Brazos Bend State Park
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One of the most numerous wading birds in Florida, and common elsewhere in the southeast. Highly sociable at all seasons, roosting and feeding in flocks, nesting in large colonies. When groups wade through shallows, probing with their long bills, other wading birds such as egrets may follow them to catch prey stirred up by the ibises. [credit Audubon]
Abundant in the southeast, scarce in the southwest is this broad-winged scavenger. In low flight, it proceeds with several quick flaps followed by a flat-winged glide; when rising thermals provide good lift, it soars very high above the ground. Usually seen in flocks. Shorter wings and tail make it appear smaller than Turkey Vulture, but looks are deceptive: body size is about the same, and aggressive Black Vultures often drive Turkey Vultures away from food. [credit Audubon]
A beautiful, graceful, small Snowy Egret, very active in its feeding behavior in shallow waters. Known by its contrasting yellow feet, could be said to dance in the shallows on golden slippers.
Black bellied whistling ducks (a.k.a tree ducks) at Elm Lake in Brazos Bend State Park.
As always, your faves and comments are appreciated. Constructive criticism and suggestions are especially welcome as I believe they help to make me a better photographer. Thank you for taking the time to look at my photos.
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Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) during a rain shower at Brazos Bend State Park. Texas.
Creeping Burhead (Echinodorus cordifolius, from the Greek word "echinos", or hedgehog, for the shape of the center fruit/bur). A water-plantain that’s at home in wetlands, its flowers are only 12 mm (less than ½ inch).
Brazos Bend State Park, Texas.
I followed the hoots, and there he was hiding in plain site. I'm pretty sure he saw me first:) In low light, about 15 min before sunrise (12,800 ISO, f5.6, 1/15 sec). Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 2/2023.
This is another older photo that I came across while digging through the archives. I just love those huge yellow feet of the Purple Gallinule.
Porphyrio martinicus
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I've seen / photographed some version of this many times over the years, but is never gets old to me. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. - 1/2023.
This is mamma owl at the Brazos Bend nest. She was perched on the backside of the nest tree, having just dropped food (some kind of duck) down to her two little owlets. She gave us an over the shoulder look, and climbed into the nest. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 2/2023.
Most summers we have a few least bitterns at Brazos Bend, but they tend to be far off, and aloof.
In contrast, there are several in the park this summer, and they don't seem too concerned about being watched or photographed.
Eating seems to be their main interest. Last Sunday, their continuous feeding behavior reminded me of birds about to migrate.
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 6/2022.
This image goes back to 3/2021. I think the red on the left side bird's forehead is blood from prey.
These two owlets have long since fledged, and hopefully are doing well. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 3/2021.
ƒ/11.0, 1/25, 6400 ISO
Coots are tough, adaptable waterbirds. Although they are related to the secretive rails, they swim in the open like ducks and walk about on shore, making themselves at home on golf courses and city park ponds. Usually in flocks, they are aggressive and noisy, making a wide variety of calls by day or night. They have strong legs and big feet with lobed toes, and coots fighting over territorial boundaries will rear up and attack each other with their feet. [credit Audubon] Not sure what the mottled bird behind is, although I think it may be a male Gadwall??
Yesterday I had the pleasure of birding with a friend from San Antonio. We spent most of our time out at Brazos Bend State Park, which is excellent this time of year and had a great time. One of my favorite moments from the day was watching this male Prothonotary Warbler foraging in the low vegetation at the edge of a lake. We probably watched him for half an hour darting around catching little caterpillars, spiders and other small creatures. This was the one moment when he actually popped out and gave us an unobstructed view. I sure am glad we were both paying close attention!!!
Protonotaria citrea
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Nesting adult GHO (mother I think) watching the nest from a nearby tree. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 2/2023.
He saw our first Purple Gallinule shortly after moving to Texas. We had no idea what it was. These birds are summer regulars down here, and adults and chicks can easily be seen at Brazos Bend State Park. A Brazos Bend birding guide once told me that, not counting unusual visitors, the purple gallinule and prothonotary warbler are the most popular summer birds at the park. I usually see them marching around in the muck. I was fortunate to catch this bird out of the muck, albeit in a complicated background. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 5/2021.
We were fortunate to have several stilts in the park this past summer. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 8/2021
Yellow-crowned Night Herons (YCNH) are common summer birds in SE Texas, and they love to eat crawfish (whole minus the pinchers). The birds are currently getting ready to migrate further south, and are eating as much as they can catch. Unlike black-crowned night herons, which are for the most part nocturnal, the YCNH's are active all day. I caught this one early last Friday morning. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 9/2021.
ƒ/5.6, 1/30, ISO 1600
One more image of this big fellow - Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 2/2023
f/5.6, 1/20 sec, ISO 12,800
This was a week after I took the images in my previous stilt chick posts. The chick was probably about 2 weeks old when I took this image.
Sitting in the mud (and loving it) at Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 6/2023.
I watched this bird for about 30 minutes, and he seemed quite at ease with my presence. Another green heron, who apparently wanted this fishing hole, eventually chased him off. Seniority, I guess. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. 8/2018
Here’s an Anhinga from a recent visit to Brazos Bend State Park. This fellow seemed to have no fear of me at all and really showed off his spring colors.
Anhinga anhinga
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Nesting GHO's have become an annual event at Brazo Bend, but this year the birds were much lower than in the past few years. It was nice not having the lens pointed straight up. I made it to this nest only a few times, but was happy to get a few keepers and had a great time. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 3/2021.
f8.0, 1/160, ISO 1600
This is a rather abundant summer species in SE Texas, but I always enjoy a chance to observe and photograph one. Over the past few months, this particular bird has provided me with a few nice opportunities. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. 6/2018.
This was made a few days before the image in my previous post. The bird in an area where owls are nesting. I believe this is the male, who is usually watching the nest tree from a distance.
This is another early morning low light shot (12,800 ISO, f5.6, 1/4 seconds). I continue to be amazed at the lighting conditions our current cameras allow us to work in.
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 2/2023.
It's been nice to get back into the Park, and great to see the yellow-crowned night herons back for the summer. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. 4/2020.
Great-horned Owlet at Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. I've watched the nesting area since sometime in January when the mother was on eggs. It's been a great opportunity to observe and photograph these amazing birds. 3/2022.
Water lily-covered 40 Acre Lake at Brazos Bend State Park.
"Serenity Now" -- remembering the late, great Jerry Stiller as Frank Costanza on Seinfeld
For the past several years, we have been fortunate to observe nesting great horned owls at Brazos Bend State Park. Each spring they nest in the same general area of the park, but which tree is the question. Once they are found, the scene gets a little crazy with onlookers and photographers.
This year we had two owlets, both of whom successfully fledged. This image was made early morning, looking towards the soon to rise sun. High ISO cameras sure have opened a lot of opportunities. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 3/2021.
ƒ/5.6, 400.0 mm, 1/30, ISO 6400