Our new photo feature allows you to test your ability to identify Texas landscapes. See if YOU can become one of our "Texperts" by knowing five or more of our locations.
January - February | March | April | May | June | July | August - September | October | November| December
If you recognize our locations, send us a note at Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX, 78744 (write "Where in Texas?" on the envelope); email us at magazine@tpwd.texas.gov; let us know on Facebook; or post a comment to tpwmagazine.com.
December
What a rare and glorious treat: freshly fallen snow in the mountains. Bracing cold greets hikers as snow crunches underfoot in this iconic Texas mountain range. In the park where river, desert and mountain intersect, the grandeur of West Texas reveals itself. Bonus points if you can name the 4.8-mile round-trip hike where this photo was taken.
Answer:
This winter scene is in the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park. Casa Grande serves as a landmark on the Lost Mine Trail, a 4.8-mile round-trip hike that climbs through a juniper, oak and pine forest before reaching a ridge. Reader Peggy Spruell recognized the spot: "I think the December 2018 gorgeous photo is of Casa Grande about halfway up, or down, the Lost Mine Trail in the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend. A fitting end to this issue!"
Congratulations to our readers who knew the answer!
November
Do you like a good mystery? Texans travel to this West Texas spot in hopes of encountering something that defies explanation. The Texas Department of Transportation built this roadside center to support those who seek illumination.
Answer:
Mystery solved? Well, yes and no. We can tell you it's the Marfa Lights Viewing Area east of Marfa. What we can't explain is the source of the mysterious Marfa Lights. Thousands of people visit each year for a chance to see the elusive, ethereal orbs that glow, change colors, disappear, reappear and move through the air. Dozens of readers recognized the viewing station despite it's location in a remote part of Texas. Reader Bill Webb says it's "a great place to spend some evening hours anticipating and just maybe seeing those eerie emanations." Readers Dusty and Norma Bruns have visited several times while staying at nearby Davis Mountains State Park. They've never seen the lights, "but we have more fun talking to the other visitors gatherered there!"
Congratulations to our readers who knew the answer!
October
This grand and graceful 65-foot waterfall cascades down a travertine cliff face lined with maidenhair ferns and lush vegetation. It’s one of the most popular features of a Central Texas state park. A spring-fed stream creates the waterfall before joining a major Texas river nearby.
Answer:
Visitors to Colorado Bend’s gorgeous Gorman Falls probably have experienced just such a feeling. While part of those good feelings may come from being in a wondrous setting, the moving water and air around a waterfall can produce tens of thousands of those negative ions. Reader and Gorman Falls visitor Jamie Blalock describes the falls as “oh sooooo beautiful!” and “a definite Texas ‘bucket list’ sight!”
Congratulations to our readers who knew the answer!
John Mays, Jared Holt, Sandy Truxillo, Margie Castillo, N. Davis, Billie Buck, Sandra Howell, Lynda Hall, Sandra Walker, Parker Hause, Richard Beightol, Geneel Willingham, Patricia Whalen, Cynthia Kothmann, S Burrows, Larry Marx, Ross Hickman, Mikale Slaughter, Richard Dreiss, Rob Higgs, Katherine Nelson, David Madden, Cindy Jones, Jon Stone, Doris Buchanan, Jesse White, Evelyn McAnelly, Sara Ross, Kirk Herring, Jacqueline Wade, Mary Jacson, Suzan Garner, Claudia Chaffin, Jamie Blalock, Ida Hudgins, Jennifer Sponsler, Austin Wilson, Paul Mack, Christine Colunga, P Barner, Ray Uherek, Larry Douglas, Susan Stephenson, Miaya Parker, Elizabeth Wamble, Larry Pillers, Alfred Broden, Lisa Roen, Gail Johanson, Karen Denny, Judy James, Bob Shafer, Floyd Meredith, Keneth Roehe
Readers also thought they recognized it as these locations in Texas:
Cattail Falls, McKinney Falls, Krause Springs, Pedernales Falls and Lost Maples
August - September
A short and steep hike takes explorers to these caves in one of Texas' largest state parks, within the city limits of a West Texas city. Named after one of the great civilizations of Mesoamerica, the caves are believed to have begun as air bubbles in ancient lava flows.
