Later, gator. ..

Today we took advantage of those incredible Texas "winter" days (read: shorts and t-shirts) by traveling just 40 minutes from our house to Brazos Bend State Park, home of the American Alligator. Let me start by saying how the State Parks are one of our most underappreciated treasures here in the great state of Texas. They are clean, well-maintained, with tons of activities and fun stuff. I wish people appreciated them more, but I also appreciate that they are not too overrun. But enough about that. . .let's get to the gators!!!
Both my DH and I went to this park often when we were growing up, but nothing makes encountering these modern-day dinosaurs up-close less exhilirating!!!
This 6-foot-plus bad boy was "blocking" the trail at one point. That's the kind of fun stuff you see at Brazos Bend as these critters come up to sun themselves. Thank goodness for telephoto lenses!
Oh, and this park SCREAMS "amateur enthusiast" when it comes to wildlife photography. Everyone was sporting their massive cameras and clamoring to roll in the dirt to get up close and personal for that perfect shot. Seriously, folks, this ain't National Geographic!!!
But the park lends itself to some striking photo ops with lots of Spanish moss for that very "old Southern" feel. And lots of birds, turtles, and the occasional wild hog. The only one we saw was a very large dead one on the side of the road. Eeew.
Zane had a blast--or at least he wasn't screaming, so I consider that a good thing.
Check out my Shutterfly for more pics later today!