Howdy Partner! Welcome to the Beautiful Brazos Valley! We are well known around these parts as being home to Texas A&M University, but aside from our college town roots and rich agricultural history, have you ever stopped to marvel at all the local flora and fauna around you?
Are you a budding mycophile, or do you have your binoculars ready to catch that rarely-seen hawk? Do you like to photograph flowers or identify tree species? Then we have got the comprehensive list for you! Read on to discover how beautiful our little corner of Texas can be, especially in the spring and summer when the land is alive with a gorgeous array of flora. Another good time to visit is in early spring, when you might catch a glimpse of some young fauna roaming around! Use iNaturalist for identification assistance of any of the species we mention.
Flora of Brazos Valley
Use this guide on your next hike to identify some of the various flora in the Brazos Valley. Of course, the best time to see flora in all its glory is late spring/early summer, but the Live Oak is nearly always evergreen, changing its leaves only once a year in the spring. Also, fair warning: Texas has its share of Poison Ivy, too, so make sure you know how to identify and stay away from this itch-inducer!
Trees/Shrubs
Texas has its share of evergreen trees and shrubs like Juniper, Mountain Laurel, and Magnolia, and many species found here can be found across various regions of the US. Interestingly, Texas is the vegetative center of the US, growing both Eastern and Western varieties across its vast and various landscapes.
- Live Oak: Known as the Southern Live Oak, this tree is mainly found in the Southeastern portion of the United States. This iconic tree of the Old South is huge, and old specimens can be found aplenty here in the Brazos Valley (we even have a town named after it in Texas!) For a great stop on your road trip, check out the Big Tree (Texas’ largest live oak) located at Goose Island State Park near Rockport, TX.
- Honey Mesquite: This deciduous, thorny shrub is home to countless bird species along the Southwestern US. A running bush with a deep root system is often found on deep sandy soil beds, with the largest trees often found along water courses or floodplains.
- Coralberry or BuckBrush (also called Indian Currant) is a woody flowering plant in the honeysuckle family. This shrub may have an edible-sounding name but don’t eat the berries as they can be poisonous to humans and small animals.
Flowers
Texas, known for its wide-spanning landscapes and varied microclimates, boasts an array of diverse floral variations. However, it is common to find Texas sharing several flower species with its neighboring states. They might be home to different environments, but nature always finds a way to sow these seeds of connection!The vibrant beauty of flowers is typically best appreciated from late spring to early summer. This is the period when they’re in full bloom, showcasing their radiant colors and delicate intricacies. It’s a sight you wouldn’t want to miss!
- Texas Bluebonnets: This particular plant is among the most recognizable in our beloved state and proudly holds the title of our State Flower! You’ll recognize them instantly, so feel free to snap some pics for your #gram, but please tread lightly. It’s important not to trample them and allows for everyone to savor the sight of our gloriously vibrant bluebonnets!
- Texas Vervain: This tall, slender, drought-tolerant plant is commonly found in prairies and meadows and is native to much of the Southern US. They grow 18-24” tall with delicate light purple flowers.
- Texas Paintbrush or Indian Paintbrush gets its name because of its tall stem and bright red flowers. Spot this native to TX, OK & LA along roadways and in open spaces like prairies, meadows, and pastures. Paintbrush are also commonly spotted alongside bluebonnets.
Mushrooms
For the mycophiles in the bunch, Texas certainly has its variety! Of course, you can find common edible varieties like Turkey Tail, chicken of the woods, oyster mushrooms, and more. Be careful of poisonous species like the death cap mushroom or the destroying angel. It is crucial to correctly identify and refrain from consuming unfamiliar fungi to ensure safety while enjoying the state’s natural beauty!
- Southern Jack O Lantern: This fungus grows on dead and dying trees, with a fruiting body appearing in clusters. It is orange to brown-orange and is mildly poisonous to humans (causing gastrointestinal distress). It is also bioluminescent, producing a faint green glow around the gills.
- Puffballs: You can find several of the puffball varieties of mushrooms in the Brazos Valley! Some of the more common species you’ll find here are the Common Puffball, Common Earthball, Dead Man’s Foot, Meadow, Brain, Spiny and Pear-shaped Puffballs.
- Devil’s Dipstick: This banded worm-shaped mushroom typically grows on woody debris or leaf litter in small groups. The best times for viewing are late summer through early fall. Because of its smell, it is recommended as non-edible, but there are reports that immature “eggs” have been consumed. Yuck!
Fauna of Brazos Valley
If wildlife is your thing, then Brazos Valley will not disappoint. Besides the Aggieland Drive-Thru Safari, you can check out the native (and no so native) wildlife that roams our grasslands and woods. Grab your camera and trek out into the wilderness; hopefully, you’ll catch sight of some local Brazos Valley wildlife.
Birds
Birdwatching in the Brazos Valey can be a fun activity no matter what your age! So break out those binoculars and get your cameras ready to catch sights of owls, hawks, and common birds like cardinals and bluejays. Remember the grackle; we’ve got them aplenty down here! Here are a few that you should be on the lookout for, as they are a little less common!