Answer:
The West Texas desert view from inside a cave comes from Aztec Caves in El Paso’s Franklin Mountains State Park. Several readers correctly guessed the Franklin Mountains, and a few nailed down the exact spot. The other most popular guess was Big Bend National Park. Franklin Mountains State Park is the largest urban park in the nation, and the hike to Aztec Caves is one of the park’s most popular. Reader Paul Barner recognized the caves from his time stationed at Fort Bliss. “Hiking beats marching any day,” he says. A similar photo serves as the cover shot for Laurence Parent’s updated “Official Guide to Texas State Parks and Historic Sites.”
Congratulations to our readers who knew the answer!
Zain Abedin, Aaron Adams (age 6), Carroll Adcock, Joe Barbe, Craig Braginton, P Barner, Mike Flores, Betty Hatchett, Ed Hunter, Karrell Lewis, Robert Matthys, Sal Quintanilla, Nelda Roessler, Tom Rhodes, Jim Schlotter, Sarah Stone, Robert Strickland, Scooter Turner
Readers also thought they recognized it as these locations in Texas:
Cueva Larga, Big Bend, Palo Duro Canyon, Hueco Tanks, Chisos Mountains and Seminole Canyon
July
The building beside this spring-fed body of water started out as a hotel before becoming a research center studying state water resources. The lake has a colorful history — some of it involving diving farm animals — and is thought to be one of the longest continuously occupied areas in North America.
Answer:
Spring Lake's clear water offers a view of a nearby building that began as resort hotel and is now Texas State's Meadows Center for Water and the Environment in San Marcos. The lake was home to the former Aquarena Springs, which featured mermaind and Ralph the Swimming Pig. Several readers recognized the view, including Jill Ralph and Virginia Naumann, who were Aquamaids themselves!
Congratulations to our readers who knew the answer!
AD Muller, Angie Barnett, Audrey Zigler, Barbara Martinek, Barry Beurerhausen, Betty Vaughan, Bill & JoLee, Bob Emison, Brian Trock, Buddy Lee, Burnard Browning, Candice Powell, Carol Sibley, Carole White, Caroline Jones, Carolyn Balard, Charles Blanton, Cindi Dailey, Connie Einck, Corky Richey, Dan Smith, Danny Bills, Daryl Bley, Dave Pierce, David Leaverton, Denise Goldman, Denise Knibbe, Dennis & Sheree Kasper, Diana Tupa, Dianna Bartosh, Dick Wilgus, Don Baugh, Don Goodenough, Don Knezek, Donita Klement, Donnye Ford, Dudley Oldham, Ed Taylor, Elizabeth Seaver, Ellen Temple, Ellen Vaughan, Eugene Janulis, Evan Yoes, Gary Smith, Gary Whitfield, Gen Ali, Gerald Scholler, Ginny Topley, Glenda Brooks, Glenn Peavy, Harold Simpson, Harry Noland, Holly Middleton, Hugh Wedgeworth, Ida Hudgins, Ilene Cossey, Jack Rhodes, Jack Wilson, James Caldwell, James Rank, Jane Bunte, Jared Holt, Jean & Donald Welch, Jeannene Bunn, Jeannette Macha, Jerry Deal, Jill Ralph, Jim Crain, John Green, John Mayes, John Spears, Judy Bailey, Judy Smith, K Bradley, Karen Heuman, Katherine Morman, Kelly Frels, Kenneth Ehlers, Lana Pullen Guthrie, Lance Raper, Lee Sheffer, Leo Naumann, Letty Garnett, Linda Harvey, Linda Lizun, Lisa Kolb, Liz Allen, Loretta Pickens, Marietta Sacco, Marilyn Jarvis, Marshall Crawford, Martha Manley Malik, Mary Converse, Maureen Nault, Michael Caldwell, Michael Sullivan, Michelle Menchaca, Mike Swope, Myrl Sims, Nancy