Mar 28 2017 - Brazos Bend State Park.

Another fine day at Brazos Bend State Park
First task of the morning (after brewing tea and flicking caterpillars of course) is to go back to the office to pay for last nights stay.  You are supposed to be there before 9AM or they think you are free-loading.
So,while Clare organized the van, Jim cycled to pay.  The usual wildlife was out and about but squeaky brakes on the bike scared them away when stopping for photos.
Then it happened -  my "North by Northwest" moment. (kids - google it)

There is a long straight section of road and I was half way along it when I heard a plane - low and slow. It gets louder and louder then bursts into view flying straight at me.  The trees on either side are tall enough to save me - and naturally its only a crop duster lining up for a run outside the park
I watched it do a few circuits before it waved goodbye and was gone.

Got to the office at 8.30.  It opens at 9 so back to 40 acre lake for a look-see.
There were a couple of Japanese on the fishing pier with some serious looking bird-watching gear.
They seemed to be excited about a gator that was a maybe 10 yards offshore.  As I approached they split up and there was one at each end of the t-shaped pier.  I said hi to the wife and she asked me to confirm that what she was looking at was indeed a gator.  I said yes but then pointed out the other one that was right under her husbands feet.  That caused some merriment when he finally realized....

Just a few inches away....

First walk of the day was to Elm Lake.

So much wildlife - its hard to show just a few..

Next we popped into the Nature Center.  Lots of fun stuff in there but the most interactive part was the baby alligators.  Last  year at nesting time the water was much higher than usual so many nests were built too far away from the real water. As the water receded the Park Service took it upon themselves to rescue some of the eggs as they knew they wouldn't make it so far from water.  They now have maybe 50 baby alligators.  Fascinating little creatures...
Did you know they have a different number of toes front and back?  Nobody is quite sure why.

Then we zoomed a few miles up the road to George Ranch Historical Park.
This is a great place to visit if its not too hot.  4 generations of farming/ranching are on display with reconstructed (or moved) houses from the 1830's to the 1890's

1830's dogtrot house - cool breezeway down the middle

separate kitchen in case of fire - and to keep the heat out

19th century dude on a cell phone

Victorian mansion

That last picture is interesting. Look carefully at the cup he (no its not Billy Connolly) is holding.
You might not be able to make it out - but it was used by gentlemen with waxed mustaches to drink hot soup. Think about it.

Finally its back to the campsite to flick a few more caterpillars, light another fire and crack a cold one.
Cheers!