View allAll Photos Tagged brazosbendstatepark
Vultures are abundant at Brazos Bend during the winter. Hundreds (thousands?) roost at the park each night.
On a foggy December morning I caught these two deep in discussion.
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 12/2022.
This was early morning in 2/2023 near the owl nest at Brazos Bend State Park. The adult female was in the nest to my back, and the male was keeping watch from a nearby tree. I was thrilled to stumble upon him and make a few images. SE Texas - 2/2023
There was not much light: Æ’/5.6, 1/20, 12800 ISO
While photographing birds, I'm often approached by Park visitors who want to tell me about "the big one" (gator) down the trail. These are well meaning people who assume I want to photograph gators, but couldn't find one and had to settle for a boring bird. I always thank them, and occasionally go check out "the big one", especially when their loud, excited report flushed the bird:) Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. 3/2018
FYI this animal has his mouth open to regulate temperature. He is not showing aggression.
Foggy July morning at Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. This was taken about 7AM. It was already 80F, and obviously a little humid. 7/2018
New Year's Day 2018 at Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. Temp was in the mid-30s, and it was pretty windy. Down here, we call this winter.
Here's one more snowy showing off its elegant feathers and crazy yellow feet. At Brazos Bend it can be difficult to isolate birds from the background because they are often close to the background foliage. Water flowing in the spillway provides opportunities to get birds out in the open. If you sit quietly on the ground the birds come pretty (sometimes too) close. Brazos Bend in SE Texas - 1/2024.
I haven't been out for awhile. This is from a few weeks ago. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas
3/18/2016
Despite all that is happening in the world, nature goes about its business. Flowers are blooming, and birds are migrating. Egrets are nesting in High Island Texas, and grebes are dancing in Oregon.
With parks and sanctuaries closed, and travel very limited, I won't see much of it this year. Regardless, I know its out there. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas, 4/2020 (before the Park closed)
Brazos Bend State Park - 6/2022
With little rain, the already shallow lakes in the park have been drying out. Herons and egrets gather to feed on remaining aquatic creatures.
A few more pics linked in Comment 1.
These plants are very abundant in the waters of Brazos Bend. They flower in late spring/early summer, and the big leaves make perches for birds, including green herons.
They are something I see all the time, but have seldom photographed. I caught this one on a bright sunny afternoon, with the help of a passing cloud.
If you look closely, you can see a spider hiding under the flower.
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 6/2021.
I took this a few weeks ago while driving into the park. The adult and two fawns were on my left as I approached in my car. They crossed the road, allowed me to get a few shots off out of the passenger side window, and promptly slid into the woods. This is far from a great shot, but it was fun to get. There wasn't much light, so I was at pretty high ISO. I'm not a big gear guy, but you have got to love modern digital cameras. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. 5/2020.
I spent Sunday and Monday mornings at Brazos Bend State Park. It was hot and steamy, the biting flies were abundant, and the herons were feasting on fish and crawfish. It must be summer in SE Texas. 5/2024
Yellow-crowned Night Herons are common summer birds in SE Texas, but I still enjoy seeing them. We caught this one yesterday at Brazos Bend State Park. 3/2024.
Strong storms went through the area Friday evening into early Sat morning leaving down limbs and a large area with no electricity (including the park). There were strong winds, hail and heavy rain. I was glad to see the park nesting great horned owl sitting on her nest after the storm. She was soaked and looked generally ticked off, but I think she successfully protected her nest through the storms.
Is this a circle of death or just an alligator so long that it needed extra legs?? : ) I found these guys at Brazos Bend State Park while out hiking.
Some young American Alligators enjoying the protection of their mother. Brazos Bend State PArk near Needville, Texas USA
Naturally occurring Bee Hive / Colony and their famous honeycombs, Was on the underside / backside of a large old tree and was neat to see. Walked a non-common trail at Brazos Bend State Park (for me) and we saw this, had to use an onboard flash but, never seen one like this before.
For 3 or 4 springs, I had the opportunity to watch and photograph nesting stilts at Brazos Bend. This image is from spring 2023. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 5/2023. Hope to see them next spring.
On this particular trip, we spotted 10 of these well camouflaged birds. It's easy to look right at them but not see them.
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. 2/2017
Most often I see these birds covered with mud as they poke around in the muck for food. It's nice to get a look at such a clean white bird on a nice perch.
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 12/2024
I'm fascinated by grebes big and small. These little grebes look so gentle and peaceful until you see one catch a crawfish, snip off the pinchers, and swallow it whole.
I was fortunate to get a few minutes with this one last week at Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 2/2025
This is near the 2022 Brazos Bend State Park GHO nest. One of the adult owls perched with partially eaten prey. I posted a frame from the same series back in 2022. In that frame the bird is watching me. Not sure what the prey is, but it did have feathers.
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 3/2022,
i was out hiking and came across this baby gator resting its head on a piece of wood. It appeared as if it was trying to nap in the sun. Nature is awesome!!
Happy New Year All
When I spotted this hawk someone else was photographing it from the front (I am behind the bird). I didn't want to interfere and thought I was out of luck, but found a place to set up with a clear view. Fortunately, the bird gave me some profile views. Conditions were overcast. This is metered exposure +3 stops, thus the white sky. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 12/2024.
Pretty October Morning at Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas, although we are still in desperate need of rain - 10/2022.
One of the common residents at Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, TX. He was here for a few hours.
This is from last October. I rarely see these creatures in the daylight, but saw 3 or 4 on this particular day.
Near the Brazos River at Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas
10/2015
It appears that this squirrel is giving thanks for the food it is about to eat. I love catching animals in action. This little guy was quite busy on this nub of a branch eating, nibbling and watching.
Little blue herons start out white and turn blue in blotches as they mature. The blue beak on this bird gives it away. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 8/2025
Anhinga swim under water and stab fish with their dagger-like bills. Their feathers are not water proofed, so they are often seen in the pictured pose, drying their wings. According to Cornell's "All About Birds", their wet feathers and dense bones help them slowly submerge their bodies under the water so they can stalk fish. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 12/2020
This summer brought several Black-necked Stilts to Brazos Bend. We have had them in past years, but I don't remember as many as this summer. Fortunately, a few pairs nested, and we had several stilt chicks to watch. I think most have now left for the season. Hope to see them next Summer. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 8/2021