Shweers, Pam Kelly, Pam Seeley, Pamela Wornom, Pat McQuinn, Patsy West, Paula Jasek, Peggy Pinnell, Rachelle Ainsworth, Randy Baetz, Reagan Voigt, Regina Kazmir, Richard Beaman, Richard Harlow, Richard Murski, Rodney Mahaffey, Ross Schumann, Sabrina Anderson, Sam Howell, Sandra Towery, Scott Boerder, Scott Roberts, Shawn Reeves, Sheridan Duncan, Sherry Neeley, Stephanie Entenza, Steve Chandler, Steve Jones, Sue Gilbert, Susan Benson, Tessa Kolodny, Theresa Brooks, Theresa Hitt, Thomas Carle, Tom Easterday, Tommy Allison, Tracy Hatz, Wanda Salyer, Warren Cash, Weldon Bryant, William Carrington, William Scott
Readers also thought they recognized it as these locations in Texas:
Balmorhea, Texas Water Resource Institute, Marble Falls, Hamilton Pool and Deep Eddy Pool
June
This spring-fed swimming hole has been a favorite cooling-off place for generations of Texans. The waterfall, fern-filled grotto, bald cypress trees and refreshing waters make it a Hill Country oasis. Camping is also available at this privately owned park, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Answer:
June’s Where in Texas? is Krause Springs, a Hill Country oasis that often makes the lists of top swimming holes in Texas.
Reader Gloria Wagner of San Antonio has been visiting Krause Springs since she was a teenager. “We had many family gatherings there,” she says. “A beautiful place.”
Annie Hartnett takes friends and family members camping there each summer for her birthday. She says it’s “the perfect place for summer camping in Texas.”
Congratulations to our readers who knew the answer!
Alessandro Segalini, Andres Cruz, Andrew Mullen, Angela Renfro, Angela Schaefer, Anne Marie Palmer, April Ocker, Benjamin Samudio, Bennett Spelce, Bobby Tipps, Brock Brunner, Carmell Hergert, Caroline Teamann, Carter Hogan, Charles Whitmire, Charles Williams, Charlie Fuhrmann, Chris Boehk, Christy Gorman, Chuck Whitmire, D. Derusha, Dale Langston, Dan Neal, Darlen Pequinot, Dave Bruce, Deanne Brown, Dennis & Sheree Kaspar, Donald Wade, Douglas Pautz, Elizabeth Seaver, Frances Volinsky, Frank Simpson, Glen Farek, Gloria Wagner, Ian Robinson, James Balsam, James Runnels, James Woodfin, Jean Nulf, Jenn Ganley, Jennifer Keizer, Jerri West, John Sommer, John Taylor, Judy Bailey, Judy Salomons, Kelsoe Bailey, Laura Denham, Linda Hackleman, Lisa Briers, Marie Bassett, Mark & Cindi Lombardi, Mark & Janice Ross, Mark Wegner, Marshall Crawford, Matt Sharp, Maureen Appling, Maurie James, Meg Kat, Megan & Christian Heep, Mike Hamlin, Mitzi McCollum, Nolan Covington, Norm Butler, Olivia Palomares, P Barner, Phil Everett, Regina Kazmir, Richard Beightol, Rogers Wells, Ron Kerwin, Ross Schumann, Ruthie Conaway, Sandy Pike, Sarah Huq, Sharon Babb, Sharon Mczygemba, Simon Boaz, Simone Tucker, Steve Seyler, Sue Nichols, T Garrett, Wendy Blackmon, Wes Whiddon
Readers also thought they recognized it as these locations in Texas:
Gorman Falls, Little Arkansas, Blue Hole, Hamilton Pool, Guadalupe River, Aquarena Springs, Comal River, Medina River and Frio River
May
This Texas fort served as one in a line of western defensive forts in the late 1800s. Ruins of the fort remain at what is now a historic site operated by the Texas Historical Commission. A musical pageant celebrating the area's history is performed each summer.
