHamilton Pool Preserve, Hamilton Pool, TX
SpiderwortHamilton Pool Preserve, Hamilton Pool, TX
FernsHamilton Pool Preserve, Hamilton Pool, TX
Hamilton Pool Preserve, Hamilton Pool, TX
SpiderwortHamilton Pool Preserve, Hamilton Pool, TX
Val KernsBlue Hole Regional Park, Wimberley, TX
CoreopsisBlue Hole Regional Park, Wimberly, TX
Prickly Pear CactusBlue Hole Regional Park, Wimberly, TX
BluebonnetsWimberly, TX
Cypress-lined Blue HoleBlue Hole Regional Park, Wimberly, TX
Red BuckeyeHamilton Pool Preserve, Hamilton Pool, TX
Red BuckeyeHamilton Pool Preserve, Hamilton Pool, TX
South Padre Island SunriseSouth Padre Island , TX
Don & Val KernsSouth Padre Island, TX
Mexican Green JayLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Mexican Green JayLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Northern CardinalLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Northern CardinalLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Northern CardinalLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Parched CatcusLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Northern MockingbirdLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Prickly Pear CactusLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Prickly Pear Cactus (and bee)Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Prickly Pear CactusLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Prickly Pear CactusLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
SilverleavesLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
AnacahuitaLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
ChachalacaLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
ChachalacaLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Red-winged BlackbirdLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Red-winged BlackbirdLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Angry Red-winged BlackbirdLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Red-winged BlackbirdLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
White-tipped DoveSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Mourning DoveLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Brown-headed Cow BirdSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
White-tipped DoveLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Long-billed ThrasherLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Los Fresnos, TX
Woodland AspiliaSouth Padre Island, TX
Laughing GullsSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Great Blue HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Blacked-neck StiltSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Laughing GullsSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
White Ibis (juvenile)South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
, TX
Alligator (male)South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Black-bellied Whistling DuckSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Black-bellied Whistling DuckSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Great Blue Heron with a Prize FishSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Great Blue HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Great Southern White Butterfly on Lanata flowersSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Great Southern White Butterfly on Lanata flowersSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Baltimore OrioleSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Green HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Green HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Green HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Green HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Green HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Nesting Green Heron with 3 EggsSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Nesting Green HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Nesting Green HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Green HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Nesting Green HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Nesting Green HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Green HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Green Heron (Juvenile)South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Mallard (female)South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Great Blue HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
AlligatorsSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Red-winged BlackbirdSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Painted BuntingSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Painted BuntingSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
WilletSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Laughing GullSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Laughing GullSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Great Blue Heron Scanning for FishSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Great Blue Heron - Success!South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Great Blue HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Roseate Spoonbill South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Roseate Spoonbill South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Roseate Spoonbill South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Roseate SpoonbillSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Sleeping Alligator (male)South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Alligator on the prowlSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Black SwallowtailSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
DicotsSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Green HeronSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Great LeadtreeSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
A manmade pattern mixed with natureSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
SoraSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Snowy EgretSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Snowy EgretSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Neotropic CormorantSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Neotropic CormorantSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
Common GallinuleSouth Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, South Padre Island, TX
SpaceX StarbaseStarbase, TX
SpaceX Starbase Launch PlatformsStarbase, TX
Don Kerns & Don HaydonPort Isabel, TX
Another Beach SunriseSouth Padre Island, TX
Moon over the Gulf of AmericaSouth Padre, TX
Feet on the BeachSouth Padre Island, TX