Brazos Bend State Park in December

Some plans are made ahead of time meticulously, while some are instantaneously made and get executed within hours. This visit was of the latter kind. Made on a whim, but delivering big! 

Brazos Bend State Park is about 40 miles away, but these past couple of years hadn't seen it featured on our list of places to visit. Blame the pandemic. 

Yesterday was not exactly December weather, it was almost 80 degrees F, and going to the park sounded exciting. I quickly charged the extra camera battery, and we took water and snacks, and set out. The Elm Lake trail was chosen and we parked accordingly. Some trees offered a spectacular sight!

Gorgeous colors on display

Another view of the marshy area along the lake. These Bald Cypress trees are so beautiful! Their foliage is colorful this time of the year, and their trunk and roots are striking!

A Snowy Egret looks for food among Bald Cypress trees. It was a pleasure walking along the trail and looking for such nuggets.

As I was walking, I thought I spotted an Anhinga on the other side of the lake in it's classic pose with the wings spread out. Then it took off and I scrambled with my camera but was too late. It seemed to settle down somewhere close to where I was headed, on the bank on my side. 

Sure enough, there is was! It did not look very happy that I took pictures.

So it chose to turn its back to problems like me. That was a great move! It revealed a fabulous pattern on its back

Look how gorgeous the plumage is! Simply love the design! 

This is an Anhinga I had seen a few years ago. It was my first sighting. It looks like a mature bird compared to the one I saw yesterday. 

Walking along further, I thought it was another Snowy Egret hunting for food, but soon realized that it was a juvenile little blue heron! Cute!

Another lovely sight!

And then, around a bend was this alligator! A lot of people stopped to take pictures, but it just lay there, resting.

More Bald Cypress trees

Another section with some reflections. There was a mild breeze so reflections were not easy to capture yesterday. 

A Black Willow framing the lake

A Great White Egret looking for food

 

And finding it!

Another one preening on a tree top

Before taking off to another perhaps greener pasture

Walking along, I came across this nest(?). Trying to figure out what it is. Any input will be appreciated. 

A family of whistling ducks and a family of moorhens sharing space amicably

Finally, a reminder- that change is the only constant