Slideshow: Brazos Bend State Park Reptile Photography Photowalk

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September 4, 2009, I walked the Reptile Photography Walk at Brazos Bend State Park with Laszlo Perlaky and a group of photographers who came out despite the heavy afternoon rain showers (we all had our large plastic trash bags in case it came another downpour). As always Laszlo took the time to share his perspective and insight into nature photography as well as his experience as a fine art nature photographer.

OK. So the one thing I didn’t photograph at this walk were reptiles. Too many other things caught my eye that afternoon and my mind was a lot less focused. I took a variety of kinds of images from landscapes to closeups to birds, but the one or two small alligators I saw were being tormented by the few kids on the trails and I just felt like they needed to be left alone.

It had rained heavily in the early afternoon and the whole park seemed a little more hushed than usual. Not as many people at the park and the wildlife had either not come out from where ever they go when it rains or they had already moved to roost.

However, the Yellow Crowned Night Herons and White Ibis made a brief late evening appearance for last minute hunting and a Little Blue Heron came near the shore of Elm Lake and captured all the photographers’ attention.

The grasses were greener from the fresh rain with rain drops still found on many flowers and a rabbit was out foraging in a meadow until he saw me pointing my camera his way.

As the Ibis and Whistling Ducks took roost, those of us who stayed to the end of the walk were treated to a nice sunset behind the retreating storm clouds. The light made interesting colors and textures in the duck weed on New Horseshoe Lake.

The thing I was reminded of most on this walk was to consider your theme and subject, but be open to whatever may present itself.

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Gallery: Brazos Bend State Park Reptile Photography Photowalk

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