Hill Country Conservancy

Did something just flash across the trail? Chances are, it was a Texas spotted whiptail! 🦎

One of 11 species of “racerunner” lizards found in Texas, spotted whiptails are known for their quick bursts of speed and nonstop energy. These skilled hunters spend their days darting through dry grasslands and rocky terrain in search of insects, pausing only briefly to soak up the sun before racing off again.

Spotted whiptails are famously skittish. At the slightest sign of danger, they vanish in an instant, making sightings feel extra special for observant trail users and wildlife photographers alike.

These incredible photos were captured by Chi-Wei Chang of Wind Water Wild. Swipe to see an amazing action shot of a spotted whiptail enjoying a dragonfly snack.

Want to learn how to capture nature moments like these? Join Chi-Wei for our Lens on Nature: Photo Walk at Nalle Bunny Run Wildlife Preserve on Saturday, June 13. Participants will learn photography tips while exploring one of Austin’s most beautiful natural spaces.

Click the link to learn more and sign up now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lens-on-nature-photo-walk-tickets-1980477258794?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

📸 Chi-Wei Chang

Step into nature and see what comes into focus 📸🌿

Join us for a morning Lens on Nature: Photo Walk at Nalle Bunny Run Wildlife Preserve on Saturday, June 13. Led by Chi-Wei Chang, founder of Wind Water Wild, this guided walk invites participants to slow down and notice the patterns, textures, light, and hidden details in nature that help calm the mind and reset the nervous system.

Part photo walk, part visual scavenger hunt, this experience is open to everyone—whether you shoot with a DSLR, film camera, or just the phone in your pocket. Expect creative prompts, peaceful moments, and a fresh way to experience the preserve.

No photography experience needed—just curiosity and a willingness to look a little closer.

🔗 Click the link to learn more and sign up now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lens-on-nature-photo-walk-tickets-1980477258794?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

During a recent site visit at Pecan Springs Karst Preserve, Conservation Science Specialist James Hall made an exciting discovery—a pair of fledgling Black vultures tucked inside an old hunting blind.

Unlike many birds, vultures don’t build traditional nests. Instead, they lay their eggs directly on the ground in sheltered spaces like caves, dense thickets, hollow logs, and abandoned structures like this one.

While vultures are often overlooked, they play a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by helping clean up carrion and prevent the spread of disease. Nature’s cleanup crew at work!

📸 James Hall

Rise and shine, bird lovers! 🐦🌿

Kick off your Saturday morning with a peaceful Birding + Nature Hike at Nalle Bunny Run Wildlife Preserve on Saturday, June 6. Join Texas Master Naturalist and experienced birder Mikael Behrens for a guided walk through one of Austin’s hidden natural gems as we search for spring birds and explore the plants and wildlife that call the preserve home.

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just curious about the sounds and colors of the Hill Country, this hike is a great way to slow down, connect with nature, and start your weekend outdoors.

Click the link to learn more and sign up now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-nature-hike-at-nalle-bunny-run-wildlife-preserve-tickets-1981018989124?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true