Capturing the Beauty of Texas

From a Bat Cave to biodiverse nature preserves, discover why visitors have been flocking to the natural wonders nestled throughout Texas. Conservationist and Nature Photographer Ian Shive visits Big Thicket National Preserve and the Bracken Bat Cave for Nature in Focus.

Presented by Travel Texas.

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August 04, 2021

By: Ian Shive

Show: Nature in Focus

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Photo By: Ian Shive / Discovery

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

This is the carnivorous pale pitcher plant.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

Pitcher plants are passive plants that do not use movement to capture their prey, which are insects.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

They attract their prey with color, nectar, and scents.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

The insect is then trapped inside the pitcher plant from a combination of a slippery, waxy surface, a haired lining, and a digestive fluid at the bottom.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

Pitcher plants grow well in this region due to the poor draining of the ecosystem.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

As many as 11 different ecosystems have been identified in Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas, including numerous swamps and wetlands.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

Kayaking through Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

Kayaking through Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

Kayaking through Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

Alligator, Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

Alligator, Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

Detail of algae and grasses, Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

A crawfish feeds in a pond in Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

An ibis in flight, Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

Reflection of pine trees and brush in a small pond, Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

Pathways and details through Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas.

Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

Pathways and details through Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas.

Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Texas

Cypress grove and landscape photos from Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Texas.

Braken Bat Cave, Texas

Mexican free-tailed bats emerging from Bracken Bat Cave.

Bracken Bat Cave, Texas

These bats will devour tons of agricultural pests and insects nightly.

Bracken Bat Cave, Texas

Bats nationwide save billions of dollars of agricultural products from pests every year.

Bracken Bat Cave, Texas

The nightly emergence of 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats at Bracken Bat Cave, managed by Bat Conservation International, is a stunning wildlife spectacle!

Bracken Bat Cave, Texas

Detail of Texas Giant Walking Sticks, frequently seen along the trails near Bracken Bat Cave, which is operated by Bat Conservation International.

Bracken Bat Cave, Texas

Detail of a Mexican free-tailed bat, which populates Bracken Cave, the site of the largest mammal gathering on the planet. This bat is part of a bat education program.

Bracken Bat Cave, Texas

Detail of a Mexican free-tailed bat, which populates Bracken Cave, the site of the largest mammal gathering on the planet. This bat is part of a bat education program.

Bracken Bat Cave, Texas

This bat is part of a bat education program.

Ghost Road Scenic Drive, Texas

Entrance to the "Ghost Road Scenic Drive", part of Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas.

Ghost Road Scenic Drive, Texas

The Ghost Road Scenic Drive is an allegedly haunted road where a mysterious light appears at night, possibly the ghost of a railroad worker who died an untimely death in the 1900s. This light appeared to photographer Ian Shive, though was most likely an optical illusion caused by passing cars.

Ghost Road Scenic Drive, Texas

Photographer and host Ian Shive observes the canopy over the Ghost Road Scenic Drive, Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas.

Ghost Road Scenic Drive, Texas

Photographer and host Ian Shive believes the myterious "Light of Saratoga" along the Ghost Road Scenic Drive, in Big Thicket National Preserve, may have a more natural explanation.

Ghost Road Scenic Drive, Texas

Using long exposure techniques with sensitive camera systems, Ian caught lights floating over the road...fireflies!