On the Road with Rover

Dogs make great traveling companions, but you want to find the right places to stay, eat and play. Try this Austin to Brenham road trip, with stops in between, in the latest issue of Texas Highways. 

The Hill Country on Two Wheels

Texas Bike Tours provides custom, guided rides around Austin and Fredericksburg, for all interests and abilities. It's a great way to see sights such as Luckenbach and the LBJ Ranch up close.

Meet the teams rescuing entangled whales

The U.S. had 123 confirmed entangled whale cases in 2016, probably only a fraction of the actual total. Read why entanglement is a problem for whales and how scientists are trying to solve the problem in my piece for Mental Floss. 

Christmas in the Parks

Luminarias lining a stucco mission building, old-fashioned carols, lights strung across the deck. Texas state parks offer unique ways to celebrate the holidays and enjoy a bit of history or the great outdoors at the same time. Make one of these events your new Christmas tradition.

What do sharks do during a hurricane?

When 2017's powerful hurricanes roared across the ocean, did sharks and other marine life know what was coming? And, if so, what did they do about it? Find out in this piece for Men's Journal online. 

Hurricane Harvey and the chickens

Record-breaking Hurricane Harvey caused widespread destruction along the Texas coast. In addition to the human toll, the storm also affected wildlife, including endangered species. This piece for Texas Climate News explains.

Big Bend Coffee Roasters

People know Marfa, Texas for many things -- its funky radio station, historic hotels, mysterious lights. Add fresh roasted, fair-trade organic coffee to the list. Big Bend Coffee Roasters even offers tours. Read about it in my piece for Texas Highways.

Walls versus Wildlife on the Border

In July, the federal government began unannounced preliminary work on more border wall in Texas, some of it on the grounds of the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. Read more about how this threatens habitat and wildlife in my piece for Audubon News online.

World Heritage Status Protects Dive Sites

A number of stellar scuba diving sites around the planet have been inscribed on the UNESCO
World Heritage Site list. Read what that means and why it matters in my piece for Alert Diver Magazine.

Manta Ray on Australia's Ningaloo Reef, a marine World Heritage Site.

Port Aransas Like a Local

Port A resident, ship captain and fishing guide Bobby Grumbles showed me around. Here are his recommendations for a perfect weekend at this laid-back Texas beach town.

Wet your Whistle in Alpine

The Saddle Club, a boldly decorated bar in a former Alpine saddle shop, serves creative cocktails and inspired dishes you might not expect to find in a small West Texas town. Pull up a bar stool -- or a saddle.

Changing How Solar Power Rolls

A new solar array design rolls up into a lightweight, compact cylinder, perfect for launching into space. NASA recently tested the design on the International Space Station for potential use on future spacecraft, including satellites.

Tiny Stowaways in Space

Wherever people go, we take microorganisms with us. Read how NASA makes sure these tiny stowaways don't become a problem on the International Space Station.

Coral reefs from Texas to Townsville socked by climate change

A pair of stories for Texas Climate News looking at global bleaching events and the effects on reefs around the world, especially the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and the Great Barrier Reef.

Don't feed the wildlife

People love to feed wild animals, everything from birds to sharks. This is seldom a good thing for the wildlife, and can be bad for people, too. Read about some of the reasons to step away from the chum.

Poachers are using scientific papers to find their targets

When scientists publish about the discovery of a new species, or the rediscovery of one thought extinct, their most excited readers are sometimes poachers. An essay in Science argues that sometimes locations should be kept secret to protect plants and animals from collection and, possibly, even extinction. My take on this problem for Mental Floss.

Dive the Texas Caribbean

The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, 100 miles off the Texas coast, protects 56 square miles of thriving coral reef ecosystems. See it via a liveaboard dive boat.

The Wide Open Spaces of Big Bend

Welcome to Brewster County, Texas, all 6,169 square miles of it, one of my favorite parts of the state. Take a tour of its offerings with County Judge Eleazar Cano.

Grapevine Hills Trails in Big Bend National Park.

She Sees Seashells Down on the Seashore

A look at the science and pleasure of seashells on the vast Texas coast, including the fine art of beachcombing and the best places for it.

Playing Tag with Sharks

Scientists tag sharks to learn more about their movements and habitat use, which helps identify areas that most need protection. A behind-the-scenes look at a shark tagging expedition off the coast of Florida.

Measuring and tagging a tiger shark.

Cats and Nature

Cats are great in memes and videos on the Internet, but out in the real world, they pose a serious threat to man and nature. Read more here.

New Braunfels Weekend

This Hill Country town offers great weekend diversions. What better tour guide than the current mayor, a life-long resident? Read his recommendations in my Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine article.