- Roadrunner: The largest member of the cuckoo family, this super speed bird is much smaller than those cartoons depicted at only 12” tall! While this bird technically flies, it prefers to spend its time on the ground. This is America’s fasted flighted bird, clocking speeds up to 26mph on foot!
- Birds of Prey: From hawks to vultures, Texas has its share of large predatory birds. Point your eyes toward the skies and look for both the Red-Tailed and Red-Shouldered Hawk. See if you can spot the differences between them. If you’re lucky, we’ve even seen a few Bald Eagles from time to time!
- Owls: There are at least ten owl species that you can find in Texas. If you listen closely, you can tell which one you are listening to by their distinctive calls. Look for the classic Great Horned Owl, Barn Owl, and Screech Owl, as they are all pretty common owls in Texas.
The best Birdwatching parks in Bryan are Lake Bryan, Finfeather Lake, and Williamson Park. In College Station, you can find excellent birdwatching viewpoints from Brison Park, Veteran’s Park, Beek Creek Park, Brother’s Pond, and Carter Lake.
Mammals
While Texas has a diverse collection of animals, you can always find common mammals like red foxes, white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums, coyotes, and the famed armadillo everywhere. But keep your eyes out for some of these harder-to-find fauna in our lovely state!
- Black-Tailed Jackrabbit: These guys are hard to miss with their gigantic ears! Commonly found in the Western US, this large member of the hare family is the 3rd largest North American Hare.
- Red Deer: Although this species of deer is native to Europe, it has been introduced here, and populations are growing. Consider yourself lucky if you get a rare look at one of these beauties!
- River Otters: Being home to the longest river in Texas (Brazos River) you can spend hours watching the otters play along the banks. A favorite pastime of some locals!
Remember! Be cautious of the wildlife! Bobcats are known to inhabit all of the United States, and if you’ve never encountered one, lucky you. But they are around and you should be cautious if you encounter one. Also, be wary if you encounter aggressive wild swine, particularly the wild boar, as they are common in this area. Quite adept at adapting to a diverse range of habitats. Wild boars are very common in our agricultural area, so know what to do if you encounter one! Last but not least, be aware of coyotes. Usually, they are more scared of humans than vice versa, but it is still an excellent protocol to make as much noise as possible to scare them off.
If you are considering a night hike to observe the local wildlife, please be prepared, and STAY CAUTIOUS!! Here are a few tips for watching wildlife at night:
- Cover your flashlight or lantern with red saran wrap or tissue paper. Many nocturnal animals do not pick up the red end of the light spectrum, so you can easily shine this colored light on them with minimal disturbance.
- Listen – wildlife viewing is about more than just seeing animals. Step outside and just listen to the variety of wildlife around you. Try to differentiate the different calls of owls, bats, and other nocturnal animals in the dark.
- If birds are your thing, take a gander outside in late summer or early fall just before dark for nighthawks and swifts catching bugs overhead.
Amphibians & Snakes
If herping is more your thing, the Brazos Valley will not disappoint! Remember, when hunting snakes, knowing the difference between venomous and non-venomous snakes is important wherever you are camping. Here in Texas, we have four poisonous snake species, including copperheads, cottonmouths (water moccasins), rattlesnakes and coral snakes. Here are some friendlier snake varieties to be on the lookout for:
- Snakes: Aside from venomous snakes, here are some non-venomous varieties to look out for Speckled King Snake, Diamondback Watersnake, Milksnakes, and Coachwhips. Remember, even if a snake is not venomous, it can still bite you!
- Turtles: Texas has a good variety of turtles if you are a fan of the terrapin. Of course you’ll find common species like the Box, Snapping and Common Pond Turtle, but if you have a good eye, you may catch the rare Ornate Box, Florida Red Belly, or the Texas Tortisise.
- Lizards: If you like lizards, Texas is your state! From geckos to gators, we’ve got a wide variety (yes, we know gators aren’t really lizards). Common species to be found are Texas Horned Lizards, Mediterranean geckos, and a variety of skinks. Also, be on the lookout for brown and green anoles. These nifty little lizards will show you the colorful dewlap that protrudes from their throat if you’re lucky!
We can’t help but feel awe-inspired by the serenity and beauty of the place we call home. From sapphire bluebonnets dotting the landscape to white-tailed deer traipsing through open fields, the vibrant flora and extraordinary fauna are treasures of nature that deserve preservation. Explore the Brazos Valley and embark on a journey that reminds you of nature’s biodiversity and her resilience to sustain life – resiliently – amid our rapidly advancing world. Such diversity should be acknowledged, observed, cherished, and shielded in pursuit of a balanced ecosystem and enriched lives.
If you find yourself longing to see the flora and fauna we’ve described, then come rest your shells with us here at Galloping Snail RV Park in the heart of the Brazos Valley!