Fennessey Ranch

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Site Photography by Sean Fitzgerald Ruth Hoyt/John Pickles, and Rolf Nussbaumer.

The Fennessey Ranch is part of a legendary 750,000 acre Texas land empire that has remained in the same family for 171 years. The ranch consists of 4,000 acres of abundant wetlands, meadows, natural lakes, riparian woods and brush land and bordered on three sides by the Mission River. The Fennessey is located in the heart of the Central Flyway along a region of the Texas coastline known as the "Coastal Bend." The Fennessey has opened its gates for a wide array of unique recreational opportunities.

It was heartbreaking to watch the Fennessey struggle with the worst drought since 1950. We turned on the wetland pumps for 6 months and still watched the fawns die and food grow scarce for the critters, birds and butterflies. We were beginning to wonder if it would ever rain again and now we are in flood stage !
The eagles are back and nesting. The 2 adults brought back an immature chick from last year. We will watch their behavior when the chicks hatch.
You will notice we have expanded our programs for photography. The Fennessey placed 3rd in the Coastal Bend Wildlife contest with Todd and Nancy Steele. Todd is developing various seminars and we have developed an innovative club together ! We are offering the keys to the Fennessey Ranch to photographers and nature lovers during the year. You will be able to access the ranch during the prime months and free to use the ranch without escort. (Contact for Details)
We would like to thank Nikon for providing shirts to 347 kids and the presenters for Monarch Madness. This was our 4th year of hosting 5th and 6th graders to tag monarchs. We would also like to thank the University of Houston and Aransas Wildlife Refuge AND all of our presenters who helped on October 30, 2009. Those heroes are listed on www.fennesseyranch.com . Dennis Olle and team counted 55 species of butterflies.