Robert Benson studied physics at Texas State University, graduating in 1976 with a BS. He continued graduate work in Cosmic Ray Physics at Texas A&M University, achieving his doctorate in 1985. He joined the faculty at Texas A&M University, founded the Center for Bioacoustics, and completed numerous research projects related to the sounds animals make.
Robert moved to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in 1997, where he taught various technical courses, including astronomy, physics, and bioacoustics. He is now retired.
Robert and Karen live on a small farm north of Beeville, Texas, where they maintain a vineyard, propagate and grow native Texas plants, and spend much time outdoors. His hobbies are birding, photography, and falconry, and Robert is a past President of the Texas Ornithological Society.
Karen Benson has a BA in Zoology from the University of Texas at Austin and an MS in Ornithology from Lamar University. She is a past editor of the Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society and co-editor of the Texas Breeding Bird Atlas. She is co-author of two birdsong audio CDs published by Texas A&M Press and many other nature-related publications.
Karen is a Texas Master Naturalist and is active in several local and regional organizations. She writes a nature column for that is syndicated in several South Texas newspapers and is a regular speaker at community events. The natural world and birding are significant parts of her life.