Handwoven souvenirs in Paint Rock

Ingrid's Custom Handwoven Rugs in Paint Rock sells rugs, saddle blankets and placemats woven from goat, alpaca, llama, yak, and even bison hair. The creations are sold all over the country, or you can buy one right in the shop. Read more about Ingrid's and Paint Rock in my Souvenir column for Texas Highways.

Trophy hunting's contribution to loss of African wildlife

Poaching and habitat loss may be worse, but trophy hunting plays a role in the drastic decline in iconic African animals such as lions and elephants. The killing of Cecil, a popular wild lion in Zimbabwe, has put a spotlight on this issue. Read more on Men's Journal online.

The Lure of Open Space

Spending even a short amount of time outdoors provides such benefits as stress reduction, creative inspiration, and better health. Texas cities offer unique open spaces where you can enjoy these benefits. Read about some of the best in my piece for Texas Highways.

Wine in a can

Putting wine in a can makes it lightweight, unbreakable, and crushable (nice when backpacking out your empties). Even better if it is good wine. Here is a review of the current crop of canned wines according to Devon Broglie, MS, associate global beverage buyer for Whole Foods, for Men's Journal.

Ready for your close-up, Mr. Butterfly?

Alex Wild, curator of the entomology collection at The University of Texas, is on a mission: to photograph as many of the world's ten million or so species of insects as possible and make them publicly available. We're not talking snapshots, either - these are professional portraits. Wild is also training students to follow in his footsteps, and you can help support his efforts. Read more in The Alcalde.

Eastern tiger swallowtail, Papilio glaucus, by Insectsunlocked.

Tony's ARK

Since 1976, Tony Amos has been rescuing injured marine wildlife at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas. The creatures are cared for at the Animal Rehabilitation Keep, or, aptly, the ARK. Read more in this piece for The Alcalde.

Noise versus Nature

Manmade noise increasingly intrudes upon natural places, and that is bad news for the creatures that live in those places and the people who want to enjoy them. Read more in this piece for Texas Co-op Power Magazine.