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Little Creekfield Lake is my favorite to walk around. Among several types of waterfowl found here are koots and black-belled whistlers.

The rope-like vine that is entangled in so many of the trees in the park brings "Tarzan" to the lips of many.

The foggy mist casts an eerie look on Little Creekfield Lake.

On this particular morning, my traveling partner and I got up early to take a walk around Little Creekfield Lake. We didn't see any of the koots and black-bellied whistlers (such as those below) that we had seen the day before, but we could defnitely hear them. They must have been sheltered in all the marsh and sea grass that can be found in this small lake.

An egret makes a graceful landing on the water at Little Creekfield Lake.

Above: A little 'see-saw' time?

Right: Ibises can be found throughout Brazos Bend State Park.

Below: A red-shouldered hawk pauses cautiously in a tree near Horseshoe Lake.

Guts and gall - that's what it took to walk under these trees around Horseshoe Lake that were covered with turkey vultures. And as we approached each tree, the flock would take off - all at once - causing us to instinctively look up (which was not very wise) and hold our ears to cushion the sound of the flapping of hundreds of wings.

Above: A Little Blue Heron scouts for food.

Left: We didn't see many alligators on the rainy day, but the next day when the sun was out, so were they - lots of 'em.

Signs are posted throughout the park to be cautious of the alligators and to not feed or approach them. Luckily, almost everyone we saw was in or near the water and on the opposite bank from where we stood.

But not all of them. We took a walk behind the Nature Center and found a family of four or five sunning down in the gully.

Hiking and bking paths around 40-Acre Lake offer peace and tranquility.

Beautiful old live oak trees grace the grounds of Brazos Bend State Park. In fact, there is a walking path called Hoot's Hollow Trail that comprises some of the oldest and largest in the park.

The cluster of trees above and to the right is on the main road leading into the park, across the street from the parking lot to 40-Acre Lake.

Moss-covered trees line this walking path on the north side of 40-Acre Lake.

A great egret searches the water for food.

The park suffered major damage from Hurricane Ike in September 2008. It's most evident around Elm Lake; however, it doesn't keep the waterbirds away...or the alligators (below).

At first glance, I wasn't too sure this wasn't a snake. So, chicken that I am, I snapped a couple of pictures, then ran.

A young alligator suns on a log near Elm Lake.

Above: Little Creekfield Lake at dusk.

Below, left and right: Sunset over Elm Lake.