View allAll Photos Tagged brazosbendstatepark
"A long-necked, long-tailed swimmer of southeastern swamps. Often seen perched on a snag above the water, with its wings half-spread to dry. Can vary its buoyancy in water, sometimes swimming with only head and neck above water (earning it the nickname of "Snakebird"). Often solitary when feeding, it roosts in groups and nests in colonies. Looks rather like a cormorant when perched, but not in flight, when the long tail may be spread wide as the Anhinga soars high on outstretched wings. Anhingas are silent at most times, but around nesting colonies they make various croaking and clicking sounds. Hunts for fish while swimming underwater or at surface. Not usually a fast swimmer, mostly waits for fish to come near, then impales them with lightning-fast thrust of long, pointed bill. Structure of neck is specially adapted for this kind of rapid thrust. Fish often tossed in air, then swallowed headfirst." Source: audubon.org
I hope not, and am hoping that I don’t have to wait another 30 or 40 years for my next encounter. At least one the Owlets turned and looked straight at me and I was able to capture some details in the eyes. Still a heavily shaded area. Great Horned Owl Owlets captured at Brazos Bend State Park.
I will add that the park it a great place for observing wildlife, but not necessarily a great place to photograph wildlife. Most of the islands within the lake are 100 to 200 feet away and that is were the animals tend to congregate. Even got a photo of a snipe, but it's likely that most of you don't keep a magnifying glass handy, so will likely not post the photo. I can get much close to animals on the bayou and especially the birds. Will be headed back to the bayou as soon as the wind allows it. Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.
SC_1355uls
Bitterns are a winter bird here, so they will soon be packing up and moving on. They will start to show up again next October/November.
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. 3/2018
ISO 1600, 1/160, f6,3 (metered +1 stop)
A Tricolored Heron stands in a timeless tableau with three Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. The reflections adds to the feeling of slow, stately natural rhythms in Brazos Bend State Park, Texas, USA.
Nutria are semi-aquatic, herbivorous rodents. Native to South America, they were introduced to the US by the fur trade.
Because they damage marshlands, programs exist to control the population. Here at Brazos Bend, the alligators do their best to keep the nutria number down.
Regardless of their invasive status and the damage they do, they are kind of cute (in a rodent kind of way).
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 3/2021
I spent a few hours watching this bird go about his work. This image has a nice view of the feeding holes made by the bird. The following from Cornell's "All About Birds" describes the sapsucker's feeding behavior: "The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker makes two kinds of holes in trees to harvest sap. Round holes extend deep in the tree and are not enlarged. The sapsucker inserts its bill into the hole to probe for sap. Rectangular holes are shallower, and must be maintained continually for the sap to flow. The sapsucker licks the sap from these holes, and eats the cambium of the tree too. New holes usually are made in a line with old holes, or in a new line above the old."
ƒ/8.0, 1/400, ISO 3200
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 12/2020
This adult great horned owl is either the mother or father of the owlets in my previous few posts. This image was made early morning when there was very little light (ISO 6400, f5.6, 1/80). I don't like to push the ISO that much, but it was hard to resist this bird landing reasonably close, and looking right at me. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. 3/2019
I couldn't resist a few shots of this bird, even with the messy setting. These are beautiful birds. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. 11/2019
It's always so crazy looking at an alligators eyes. It's like they are looking through you lol This gator was watching me, and for other foes, that were possibly attempting to get its breakfast or maybe even eat him.
This image was made a fraction of a second before a similar image posted a few days ago. A parent's legs (not sure which parent) tower over the chick.
In the earlier post, the chick's wings are raised higher, and the adult's legs are a bit straighter. Things change in a fraction of a second.
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 5/2023.
New roles at my day job have kept me from doing much exploring/photography for a while. Hopefully I have the day job under control, and can get back to my favorite things.
This morning I made a trip to Brazos Bend State Park and was welcomed by my old friend the male (pretty sure) Great-horned Owl. My guess this is the same bird I have photographed nesting at the park for the previous few years (only a guess, of course). Anyway, this bird was a nice welcome back to the park.
Early morning, without much light.
/7.1 500.0 mm 1/50 ISO 12800
I wanted to add another stop of light, but I didn't feel confident doing it handheld, so I lighted in raw conversion (thus more noise than I would have liked). Tripod was left in the car, very smart of me.
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 1/2024.
I'll start catching up with friends pics soon.
This is a common summer bird for us, but when I see them they are usually on the ground hunting. It was nice to get this bird perched in a bush. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 5/2022.
ƒ/6.3, 400.0 mm, 1/250, ISO 1600
Awesome Winter visitors to the South Texas area, Pyrocephalus rubinus, the male is crimson red with black mask, wings, tail.
I ended up moving in close to this bird for a few tight portraits, but I kind of like this more distant shot of the bird framed by his colorful habitat.
Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas. 8/2018
A reflection enhances the tropical-looking colours of a group of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck. These birds were seen at Brazos Bend State Park, Texas, USA.
Brazos is a very beautiful park about 45 minutes from Houston. The image was taken from a large, covered deck out over the water. American Alligators slowly glided around while many types of birds new to us, such as Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, flew by. The covering protected us from the intermittent, monstrous rainstorms that were followed by sunny skies adorned with gorgeous clouds. At this moment, we were in between storms.
This is from early one morning back in March. There was little light (as seems to be a common situation for me). Another guy and I were focused on this bird when the mouth opened. Neither of us regretted getting up early. Both owlets have since fledged. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 3/2021.
ƒ/8.0, 1/80 6400
This is another capture from Brazos Bend State Park. The park is definitely a haven for all types of wildlife, but it’s also not the place where you can always get close to the subject you want to take a photo of. Would have liked to have been a bit closer to this Great Egret in order to get a better look at those green lores, but this bird was a bit far away and my exposure wasn’t the best either. You see a lot at the park but the animals can be a bit distant as well. Photo taken at Elm Lake in Brazos Bend State Park.
DSC_1056uls
And so are the spiders! Golden Silk Orb-weaver (Trichophila clavipes). Females are gentle giants, with large bodies, 20-40mm. Webs are large also, 2 m or more, making for a sticky trap along the forest trail. Brazos Bend State Park, Needville, Texas.
This is one of the fawns pictured in a post from a few days back. They were not too concerned about me. I sat on the ground and watched them eat and wander around and occasionally check me out as in this image. Eventually they sat down together to rest. The session ended when I moved on. They did not flush while I was with them, which made it extra special. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 5/2024.
I seen this Anhinga at Brazos Bend State Park while hiking around a lake. They are also called "snake bird" because of it long neck. They swim under water and spear their prey with their long sharp beaks. Easily confused with the Cormorant who have a curved beak.
Santa and his Elves from B&H dropped an Olympus mirrorless camera down the chimney. I'm having a great time with this small, light camera. The retro look reminds me of carrying my Olympus OMG around the Minnesota woods during my College years. Christmas Eve 2015 at Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas