Brazos Bend State Park

[sigma1448]

I am going to be visiting relatives in Sweeny (an hour SW of Houston). I am planning to visit BBSP and want to maximize my chances to photograph something interesting. (gators, snakes, birds, etc.) What part of the park and at what times would be the best. Thanks for your help

[tc95]

Gerald...at most places early morning is usually good to see intresting stuff...right around sun-rise.....

Good Luck...

[lhdvies]

Get a map when you enter & it has been my experience that 40 Acre Lake, Elm Lake & the path in between have been the best opportunities for the creatures you mentioned!
Quite often you will see a snake or 2 on the Hoots Holler trail Good luck with your trip. It is a real gem for wildlife photography!

[DHaass]

Monday thru Thursday they don't open until 8:00am, but open at 7:00am Friday thru Sunday. If you can, get there for the weekend time and be a little early. They sometimes open up a little earlier than 7:00am. It depends on when the ranger shows. The light is better early, heat not as bad but humidity is always there.

For your first time I would walk 40 Acre Lake. This is the first parking lot to your left after passing the ranger station where you pay. Walk down the north side of the lake, past the Observation Tower to the Spillway Bridge and then come back, turning left at the tower to finish that trail. The light can get harsh pretty quick, so you can shoot in the shade from the tower to the bridge, and on the east side of 40 Acre on the way back. As far as interesting things to shoot...you could go every day of the year and see something different. That depends on your skills as a photographer and how well you "see" things.

I do know there are a few Barred Owls that hang out in the area from the tower, back to the spillway and then back to the east side of 40 Acre lake running about halfway down that side. Scan left to right, up and down while walking. Look straight ahead for the gator that will be sitting in the middle of the trail that wasn't there when you went through the first time.

Good luck and enjoy!

My website: http://dhaass.smugmug.com/Photography/Wildlife
Brazos Bend SP website: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/f...s/brazos_bend/

[sigma1448]

Thanks Tony, Doug, and Leon. Sounds like the earlier the better and the 40 Acre Lake area the best to start. I may have my brother-in-law with. He likes to fish. Can he park someplace and try his luck.

[DHaass]

Gerald, go to the website link for any particulars on the park. I do know there are usually signs where you cannot fish. There is a new pier or something at the back of Elm Lake. I'm pretty sure he can fish from the pier at 40 Acre lake. It's located straight out east from the restrooms and concrete walkway in that first parking lot. It's wide open and will get hot, but you are next to a picnic area where you can get under the trees for awhile to cool off.

[sigma1448]

Thanks a lot Doug