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    Celebrate

    President George H. W. Bush makes electrifying skydive jump for 90th birthday celebration

    Kate Bentsen
    Kate Bentsen
    Jun 12, 2014 | 11:44 am

    Do you have the nerve to jump out of a helicopter today? How about when you're 90? In celebration of the big 9-0, President George H.W. Bush made his eighth parachute jump to prove that he's still got it. After skydiving for his 80th and 85th birthdays, he declared that he would of course be returning for his 90th.

    Despite his inability to walk due to complications from Parkinson's, Bush tweeted his excitement this morning, proving that he was sticking to his word.

    It's a wonderful day in Maine -- in fact, nice enough for a parachute jump.

    — George Bush (@GeorgeHWBush) June 12, 2014

    Granddaughter Jenna Bush Hager was there to cheer on her gramps at the site in Kennebunkport, Maine.

    Jenna Bush Hager gives her grandfather a big hug before his 90th birthday jump! pic.twitter.com/7JwfgiPHRX

    — karen trosset (@ktro21) June 12, 2014

    The former president's first jump occurred nearly 70 years ago when he was shot down over the Pacific Island of Chi Chi Jima on Sept. 2, 1944, while serving as a naval aviator in World War II. This time he made the 10,000 foot tandem jump with Mark Elliot and other retired members of the U.S. Army Golden Knights.

    You can watch the raw, uncut video of this morning's events here.

    Why does President Bush choose to celebrate his birthday by skydiving instead of a round of golf or dinner with the family? As he explained on his 85th birthday,

    There are two reasons for doing it. One of them is that it feels good, it's exhilarating...You get charged up and excited... Second, it sends a message all around the globe that just because you're an old guy doesn't mean you have to sit around drooling in the corner. Get out and do something; get out and enjoy life."

    "Pres George W Bush w his mother and daughter pre-jump," Jim McGrath tweets.

    George H.W. Bush skydive 90th birthday
      
    Jim McGrath Twitter
    "Pres George W Bush w his mother and daughter pre-jump," Jim McGrath tweets.
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    birds are real

    Texas flies high as the 3rd best state for birdwatching, study finds

    Amber Heckler
    Apr 30, 2025 | 9:15 am
    Roseate spoonbill, birdwatching in Houston
    Photo by Paul Crook on Unsplash
    You might find a roseate spoonbill hanging around in Houston's natural areas.

    This is the year Texans get outdoors and enjoy the sound of birdsong: The Lone Star State has soared to the top as the No. 3 best state for birdwatching in 2025, according to a new study by Lawn Love.

    The report ranked all 50 states based on five "feather-forward" categories, such as each state's climate, conservation efforts, access to parks and sanctuaries, number of bird varieties, and general popularity of the hobby.

    California (No. 1) and Florida (No. 2) were the two bird-loving states that scored higher than Texas, while New York (No. 4) and Washington (No. 5) rounded out the top five.

    Here's how the report breaks down Texas' rank across the five main categories:

    • No. 1 – Bird variety rank
    • No. 1 – Conservation rank
    • No. 7 – Access rank
    • No. 25 – Climate rank
    • No. 41 – Popularity rank

    Lawn Love's findings revealed that 679 different species of birds can be found in Texas, which is the second greatest numerical variety of birds nationwide. The report added there are five different Audubon societies and sanctuaries in the state, and 19 wildlife refuges.

    Audobon Texas' "Lights Out, Texas!" campaign is a major contributor to the state's No. 1 rank in conservation, as the program raises awareness and educates about light pollution, which effects billions of migratory birds that fly through the state every year.

    "Approximately 1 of every 3 birds migrating through the U.S. in spring, and 1 of every 4 birds migrating through the U.S. in the fall, or nearly two billion birds, passes through Texas in one of the planet’s great wildlife spectacles," the Audubon website says. "Unfortunately, light emanating from our cities can disorient birds, leaving them confused and vulnerable to urban threats like collisions with buildings."

    In 2020, Houston was certified as “Bird City” from Audubon Texas and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s inaugural Bird City Texas program. The city held the designation until 2022.

    Birdwatching for beginners in Houston
    Houston is no stranger to this fun (and inexpensive) hobby, having been ranked the third best U.S. city for birding in 2023. The Houston Audubon is the best local resource for diving into the world of birdwatching, and its organizers host events and field trips across all skill levels.

    The society manages 17 nature sanctuaries in the Houston and Galveston area, totaling more than 4,100 acres of land.

    "Established in 1969 as an autonomous, self-supporting chapter of the National Audubon Society, Houston Audubon's mission is to advance the conservation of birds and their habitats in the Greater Houston Gulf Coast region," its website says. "This is accomplished through acquiring and maintaining critical habitat as bird sanctuaries, providing education programs and nature experiences, and advocating policy and management actions in support of the mission."

    The Audubon lists dozens of birds that can be found in the Upper Texas Coast throughout the year, including cerulean warblers, mourning doves, roseate spoonbills, Carolina wrens, and more.

    Free apps like Merlin Bird ID and Audubon Bird Guide are handy tools for tech-savvy beginners to get acquainted with their local bird species. For those who prefer a physical field guide, Houston Audubon recommends David Allen Sibley's books, such as The Sibley Guide to Birds Second Edition. Enthusiasts who want to test their skills on a road trip would get good use out of The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America, which also covers most areas of Texas.

    Houstonians can also make a day out of birdwatching by visiting several city parks or taking a drive to Brazos Bend State Park.

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