Big Thicket-prime shooting spots?

[dana_meier]

I have searched the archives and found very little about the Big

Thicket (Texas). Within the next month or two, I am planning on

spending about 2 days shooting in the Big Thicket. I would like to do

some general nature photography: close ups, landscapes, wildlife. I

know that the Big Thicket covers a large area. (that's why it's

called "Big", right?) If you only had two days, which locations

within the Thicket would you shoot? Any other tips/advice are

welcomed. Thanks in advance for your replies.

[paul_ashton]

I guess Caddo Lake is the number one attraction though it's on

the edge of the Big Thicket per se. I might also suggest the

Texas State Railroad as a possible nature site because the track

winds its way from Palestine to Rusk through the forest, thus

giving a good impression of what it's like.

 

Check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife web page for other

ideas.

[bliorg]

Hi, Dana -

<p>

Big Thicket's inordinately difficult to cover in two days. There's some really interesting stuff; read and familiarize yourself with the info on the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/bith/">NPS site</a>. Get to know <a href="http://www.nps.gov/bith/ppmaps/bithmap%2Epdf">this map</a> - just about everything you want is on it. One of my favorite places is the pitcher plant trail; if you decide to hit this one, be careful - last time I was there, the roads were unmarked, and largely unpaved. I've been through most of the Turkey Creek unit, and areas around the Pine Island unit (Village Creek state park has some great things, but wasn't appropriated into the national preserve, for example; also, the TX Nature Conservancy runs the Roy E. Larson Sandyland Sanctuary in Silsbee - many rare wildflowers).

<p>

There are several species of carnivorous plants and rare wildflowers in this region. Also many types of venomous snakes, some gators, and occassionally, a big cat sighting or two. Take water, <i>lots</i> of DEET, and a cell phone. Wish I was going with you. Email me if you need more info.

[paul_ashton]

Dana, Scott is accurate in his descriptions. I always think of Big

Thicket as the entire East Texas region of "Piney Woods".

Having just returned on one of those mammoth trips from West

Africa I was suffering from jet lag yesterday and had a mental

blank. Yes, take plenty of deet, (Sawyer brand 12 hour cream is

my recommendation) but at least those mozzies won't give you

cerebral malaria.

[al_capizzo1]

Dana,

I know I'm a little late posting this, but if you'd like to research a little more I can recommend: The Natural World of The Texas Big Thicket, Blair Pittman, Texas A&M Press, and Wild Flowers of The Big Thicket, Geyata Ajilvsgi, Texas A&M Press.

Pretty sure both are available from Amazon.

Let us know how it goes.

Al