Sometimes, you don't have to travel far to find something worth photographing.
After spending weeks on the road exploring the landscapes of the Great Plains and Mountain West, I've been experiencing a little nature withdrawal. There's something about being outdoors, camera in hand, never knowing what you might encounter.
Yesterday, my husband and I headed to Armand Bayou Nature Center with two things in mind: getting some outdoor time and hopefully capturing a few wildlife photos.
The Welcome Sign
Where a quick nature fix began.
Alligators, Frogs, and Bloodsuckers
As we started down the trail, I scanned the murky water for signs of life. The still, muddy water and thick vegetation along the edges made it difficult to tell what might be lurking just beneath the surface.
I spotted a full-grown alligator in the distance, along with a couple of smaller ones and a few frogs. It was a promising start. Dragonflies darted around, but they were moving too quickly for me to get a decent shot. After a few unsuccessful attempts, I gave up on those little speed demons.
We decided to take the Lady Bird Trail Loop, a 1.5-mile walk through the nature center. I was hoping the trail would offer more opportunities to spot wildlife and get some photographs.
My first stop was the garden that normally attracts butterflies. There weren't nearly as I’d seen in July, when it was considerably hotter and more humid. Apparently, the butterflies had other plans.
I also wondered whether the lack of rain was taking a toll on the plants. The garden didn't seem to have the same activity I'd remembered from my last visit, and the flowers weren't attracting nearly as many butterflies.
I continued along the trail, keeping an eye out for birds. I listened for calls and watched the surrounding vegetation, hoping to catch a glimpse of something moving among the branches.
Unfortunately, the only ones I seemed to encounter were the kind that suck your blood.
It wasn't particularly hot, but the mosquitoes were still out in force. With the nearby bayou and damp surroundings, they seemed to have plenty of places to hang out while waiting for their next meal.
I really hate those things. It's hard to enjoy a peaceful walk when you're constantly swatting at mosquitoes and wondering how many have already found you.
Where Is Everybody?
We kept walking, hoping to spot something interesting along the way, but there wasn't much happening on this stretch of the trail. We continued through the area, scanning the surroundings for movement, but the wildlife seemed to be keeping a low profile.
So, we headed toward the prairie fields, thinking we'd have better luck there.
No deer. No birds. Not much of anything, really.
Wildlife doesn't operate on a schedule, and apparently, nothing had received the memo that we'd come looking for it.
That's the thing about wildlife photography. You can bring your camera, have your settings ready, and keep your eyes peeled, but the animals get to decide whether they're going to cooperate. Sometimes you get lucky. Other times, you walk away with a few snapshots and a healthy appreciation for the creatures that don't bite.
Or, in the mosquitoes' case, the ones that do.
A Welcome Bison Sighting
On my previous visit, I hadn't been able to see the bison. This time, though, two were out and about.
Finally, something worth stopping for!
The female was busy grazing while the male had settled into a corner, apparently more interested in catching a nap than entertaining visitors. He seemed perfectly content to ignore the world around him, which, honestly, sounded pretty appealing after our walk.
I took the opportunity to photograph them before settling onto the bison viewing platform for a short break. It was nice to sit for a while and take in the surroundings without constantly scanning for something to photograph.
After a bit, we made our way back to the car.
A Little Something Is Better Than Nothing
Our visit lasted about an hour and a half before we decided to head home. It was a relatively short outing, and the wildlife sightings were fewer than I'd hoped for.
Still, I got some fresh air, stretched my legs, and came away with a few photographs. I didn't come home with a memory card full of incredible wildlife images, but that wasn't the only reason I'd gone.
After weeks of exploring the wide-open spaces of the Great Plains and Mountain West, I needed a little time outdoors. Armand Bayou helped take the edge off my nature withdrawal, even if the mosquitoes tried their best to ruin the experience.
Fortunately, I won't have to wait long for another opportunity. This coming weekend, I'll be heading out to photograph some much faster birds.
Here's hoping those birds are more cooperative than the dragonflies—and that the mosquitoes stay home.