Answer:
May’s Where in Texas? presented a striking scene showing a set of ruins with lightning flashing in the background. The ruins are part of Fort Griffin State Historic Site. This was a land long dominated by bison and the Kiowa and Comanche of the Southern Plains. Fort Griffin was established in 1867 to help settle the frontier. The nearby town called The Flat was one of the West’s wildest places, filled with buffalo hunters, cattle drivers and gamblers. The area’s history is commemorated each June in the Fort Griffin Fandangle, an outdoor musical.
Reader Carolyn Buckley noted similarities between the ruins at Forts Davis, Lancaster and Griffin but recognized these as Fort Griffin’s.
Paul Barner says he immediately turns to Where in Texas? when his issue arrives and is “still batting 100 percent on having visited all the places you have photographed.” He noted that Fort Griffin and The Flat are chock full of Texas history.
Bill Webb says he travels from his Fort Worth-area home “to photograph the night sky at this great spot.”
Congratulations to our readers who knew the answer!
Ally Couch, Anne True, Beth Kisor, Bill Browne, Bob Bluthardt, Brenda Calhoun, Carolyn Buckley, Cathy Couch Alba, Charles Shira, Cindy Meyers Fults, Craig Buzbee, DeAnna Fling, Ed Hunter, Franceso Capone, Henry - age 11, Janice Favor, Jerry Cox, Jim Stanford, John Brotherton, Judy Powell, Karen Luckett, Kristine K, Linda & Frank Field, Linda Leonetti, Lorelei Caracausa, Mark Kolanowski, Mark Wilson, Maureen Leone, Maurie James, Mike Hicks, Mike Laverde, Milton Thompson, P Barner, Raymond Dunnam, Richard Williams, Sally Harvey, Sandy Pike, Trina Wolf
Readers also thought they recognized it as these locations in Texas:
Fort Phantom Hill, Fort Lancaster, Fort Davis, Fort McKavett, Fort DA Russell, Fort Chadbourne, Fort Richardson and Palo Duro Canyon
April
Red poppies brighten the field next to an Alsatian house in this Hill Country town known as "The Little Alsace of Texas." The fachwerk house, originally built in the 1600s and shipped from France in the 1990s, serves as the town's visitor center.
Answer:
April’s Where in Texas? took us to a town rich in history. Castroville, west of San Antonio, is known as “The Little Alsace of Texas.” The first European settlers in the area were farmers from Alsace, a region of France near Germany. They settled along the Medina River in 1844, led by Texas land empresario Henri Castro. Castroville residents say they treasure the fachwerk house (shown in the photo) that serves as the town’s visitor center; reader Janie Posas says she always enjoys the poppies. The Steinbach House was originally built in the 1600s in France and was relocated to Castroville in the 1990s.
Congratulations to our readers who knew the answer!
