The Ultimate Texas Adventure

For award-winning nature photographer Ian Shive, it’s the unique intertwining of exploration and adventure that attracts him to Texas. Whether camouflaged in the marshlands searching for whooping cranes, one of the rarest birds in the world, or waist-deep in Gulf Coast waters on a rescue mission of an injured (but adorable!) sea turtle, the art of capturing these critical conservation stories is what drives Ian to pursue his lifelong passion. The opportunity to witness the recovery of these species and their natural, protected habitat is a bucket list achievement for anyone who appreciates the beauty of our planet.

Even in a mysterious cavern where darkness prevails, adventure still abounds, because the wonder of Texas’ natural world doesn’t end in daylight. In the Hill Country, this unique, geologic formation has given rise to legends of paranormal activity. The only way to unravel fact from fiction is for Ian to descend into this deep, subterranean underworld, where winding tunnels reveal wondrous crystalline rock formations and rich human history dating back to the first humans to inhabit the region. Will his photos also reveal the ghosts of legend and lore?

These incredible once-in-a-lifetime trips do more than stir the imagination…they stir Ian’s appetite! Leaving behind the hip waders and headlamps, Ian refuels at his favorite barbecue spot in East Austin, where the briskets are juicy and tender, the pickles crack like a whip, and the smell of post oak smoke lingers in your memory for days. This isn’t just your typical Texas barbecue, though. The wife-and-wife chefs separate their restaurant from the rest of Texas BBQ by infusing flavors with ingredients from their world travels. And like Ian, they think of food like photography, as an art form.

With a full stomach, the journey comes full circle, as Ian teams up with a leading interior designer to transform a drab room into a fab creative space. Of course, the design is inspired by what else but Ian’s photographs from this ultimate Texas adventure! Stormy skies, dramatic rock outcroppings, and pastel sunsets create a palette of inspiration. In the end, a gallery wall leaves you with only one question left…where in Texas do we go next?