Brazos Bend State Park Trails

[DHaass]

Those of us who visit the park so frequently have our own favorite trails we walk almost every time we go to shoot. We come back with our little gems from the trip, loading them on the computer as soon as we get home, to see if we really got the shot we thought we had on that little LCD on the back of our camera.

I thought we might do something a little different with this post. What is your favorite trail at BBSP, what other trail have you tried and what can be found on it to photograph? Provide just a few example photos of what you've shot. I think many of us stick to the one or two trails we are used to walking and don't really explore all that is offered, because we don't want to miss out on what we know we can shoot on those common trails.

My favorite is 40 Acre Lake Trail. I've obtained most of my photos from this one trail. You can pretty much position yourself to capture that pretty early morning light in several places on 40 Acre. I tried Creekfield Lake Trail and was pleasantly surprised. Filtered light early on through the trees surrounding the lake and then when it topped the trees this beautiful green and yellow light reflecting off the trees into the water were wonderful. First shot is from 40 Acre and 2nd from Creekfield.

[Stargazer77517]

Really like the second one Doug

Here is one from the Boy Scout Camp grounds at the back of the park. I like this trail as it has some pretty good small birds and scenic overlook of the pond



Then again. My favorite walk is 40 acre.

[Charles Adams]

I agree the second is great!

[mkweaver]

Great idea; getting points from other trails.
I, too, frequent the 40-acre trail. Have so much fun on it I haven't ventured out much except to that 2nd lake on the left and the trail from 40-acre to it.
I've been wanting to try some others. Just the incentive I need!

Great pictures already posted! Love the one of the GBH flipping his fish!

[corralup]

I have so many favorites it's hard just to put a couple up here. Most of my best captures are at 40 acres and the Spillway. Elm Lake sunrise is my all time favorite.

[auddii]

Originally Posted by corralup

I have so many favorites it's hard just to put a couple up here. Most of my best captures are at 40 acres and the Spillway. Elm Lake sunrise is my all time favorite.

Sandy that first photo is amazing!!

I've really only been out on the 40 acre lake trails, and I was hoping to get out on some of the other more backwoodsy ones this past weekend, but it had been raining a lot, and several of the trails warn that they close in wet conditions. Saturday ended up being sunny, so maybe I should have risked it. I'll make it out there at some point!

[gll]

Ok I have never been but just googled it and its 12 hour drive, is this a good time of year for there?

[corralup]

Originally Posted by gll

Ok I have never been but just googled it and its 12 hour drive, is this a good time of year for there?

I would say yes because the ducks, Anhingas, American Bitterns, Otters, migrant birds are there now through the spring and then you get another flow of migrants that come through in March. You will see something different every trip IMO.
Also the weather is cooler now which it makes it real nice. My favorite time to go is November through March. Deer and alligators are there year round. Bring your bike or just walk the trails. Walking the trails is the best way to find a neat subject to photograph.
Brazos Bend is rated one of the best State Parks in Texas.

[jfoureyes]

My two favorite trails in the park are Old Horseshoe Lake Trail and Hoots Hollow Trail. I shoot a lot of closeup work and there are always tons of subjects in these two areas.

Creekfield Trail.


Old Horseshoe Trail


Old Horseshoe Trail


40 Acre Lake at sunrise.


Hoots Hollow





This is a link to a article I did for Photo net in 1998 that may be of interest to some folks. http://photo.net/learn/nature/brazos

[slickshooter]

First of all I would like to say there are some mighty fine images posted on this thread.Doug's Gbh with the fish,Fred's landscape shot of Boy Scout's woods,Sandy's landscape and fawn and Jim's landscapes showing the vast diversity of the park.Jim I read your article you did for Photo Net and I must say I am impressed.Sure wish the fees were the same as when you wrote it though.BBSP is such a spectacular place and I am glad to be so close to it.Most of us nearby have a place we can always go at the spur of the moment,while others further away must make plans and hope for the best.So for the locals I urge you to post your shots here and make this a huge thread.Don't be shy about it and have some fun.Just my two cents worth.
Come on everyone.Post.

Dennis

[scottbuckel]

I really like the great blue heron and fish image.

Scott

[DHaass]

Keep them coming folks. Glad to see some stuff from Old Horseshoe Trail and Boy Scout Woods. Any other trails and types of photographic subjects shot there would be great. As Dennis said, let's show everyone what can be found at BBSP. For my part I want to see what I've been missing on the other trails that I don't frequent.

[Jim Victory]

Many beautiful shots in this thread. Those of you that live close are very fortunate. 40acre lake has produced the bulk of my shots from BBSP but I really like the surprises I get at Creekfield Lake.

[Stargazer77517]

Originally Posted by gll

Ok I have never been but just googled it and its 12 hour drive, is this a good time of year for there?

Gary, wait until spring. The ponds are really low now and is kind of a hit and miss this time of year. In April I will be putting together the 2nd annual gathering out there. (somewhere on the 14th or 21st).
That would be a good time to come and meet some folks from here and the activity would be picking up.

[Stargazer77517]

Heres a few more I dug up.

Elm lake







Bridge on the trail to Elm Lake



40 ac lake back by the tower



Trail to the tower




Sunrise across 40ac





and a few birds