Swamp guards alert birds that photographer is in the swamp.

While I was out shooting at the Cattail Marsh Scenic Wetlands and Boardwalk in Tyrrell Park in Beaumont, TX, these Black-Necked Stilts would be quick to spring from the marsh and to warn other birds that I was a threat.  They would fly throughout the nearby marsh screeching their warning.

They would also fly over me to take a good look and apparently to let other birds know of my presence.  It was a behavior I had seen in other areas, but these watchbirds were much more aggressive.

I don't know how this Red-Winged Black Bird found something strong enough to hold him up in this sea of young plants out on Pleasure Island. But he grabbed hold of two stalks -- on in each leg and sent a message by looking up. However the wind was brisk and after a few minutes he gave up his King on the Flowers position.

I was out at Cattail Marsh and caught this group of mud brothers trying to dry out with very little sun to share.

Fire-breathing sky

A fire-breathing sky  in Beaumont, TX settling in for the night.

Sunset: Flecked, brushed, hatched and pied

Flecked, brushed, hatched and pied, this sunset from last week caught my eye as it gave calm comfort to the ending of a busy day.

Calico shore bird turns escape artist

We were down on Bolivar Peninsula checking out the pre-storm conditions (with Hurricane Harvey moving up through the Gulf of Mexico) when I shot this photo of a Rudy Turnstone.  Because of the bright conditions, I didn't notice at the time that this guy had gotten snagged in what looks like a remnant from a net.  I checked the photos I took after this and notice that he did finally get free from his bondage.

Feathery sunset watchers of Bolivar Peninsula

The suns sets over East Bay on the Bolivar Peninsula ( on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico) while a Brown Pelican and a Gull take up their sunset posts at the dock by the Stingaree  Restaurant and bar to enjoy the view.

Fire-filled nightfall on Bolivar Peninsula's East Bay

A fiery sun slides into East Bay off Bolivar Peninsula as the boat docks grow quiet for the night.

Sundown's last cast at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge

A wading fisherman takes his last cast at Frozen Point in the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge as the sun's rays take their last skips across East Bay.

Head twisting lizard gives me the twisted eye.

This young lizard was hiding out in our canopy in the back yard.  I think the green color made him think it was a tree.

If you look at the images below,  he was watching me with his right eye.  In image two, he begins to twist his head. In image three, he has his head twisted all the way around to see me with his left eye.  It was as if he had to give each eye a chance to figure out if I was going to spoil his nap.

Sprinkle bedazzles morning flowers

These beauties woke up to a morning shower that added some shine to their faces.

Playful, plashy platform brings pleasure to fun-seeking Yogi fans

This splashy, swashing sentry in the middle of the splash pad at Yogi Bear Jellystone Campground in Waller is the scene of excitement for kids and smiles for grown ups. We took some of the grand kids camping there this summer and got them hooked on water parks.

Watchful white-winged dove

As long as I kept a reasonable distance, this white-winged dove in my backyard didn't mind me snapping a few shots.

Grackles grapple with glass of goodies

The guy on the bottom seems to be saying "I tell you there's a way to get those seeds out.  I saw that little bird do it.  It CAN be done."  (They didn't figure it out.)

Gull glides by looking for lunch

This friendly fellow flew by me slowly several times as I was at Walter Humphrey State Park on Pleasure Island shooting pictures.  I guess he was wondering why I was throwing him some of the fish I caught (I wasn't fishing).   I don't know what the hanging leg was all about.  Maybe it was in case I tried to some of his food or something.

Ominous clouds can't deliver on rain threat

This was the weather system that blew past our neighborhood last night. Ominous as it might look, it was all bluster and no rain.  The air cooled down to about 80 degrees, and it turned breezy  -- but not even a sprinkle.

Feather-flustered grackle

Size does make a difference.  This grackle was frustrated because he couldn't fit on the small lip around the bird feeder and all of his blustering and puffing was to no avail.  The smaller birds were thrilled to see him fly off feather-flustered.

Dragonfly defends his territory, but puts up with photographer

This dragonfly and I had a long visit, as I tried to photograph him with a short lens.  As I moved closer, he had a certain distance of comfort.  If I came into that space, he (she?) would take a short flight to assess the danger.  But in a few minutes he would be back on his perch. I suppose this stick gave him the best vantage point to watch over his neck of the ditch.  

There was another dragonfly (that had the same color markings) nearby.  But this guy made sure he stayed a couple yards away.

I suppose his little area was a prime one for hunting.  The stem was about a foot and half off the water of the ditch.  But the water was very high from recent rains.  I wonder if he will move when the water goes back down.

Black-Bellied Whistling Duck duo dodges danger

This pair of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were out on the Brentwood Golf Course but flew off in the direction of our house.  As we were walking home, I noticed they had taken to the safety of the top of neighbor's house.  According to eBird reports, this is about as far north as they are see in our area. They are more commonly see at the Terrell Park Cattail Marsh.

One of the things I love to watch on Galveston Island is the pelicans flying in formation.  They are taking advantage of aerodynamics to conserve energy -- getting a little lift from the pelican in front and a little to the side of them.

Their dawdling drift down the beach will put you in a mood to slow down and watch.