A walk with Alligators Part II

My walk the day before in the Brazos Bend State Park was short, maybe an hour and 30 minutes but what I saw and the photos I took were just enough to wet my appetite; make me eager to return. So on Thursday instead of going to the gym after I dropped Patty at work, I drove straight out hwy 59, just a little past Sugarland and down to the south another 20 minutes, and arrived at the park by 8 am when it opened.

It felt like there were only me and my camera in the world, no school busses full of children, no parents with strollers, and no bicycles (ists?) whizzing around. I have found that I like this feeling, this type of aloneness. It is surprising how lonely I can feel sitting at home or at a movie theater alone, or even while out to lunch with a group of friends but when I am alone, out walking with my camera my world seems full and satisfying.

‘To walk on Water’ I am hopelessly inept at naming birds. I saw a cardinal and a blue jay for sure but the rest I won't attempt to name. These guys floating in the shallows along the shore reassured me that alligators weren't too close – a calm bird seems to be a good indicator doesn’t it?  As I walk up on them, they would take off - walking across the water…. they didn’t seem to fly. (?)

First sighting!

Just to see if he was real I walked back and forth across the foot bridge – his face moved back and forth WATCHING me! he is real. 

   

So six different alligators in all. There are a couple hundred more photos that I could show you but will stop here.  These show you the general look of the land – Hope you enjoyed the walk.

To walk with alligators

Last week feeling bored and lonely, yes in Houston and feeling lonely, I decided to drive out to the Brazos Bend State Park. I’d been there before with Louisa and the grandkids – jeez – maybe ten years ago and I remembered it to be a great place to walk …. I don’t know if my memory was slipping or whether the State has done a lot of work on the park but… well I walked that day, then was so pleased I returned the next day to do another trail and if not distracted this week will go again. Their map shows 11 official trails, picnic areas, camping, fishing docks, horseback riding trails and bike trails. On these trails I was able to amble, stop and take photos, talk with other hikers and just stand and gaze. I will not be able to show you all the photos – never can show you all – but I will see if over the next two day I can share this great south Texas place where you can walk the alligators ….. did I mention the signs that said - “do not feed the alligators – if you come across one on the trail please yield as they cross the trail – stay at least 30 feet away from the alligators” In the brochure says that during mating season (now?) the males can become aggressive including towards humans (?), when there are young the female will be very ‘protective’ – if you see young alligators assume there is a mother close by …… Okay I was alone and a little apprehensive but first day did not see any alligators – you know this only means I didn’t see one…..

First Day – Creekfield lake trail - recovering wetland area

the circus is coming to town!

Last week I did several post on the very impressive Ringling Museum complex in Sarasota Florida – I thought there needs to be one last note about Sarasota before I take you back to Houston. One of the buildings in the Ringling Museum complex as a small warehouse housing Circus memorabilia. I found most of it moderately interesting. My mother was enthralled – is this the difference in generations and the part the ‘circus coming to town’ played in family fun in the first half of the 20th century?
Just a few photos for you to enjoy …..

 

 

 

 

 

MT FSO - Bokeh

This is one of those topics that we have from time to time that is more about photography than it is about our towns and when we have these special topics I thoroughly enjoy them. I learn new things about taking photos, I feel challenged to try and understand what I am doing with my camera. I still didn't use manual settings but here are a few results from my efforts. All of these photos are of plants from the Houston area and were taken this week.

Cá d’Zan

(literal translation “The House of John”)
The House that John and Mabel Built – Information can be found by searching Cá d’Zan so I wont go into any official detail – how about just a little of my own impressions. Those of you from the north, not even experiencing your first spring days, won’t believe this but in March the wind blows cold off the Gulf – take a sweater just in case.

 
From the Museum there are several circuitous walkways over to the Mansion. A walk that takes you through a garden of banyan trees, and wetland grasses and into Mabel’s rose garden. Of course these are no longer her roses but I wasn’t complaining and neither was my mother – pure bliss to browse the very early spring blooms.

 

When you leave the rose garden a view of the mansion opens up in front of you. AS you get up close the detailing is amazing. the external detail is made with Terra Cotta not with stone or brick – apparently cheaper to use and has help up better in the summer sun and the wet winds that blow off the Gulf.

that is all for now….. if you are visiting the south put this on your list of must sees.