Gators of Brazos Bend

In the fall of 2006 I was treated for prostate cancer at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.  Though the treatments were inconvenient (42 proton treatments over eight weeks) they generally only lasted about 45 minutes each week day.  That left lots of time “and energy” to explore the area.  One of the gems I discovered was Brazos Bend State Park and its large population of gators — the park is located about thirty miles or so southwest of Houston.  During my stay in Houston at least once each week I would stroll the grounds of this very special place and hang out with the alligators, as well as with a variety of other reptiles and birds.  Below are a few photos.

Brazos Bend State Park – 35 miles from Houston, Texas

Nature trail – Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

Nature trail with visitors & American Alligators – Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

American Alligators – Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

American Alligators – Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

American Alligator – Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

American Alligator – Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

American Alligator – Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

American Alligator – Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

Little Blue Heron –  Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

White Ibis – Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

American Alligator – Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

American Alligator – Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

American Alligator – Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

American Alligator – Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

Freshwater marsh – Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

American Alligator – Brazos Bend State Park, Texas