View allAll Photos Tagged brazosbend
The light was so beautiful this afternoon that I couldn’t resist making a quick run out to Brazos Bend SP. There were so many people around Elm Lake that I wasn’t able to get anything done there but late in the day I tried 40 Acre Lake and spent some time laying on the bank with these two little cuties. The Pied-billed Grebes always seem to come through when I need a subject to experiment with.
_MG_0960-web
Podilymbus podiceps
This was last June when the park was drying out. As the water went away, the wading birds had a feeding frenzy on the newly exposed creatures. In a few weeks, the area would be dry and offer little to eat. Thankfully, we are now getting some rain. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 6/2022
I spent a few mornings with this Green Heron. I got down low with him, and he went about his business in a relaxed manner. However, he would put his crown up when he heard someone else passing on the trail, or when he sensed any movement in the leaves (insects, wind). This GH was quite a character, and fun to watch. I spent enough time with him to be convinced that I wasn't disturbing him. I did get poison ivy, but it was worth it. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 7/2021.
Bitterns often look quite stoic, but they can actually get pretty animated. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 4/2021.
Yesterday afternoon we had a chance to photograph a little “secret that everybody knows about” at Brazos Bend State Park; a pair of baby Great Horned Owls. They put on a nice show for a large crowd of people visiting the park.
_MG_7212-web
Bubo virginianus
While visiting Brazos Bend State Park last week I was reminded just how beautiful Northern Cardinals are. The park feels like it’s the kingdom of cardinals, they just seem to be everywhere there. This time of year they are very busy, making encounters more frequent. How lucky we are that this is a common bird in our area!
_MG_1920-web
Cardinalis cardinalis
Least Bittern watching for movement from a fish, or insect, or anything else it might want to eat.
Brazos Bend State Park in SE, Texas - 06/2022
We have a wood duck pair hanging out at Brazos Bend. I hope they spend the winter. With some rain, maybe they will.
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 11/2022.
While we were working on photos of an egret this past Sunday afternoon at Brazos Bend SP I noticed this Eastern Phoebe returning over and over again to what looked like it would be an excellent perch for a photo. Once we had exhausted our opportunity with the egret, we tried to position ourselves in a good position for the phoebe in hopes that the pattern would continue. Of course, my presence altered the behavior at first and the bird landed near where we wanted but behind some brush. We then waited, and waited, and waited and even got some photos of the bird on other nearby perches that were pretty good, but weren’t really what I really had in mind. Finally, our beautiful feathered friend swooped down after some unseen insect and landed almost exactly where I wanted and we clicked several versions of this photo. It wasn’t exactly where I wanted but I hope you agree that it was close enough.
_MG_3166-web
Sayornis phoebe
I believe the male is on our left, and the female on our right.
Early morning at Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 3/2023.
During a walk around Elm Lake at Brazos Bend SP yesterday afternoon I heard the calls of a Least Grebe. After scanning the water for a bit, I finally spotted the source of the calls. A single Least Grebe was being chased around by a Pied-billed Grebe. This went on for about ten minutes until the Least Grebe finally gave up and left the area, swimming behind one of the islands. Unfortunately, the confrontation was too far away to get any presentable photos.
About twenty minutes later I spotted the tiny grebe feeding near the shore. The sun had pretty much set but I did manage a couple of photos before heading home.
_MG_0327-web
Tachybaptus dominicus
Just for fun, I went back and processed a file from June 2007. This was taken with the Canon 20D, my first digital camera.
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas
Here's one more of my cooperative hawk. The bird was surveying the landscape for food. I like this pose. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 10/2022.
This summer I had a few opportunities with up-close least bitterns. It was a treat!
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 6/2022
The American Bittern is a regular "winter bird" at Brazos Bend, and one of my favorites this time of year. This morning I photographed this bird with a long lens for about 30 min, as it peaked through the distant reeds. Then, for whatever reason, it decided to essentially walk right up to me. I quickly switched to my second camera with the 100-400 lens, and made a few images. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 2/2021
Shortly after we moved to Texas we saw a Purple Gallinule and were completely amazed by its colors. (We had no idea what it was). It's still a fun bird to come across. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. 3/2018
I wish that I had given myself a little more DOF on this one (at least tried a few shots with more). I wanted isolation from the bg, but wish the beak was a little sharper. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 4/2021 - ƒ/7.1, 1/1000, ISO 1600
This beautiful Northern Parula was showing off like crazy at Brazos Bend State Park this spring.
_MG_0045-web
Setophaga americana
This was shortly after I started my walk one morning last November. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 11/2020.
Nyctanassa violacea
Here’s another one from yesterday at Brazos Bend State Park. I think the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron spotted us first! I thought it was sort of a funny photo with him peaking out at us from the vegetation.
_MG_1464-web
How about a Barred Owl from Brazos Bend State Park for Halloween?
Happy Halloween!
_MG_9673-web
Strix varia
It's always nice to catch a green heron. I think this is the first one I've had a decent opportunity with this summer. I've seen several, but they have either been in the shadows, or obstructed. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. 7/2018
Another view of this cooperative Bittern. He watched me from behind the distant reeds, then suddenly marched right over to me. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 2/2021.
These birds can usually be found poking around in the muck for food. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 3/2021.