Wildlife is all around us.  Every once in a while when driving at night or going on an early morning walk its possible to see an Opossum or Raccoon running across the road.  At the other end of the spectrum a variety of birds, lizards and squirrels are often abundant and easy to see.  Here are some local places to go in Houston to see various types of wildlife predictably.

Like Forrest Gump’s box-o-chocolates (you never know whatchya gonna get!)

• Houston Botanical Garden
• Sheldon Lakes State Park
• San Jacinto State Park
• El Franco Lee Park
• Armand Bayou Nature Center

Waterfowl and other aquatic birds (Nov. thru March for migratory waterfowl)

• McGovern Lake in Herman Park 
• Eastern Glades Wetland in Memorial Park 
• Buffalo Bayou Park
• Cullinan Park
• Willow Waterhole
• Brays Bayou Trails

Colonial aquatic bird breeding rookeries (March through June)

• Joseph A Fiorenza Park
• Resoft Country Park
• John Hargrove Environmental Complex 

Free-tailed bats (best in summer and fall, check websites for emergence times)

• Waugh Street Bat Bridge 
• Watonga Blvd Bat Bridge 

Purple martins coming in to roost (July thru Sept, check website for best viewing times)

• Fountains Shopping Center (Stafford) 

Chimney swifts (check website for best viewing times)

• A variety of sites around town 

Springtime migrant songbirds (late March thru mid May)

• Russ Pittman Park  
• Edith L. Moore Nature Center