Bats: A Tourist Attraction in Texas

[Bobbie Ireland]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12613672

Must be quite a sight. Excellent news that they are appreciated.

 

[Donna]

What an amazing sight to see. Thanks.

[dale]

I saw them this New Year's Eve. Only 10% of that freetail bat colony winters in Austin - the rest were in Mexico, but 10% of one gazillion is still a seemingly endless wave of bats that emerge from under that bridge to hunt. It's terrific. Also notable are signs on the bridge that warn visitors to, um, maybe, step back a bit when the bats emerge, because they, um, haven't had a chance to use the batroom (actually they are straight-faced, no-pun signs).

[Bobbie Ireland]

How lucky were you, Dale!

[Patti from Kentucky]

We took a vacation in New Mexico some years back, and the bat emergence from Carlsbad Caverns was one of the highlights around which we planned the trip.  It's a much smaller colony, but still quite impressive (400,000 bats or so).  They don't winter there; they migrate to Mexico for the winter, but you can see their daily entrances and exits all summer, spring, and fall.

[Bobbie Ireland]

We took a vacation in New Mexico some years back, and the bat emergence from Carlsbad Caverns was one of the highlights around which we planned the trip.  It's a much smaller colony, but still quite impressive (400,000 bats or so).  They don't winter there; they migrate to Mexico for the winter, but you can see their daily entrances and exits all summer, spring, and fall.

Patti, you have had some wildlife experiences! I am envious.

[Carol P.]

A long time ago, I saw the bats come out from under a bridge near the river walk in San Antonio, TX.  Very cool.  My hotel room was directly across the street from the Alamo.  Imagine my surprise when I arrived late to my hotel and opened the curtains and saw the Alamo.