Early Bird

Hill Country nature park crows over first bald eagle sighting of the season

The first eagle sighting came early this year.

Photo by Sylvia Flannery

There’s no other way to put it, folks: The eagle has landed.

Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park & Resort, located in the Highland Lakes region along Lake Buchanan near the Hill Country community of Burnet, is reporting it had its first sighting of the season of a mature American bald eagle on August 1.

The sighting, which comes months earlier than the normal first sighting of the season, was noted after an eagle-eyed resort staffer spotted the bird, a species that usually returns to the area October through March for the nesting season. That’s when birdwatchers and nature lovers flock to the park and surrounding areas in hopes of spotting the majestic American bald eagle.

The birds — who mate for life and typically do so only once a year, often laying only one to three eggs — create nests that are reused and added to each year. An eagle’s nest, the largest of any North American bird, can be 4 to 5 feet wide and 2 to 4 feet deep, though the park’s experts say some can be as big as 10 feet wide and weigh 1,000 pounds.

The American bald eagle, a species that has long been the national emblem of the U.S., was placed on the endangered species list in 1967, but thanks to conservation efforts, it was removed from the list in 2007.

Bald eagles thrive in the cliffs of the Colorado River and Lake Buchanan because it’s a bountiful area for their meals of choice: fish and waterfowl. Immature eagles — those without the white head and tail feathers — sometimes stay in the area year-round until they reach their breeding age at 4 or 5 years. Their average life span, according to the park, is about 15 to 20 years when living in the wild.

Fun fact: Bald eagles aren’t actually bald. The name derives from an outdated reference to the phrase “white-headed,” and male and female adults look roughly the same, though females are about 25 percent larger than males.

The U.S. boasts some 60 million birdwatchers, including plenty in the Central Texas area. Birdwatchers looking to spread their wings with an eagle sighting can visit the 940-acre nature park year-round. The park fee includes access to 14 miles of nature trails, 3 miles of private lakefront, and food or drinks at the resort restaurant and park store.

Overnight stays are also available, and the resort features 61 lodge-style guest rooms, as well as RV and camping sites. Guest rooms start at $159-$179 per night, and overnight guests have access to additional amenities, including the Eagle Eye Observatory, a two-hour guided boat cruise, and a variety of nature programs.

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Opportunity Knox

Opulent new $1,000-per-night hotel has opened for bookings in Dallas

Photo courtesy of Auberge

The Drawing Room at The Knox, Auberge Collection.

A new luxury hotel near Dallas' Katy Trail is one step closer to welcoming its first guests: The Knox, Auberge Collection has opened reservations for stays beginning January 29, 2027.

A night there won't come cheap. Rates will start at $1,000 per night for a standard room and $15,000 per night for the 3,000-square-foot Manse Suite, making it Dallas' most expensive hotel, edging out The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas and The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. (To wit: A Google search for "The most expensive hotel in Dallas" already brings up the not-yet-opened The Knox as the top result.)

Having broken ground in 2023, the hotel at 4555 Travis St. is part of the buzzy Knox Street development, a mixed-use project reshaping the neighborhood near Knox-Henderson with new retail, residences, restaurants, and gathering spaces.

The Knox-Auberge Collection The Knox will have 140 "character-rich" guest rooms and suites.Photo courtesy of Auberge

The property is intended to serve as the development's hospitality centerpiece, bringing a luxury hotel, multiple restaurants, a wellness center, and event venues to one of Dallas' established shopping and dining districts, the release notes.

“The Knox marks an exciting new chapter in Auberge Collection’s growth as we bring our distinctive approach to hospitality to the world’s most dynamic cities,” said Christian Clerc, president and CEO of Auberge Collection, in a statement.

The Knox will have 140 "character-rich" guest rooms and suites and 48 private residences, the release says. Interiors are designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, with Chad Dorsey Design handling the adjoining private residences.

Guest rooms will feature custom furnishings, curated art, and marble bathrooms. The largest suite, The Manse, will have a private fitness area, wellness room, bar, media room, and separate living and dining areas.

Another signature suite, the Promenade Suite, will feature a 2,100-square-foot terrace with dining and lounge areas, an indoor bar, and a large living room. Guests also will be able to request skincare and recovery devices for in-room use.

The hotel will offer two- and three-bedroom residences designed for longer stays, with kitchens and indoor-outdoor living areas. Options include the two-bedroom Abbott House and Hester House and the three-bedroom Hyland House.

The Knox, Auberge Collection Drink and dine in luxury.Photo courtesy of Auberge

Dining will include a signature restaurant serving American classics, a European-style restaurant and salon with indoor and outdoor seating, an evening cocktail lounge, and poolside dining with lighter fare. A private dining room called the Trophy Room will be tucked inside the signature restaurant.

The hotel's Wellbeing by Auberge spa will offer skin treatments, advanced therapies, and thermal bathing experiences. The property also will have event spaces for weddings, meetings, and private gatherings, including the Colonnade Room, a ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows and a wraparound terrace.

Additional event spaces on the third floor will include the Waldon Room, a lounge for smaller gatherings; Margay and Barlow, two meeting rooms with private terraces; and the Kestrel Room, which will have tented ceilings.

The hotel's location along the Katy Trail gives guests direct access to the 3.5-mile walking, running, and biking path, the release notes. Knox Street's restaurants, boutiques, and other neighborhood businesses are also nearby.

The Knox is being developed through a partnership involving BDT & MSD Partners, Trammell Crow Company, the owners of Highland Park Village, and The Retail Connection. It joins Auberge Collection, which operates 39 hotels, resorts, safaris, and residences.

“From the beginning, our vision for The Knox was to create a place that feels distinctly Dallas and becomes a meaningful part of the Knox Street neighborhood,” says Sabrina Gleizer of BDT & MSD Partners in the release. “Auberge has been an incredible partner in bringing that vision to life, with a shared commitment to thoughtful design, highly personal hospitality and a strong sense of place."

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