Armand Bayou Illustrated A Life on the Bayou

Armand Bayou Illustrated - A Life on the Bayou

is the story of a person and a place. It is a naturalist''s chronicle exploring the local ecology and natural history of the Bayou City''s most beautifully preserved waterway. It offers a unique perspective into the natural world and its wildlife from someone who has made a life''s work of conservation and environmental education. 

The story weaves Texas coastal ecology, wildlife and a memoir of observing the natural world for more than 40 years. The book is a personal account from childhood through retirement of cumulative knowledge and observations collected from living, working and playing on the bayou. Mark offers a passionate insight into his personal exploration of the intersection of the inner and outer world. A Life On The Bayou begins with passages which discuss childhood adventures in the surrounding grasslands and waters of his youth, where the curiosity of a naturalist was born. It''s a unique naturalist biographical accounting of beauty, change and intimate connection to place. 

The book details the history, ecology and wildlife of the Armand Bayou Nature Center which is one of the ecological jewels of the American Gulf Coast. Anyone seeking understanding of coastal prairie and bayou ecology will find an easy to read wealth of knowledge.

Outstanding wildlife photography, including spectacular images from award winning wildlife photographer, Gary Seloff, completes the story and offers unique perspectives of wildlife behavior seldom seen by most. 

Recommended reading for understanding Houston''s local ecology and all students of the natural world, Armand Bayou Illustrated is a primer to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the most beautiful urban wilderness area on the American Gulf Coast. 

About the Author

Mark Kramer''s career has spanned 25 years at Armand Bayou Nature Center where he served as Conservation Director and Chief Naturalist. He is a native of Pasadena, Texas and began paddling on Armand Bayou as a teenager. He has been a student of Armand Bayou for over 40 years. Mark has been described as a leader, a bayou advocate, a mentor, an educator par excellence and a tireless bayou steward - and all are true.

Mark is a Restoration Ecologist, Lecturer, Writer, Interpretive Naturalist, licensed Master Captain with the U.S. Coast Guard, Prescribed Burn Boss, and avid angler.  He is the recipient of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Lone Star Land Steward Award, the Bayou Preservation Association Terry Hershey Bayou Steward Award and the Coastal Prairie Partnership Prairie Excellence Award.  Exploring, preserving, restoring and interpreting coastal ecology and wildlife have been his lifelong passion.