ND SOl, I don't disagree that the banning of photography in many places is "a bit much" and sometimes hard to enforce. BTW I have never understood some of those half hearted jokes. Houston is where Texas won its independence (and was capital for a short time). People say the same thing here about Sicilia not being part of Italy, when it most certainly is, but I digress.

GoodGuy, Someone on one of the many many freighters and ships that ply the channel daily could take photos, but those pax mans are held by the Coast Guard so a little easier to track down if something happens. Doesn't prevent much but helps in tracking people down after the fact (like much of the security in free countries).

The only way to get into the ship channel and sail up and down the main arterial is on the M/V Sam Houston. One can recon from many places though. One can go up to the top of the San Jacinto Monument and see much of the channel. The is a cruise ship terminal at the more eastern edge of the channel as well (though the cruise company has suspended ops there, with two others using Galveston)

The idea brought by some that the port is not impressive (whatever definition that shoud be...) or not worthy of any security is absurd and ill informed to say the least.

That is funny Mr Man, Texas both the Houston Gulf Coast and South Texas is big for bird watchers.

Ciao,
FH