Albert Thayer, Alice Horecka, Anne True, Antonia Stevens, Bailey Dunlap, Barbara Durbon, Ben Holland, Bev Rakow, Bill Barnhill, Bill Wallace, Bobby Ballard, Bonnie Acuna, Brenda Novosad, Brenda Salzman, Bryan Miller, Carl Baumann, Carol Daiser, Carol Knutson, Carol McKee, Carole Flaherty, Carole White, Cathy Couch Alba, Cathy Edwards, Charles Gregory, Charlotte Lahti, Chris Brauchle, Christian McPherson, Christy Wells, Cori Love, Darren Saxton, David Heallen, Deb Higginbotham, Debbie Bauml, Debbie Swisher, Debra Conkle, Diane Dyess, Dibbi Denson, Dick Wolff, Donna Davisson, Doris Guerra, Dorothy Wallingford, Dudley Oldham, Earl Berry, Edie Salas, Eileen Conley, Elaine Tuttle, Elizabeth Reinhardt, Emmett Doherty, Enrique Cantu, F Kemp, Fredi Adele Sparrow, Gail Dufresne, Gail Kelly, Gary Woods, Gayle Kirkland, Georgina Schwartz, Gerrie Miller, Gordon Eurom, H Ewing, Harold and Anna Louise Hans, Harold Byrd, Herb Nordmeyer, HM Gilley, Jackie Rollins, Jacquy Pearson, James Hrabovsky, James Johnson, James Van Antwerp, Jan Kolesar, Jan Strauss, Jane Knight, Janie Posas, Jean-Michel Lanskin, Jenn S, Jennifer Powell, Jerry Icenhower, Jerry Neely, Jerry Rogers, Jim White, Joanna Moody, Joanne Van Winkle, Joe Straus, Joe Wolf, John Brown, John Elliff, Joyce Hiser, June Kollar, Katherine Weber, Kathie Sweeten, Kathy Eaton, Kathy Hopson, Larry Mitchell, Larry Peterson, Laura Wells, Leroy Walther, Libby Tschirhart, Linda and Frank Field, Lorna Jean Miller, Lou and David Williams, Maidie Phillips, Marian Drummond, Marianne Head, Marilyn Cameron, Mark Hickey, Mary Crawford, Mary Emma Bennett, Mary Rymal, Maurie James, Michael Day, Michaelle Ackerman, Mike Casey, Mike Dacus, Milton Thompson, Mitch Anders, Nancy Hutzler, Natalie Arias, Nigel and Melanie Payne, Norman Horner, Patricia Chandler, Patty Groff, Paul Barner, Paul Shaffino, Paula Bonin, Phyllis Thompson, Pierre Meyer, Priscilla Clemmons, Rhonda Childs, Rick Cook, Robert Cook, Russell Wise, Ryan Grube, S Burney, Shelley Key, SJ Stock, Stockton Williams, Susan Evans, Susan McKenzie, Thomas Berny, Thomas Harmon, Todd Fleming, Tom Sawyer, Tootie Madden, Victor Mata, Victor Vuyosevich, Warren Cash, Yvonne Grothues,
Readers also thought they recognized it as these locations in Texas:
Fredericksburg and the Georgetown Red Poppy Festival
March
This live oak earned its place in history when a famous Texas leader camped under it during the chaotic time between the fall of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. The tree is known by a couple of different names — the name of the leader and the name of the historic event taking place at the time.
Answer:
Our readers know their history — and their trees. They knew that the tree featured in March’s Where in Texas? is the Sam Houston Oak, also known as the Runaway Scrape Oak, outside Gonzales. In the dark times after the 1836 fall of the Alamo, Gen. Sam Houston ordered that Gonzales be evacuated and burned. Soldiers and settlers fled east in the Runaway Scrape, and Houston and his soldiers set up their first encampment under this centuries-old live oak. Reader Paul Barner stopped by to see the tree recently when he visited Palmetto State Park. The historic 1840s McClure-Braches House tipped off some readers. Reader Walter Stubbs lived in the house, a former stagecoach stop, with relatives during World War II. A water well near the big oak is “where we took our baths in a number two washtub, using lye soap, every Saturday night, year-round. Brrr!” Tommie Ann Mudd Knesek “couldn’t believe it” when she saw the photo. Her dad and his family farmed the land and experienced a few ghostly occurrences, including phantom horses and rattling chains, at the house.
Congratulations to our readers who knew the answer!
