wildlife Archives - Compassionate Women

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

August 12, 2017 by Jillian

There is so much to see and do at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Texas! If you’re in the Rio Grande Valley or traveling through, come check out the 2,088 acre refuge in the town of Alamo. There’s 14 miles of trails, tons of species of birds, a rope bridge, tree tower, observation decks, visitor’s center, nature tram, and historic cemetery. See my favorite photos below from my past two adventures at the refuge, including how I conquered my fear of heights and also thought I got locked inside the refuge at night!

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Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary

June 5, 2017 by Jillian Leave a Comment

If your favorite color is bright green then you are going to enjoy this post. Disclaimer: You may have to shield your eyes from all the bright green colors of nature 💚🌳✅🐸

While I was still living in the pine filled region of southeast Texas I discovered a hidden gem that not many people know about. The Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary is right on a Texas highway in the small town of Kountze, but it’s easy to miss the entrance. I remember driving along the highway, thinking I had the wrong address because I was totally not seeing an entrance to any kind of park or sanctuary. Finally, I noticed a small wooden sign that blended in perfectly with the tree trunks surrounding it. Found it!

With over 5500 acres and multiple trails to explore, the Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary is a quiet retreat for nature lovers who want to hike, bike, photograph, or simply enjoy the great outdoors. Here’s some of my fav photos from one of my visits there 📷

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Beaumont Botanical Gardens

October 10, 2016 by Jillian 2 Comments

I spent most afternoons this past summer walking barefoot through the botanical gardens in Beaumont, Texas 👣🌺🐝🌴 It was never crowded and many times I was the only person there. The botanical gardens are tucked away in the expansive Tyrrell Park in southern Beaumont. The outside gardens, pictured here, are free and open from daylight till dark every day.

What are some perks of traversing these lovely grounds? For starters, there are wild bunnies hopping around 🐇🐰 I’ve also seen a raccoon on the trail as well as a pretty ginormous snake 🐍 There’s lots of cute lizards and butterflies and bees, and of course brightly colored flowers and fragrant roses.

I brought my camera along for my last couple of visits to the Beaumont Botanical Gardens. Here are my favorite pictures 📷

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The Quiet Consequences of Elephant Poaching

July 21, 2016 by Jillian 2 Comments

I’ve always loved elephants for as long as I can remember. The older I get, the more amazed I am by them. They are incredible and endearing. They are wrinkly and gorgeous. They are smart and feel many of the same emotions as humans. And they are disappearing at an alarming rate.

It’s pretty common knowledge that this tragedy is due largely to the ivory trade. Presently, eight out of ten elephants are killed for their ivory, rather than dying naturally. Despite recent efforts to ban the trade of ivory, elephants could be extinct in 10-15 years with the current rate of poaching.

What most people don’t think about, however, is the baby elephants that are left for dead when their families are killed for ivory, the poacher’s side of the story, and the entire ecosystem supported by the presence of these magnificent creatures.

I sat down and watched the critically acclaimed documentary Gardeners of Eden to learn more about the struggle behind poaching & the ivory trade, and the incredible organization in Africa fighting to save an entire species. The following are facts that everyone should know.

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Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center

September 24, 2015 by Jillian 2 Comments

The saying third time’s a charm was definitely true in my experience with visiting Shangri La. The first time my friend and I visited a couple of years ago, we got inside the gates, we watched the welcome video, we were ready to explore the beautiful gardens that awaited us, and bam! – thunder and torrential downpour. We intended to visit again a year later when I was in town for the weekend. We were ready to spend all day Sunday gallivanting around Shangri La, and due to poor planning on our part, realized too late that they are closed on Sunday 🙁

Fast forward four months and finally the magic happens 🎉🎉 It only took about two years. So worth it, though! Shangri La Botanical Gardens is located in the heart of Orange, Texas, which is really close to the Louisiana state line. You can tour the gardens, visit the gift shop, and grab a snack at the cafe. Here is their info:

Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center

2111 West Park Avenue

Orange, Texas 77630

I really enjoyed exploring the natural beauty, the creative landscaping, and the wildlife. It’s very peaceful and inspiring. Here are some of my favorite photos from our visit, but I encourage you to visit and see for yourself 🌻

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