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    play ball!

    Houston Astros Opening Day 2023: Mark Wahlberg, Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott, and Cody Johnson star in season start

    Steven Devadanam
    Mar 31, 2023 | 6:00 am

    Seems like only yesterday that our Houston Astros were partying downtown at their 2022 World Series Championship parade. But in a blink, the team returned to Minute Maid Park to kick off Opening Day of the 2023 season on Thursday, March 30 against the Chicago White Sox.

    CultureMap was there as our world champions were joined by superstars Mark Wahlberg and Cody Johnson and hometown favorites Megan Thee Stallion and Travis Scott (Hot Girl Megan threw out the first pitch). Wahlberg, a close friend of third base hero Alex Bregman, called Breggy his "favorite Yankee Killer" and wished the new dad and champion a very happy happy birthday (he turned 29 the same day).

    Astros owner Jim Crane and wife Whitney literally rode in with the World Championship trophies and joined manager Dusty Baker, Jr. who asked the eager crowd: "Are you ready for another one?" — to an enthusiastic roar. After a big reveal of the new season slogan "Ready 2 Reign" and appearances by Wahlberg, the Cranes, a ceremonial first pitch by Megan, it was game on.

    Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez threw five innings, giving up no runs in only 85 pitches and four strikeouts.The game stayed scoreless until the 7th inning, when Yordan Alvarez scored from third base on a wild pitch. White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease threw seven innings and recorded 10 strikeouts, whole tight defense from the 'Stros kept the game scoreless through seven innings — until White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal hit a solo home run in the eighth.

    The Astros gave up two more runs in the top of the ninth, then came a mammoth, 442-foot upper-deck home run in the bottom of the inning by star slugger Yordan Alvarez. His blast wasn't enough, however, as the Sox bested the Houston Astros 3-2. Historically, the Astros have won 10 straight Opening Day games.

    Broadcast on ESPN, the game was speedy thanks in part to the new pitch clock, starting at 6:08 pm and ending just before 9 pm. Fans can catch the team again at 7:10 pm Friday, March 31 against the Sox as the Astros will receive their World Series rings. The four-game home stand against the Sox runs through Sunday, April 2.

    --- Additional reporting by Marco Torres/Marco From Houston

      

    Photo by Marco Torres/@MarcoFromHouston

    Bregman looks down on Yoán Moncada after tagging him out.

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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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