Alfred Broden, Andrew Lanigan, Andrew Scharcherl, Andrew Wilhoit, Andy Dietrich, Antoinette Brady, April Wright, Archie Thompson, B. Barry, Beth Ward, Bobby Dewar, Brenda Novosad, Brian Olsovsky, Bryan Burton, Byron McCormick, Carol Sagebiel, Chris Whisenand, Cindi Davis, Cindia, Connie Billingsley, Cruz Delagdo, Dan Self, Dana Rogers, Dave Obermann, David Gray, David Hurwich, David Kelly, David Webb, Deborah McCoy, Dennis Henry, Dennis Joe, Dick Elliott, Donna Pelkey, Donna Reeves, Douglas Sharp, Ed Ragan, Eric Bertram, Erica Duncan, Ermene Ford, Frank and Velma Smith, Gene Janulis, Gerald Wilson, Glenn Boenisch, Glenn Brown, HL Johnson, James Couch, James Moseley, Janice Moss-Wren, Janice Wyman, Janine Stubbs, JB Seale, Jeanine Burt, Jerome Janak, Jesse Butler, JN Wear, Jo Sachtleben, John Campbell, John Tolbirt, Jon Ellis, K Rea, Karleen Muschalek McAdams, Kat Tickle, Ken Sample, Laura Stephenson, Lewis Venable Jr., Loretta Pickens, Lynn Roesler, Marjorie Walle, Marshall Crawford, Maureen Leone, Maurie James, Meme Moto, Michael May, Mike Maddox, Mrs. Obert Sagebiel, Myrl Sims, Nancy Foster, Nancy Hutzler, Offie Walker, Oralia Valadez, P. Barner, Patricia Tellman, Pierre Dubois, Richard Young, Rick Powers, Robert Bordovsky, Robert Harrell, Robert Zepeda, Ron Jurica, Rose Dillon, Roy Kitter Halamicek, Rusty Dickerson, Sharone Fontaine, Shelley Key, Steve Banks, Sue Hughes, Suzie Aguilar, Tom Gentry, Wallace Morgan, Walter Cook, Warren Cash
Readers also thought they recognized it as these locations in Texas:
George Ranch, Liendo, Santa Ana tree, Treaty Oak, Varner-Hogg Plantation, Zachary Taylor oak and LBJ White House
January/February
This location, an important stop for migratory birds, is the oldest national wildlife refuge in Texas and is host to one the largest concentrations of sandhill cranes in North America.
Answer:
Many of you knew the answer to our first-ever Where in Texas? photo challenge. We received dozens of responses through email, Facebook and written letter. The sandhill cranes in the photo were wading in a shallow lake at Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in the Panhandle. Large concentrations of the birds gather there each winter, and reader Rae Logan says that "anyone who has seen this sight will not easily forget it."
Congratulations to our readers who knew the answer!
Alices Liles, Alton Taylor, Alvin Curry, Andy Dietrich, Angelika Fuller, Ann Sowder, Bobby Gunnels, Brandon Beversdorf, David Leaverton, Dean Benson, Dean Black, Diane Kretschmer, Diane Moore, Don Baugh, Dylan Lowery, Eddie and Linda Westbrook, Faye Inglis, Floyd and Clarice Roberts, Freddy Delapaz, Gary Conner, Gayla Wardlow, Glenn MacDonald, Jan Woolheater, Jana Ketchum, Janice Grimstad, Jenny Haggard, Jerry Hatfield, Jerry Morgan, Jim Robertson, Johanna Blair, John Hughes, John Koodczak, John Upchurch, Joy Stancell, June Kollar, Kari Roe, Kay Kimbrough, Keith Duesterhaus, Keith Whitaker, Ken Anderson, Kirby Warren, Mary and Paul Williams, Morris Lang, P Rockwood, Paul Barner, Paula Street, Rae Logan, Raymond Denson, Richard Dasheiff, Richard Haynes, Roland Schroeder, Ryan Kelton, S McBride, Sam Akins, Shadow Hibbard, Shep Wallick, Stephen Hilliard, Sue Owen, Terry Dalrymple, Therman Farley
Readers also thought they recognized it as these locations in Texas:
Laguna Atascosa, Pelican Island, Buffalo Lake, Aransas, Tahoka Lake, Buffalo Springs, Lake Meredith and Anahuac.
