Thursday, June 30, 2011

Brazos Bend State Park 2: Creekfield Lake

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I walk down to the edge of Creekfield Lake and can hardly believe what I'm seeing. Much of the lake is dry but the remaining stretch of water is crowded with dozens of large wading birds: Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Tricolored Herons, White Ibis and Roseate Spoonbills.


There are also Common Moorhens and Black-bellied Whistling Ducks.


Some children burst into shrieks of "Alligator! Alligator!" The animal in question is very near the shore but he's probably only 18" long.


The children don't notice a slightly older one resting in the shade of a tree right next to the path.  Like all young alligators, his body is striped.



While I'm watching the alligators, large wading birds are zooming past overhead. Several are White Ibis.

 I've never before noticed just how big their wingspan is!



As usual, though, it is the Roseate Spoonbills that steal the show.

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