Brazos River - Day 2

Note: Left click on any photo to enlarge.

First light on Saturday morning, followed by a nice sunrise.

The Plains coreopsis were brilliant in the early light.

Driven by dreams of fishing glory, Mike was first onto the water.

Sleeping boats.

I decided to make the rounds with my camera as breakfast was being prepared by our crew of chefs.

The view looking downstream from our campsite.

Purple Bindweed with raindrops.












Western Horse-nettle.

Fire-wheel (or Indian-blanket).

Horsemint (Bee-balm), somewhat past their prime.

How many paddlers does it take to ...?

The larvae of a sulphur butterfly seems to be attracted to Michael's pants - or maybe it's the coreopsis.

A basket flower.

Our solitude was suddenly shattered as a flat-bottomed boat with an outboard motor and jet drive roared past.

Mike and his trophy fish.

Proud fisherman and prey both smile for the camera.

The dry ice had run its course -- it was time to finish the ice cream deserts.

These scenes for some reason prompted Don to share his penguin car joke. I swear that I almost saw a contented seal slip into the river.

Mike's big catch turned into a delicious meal.

A skeleton weed (with hungry insect) on the left and Bull-nettle (aka Malo Mujer or Tread-softly), one of the best-armed Texas wildflowers, on the right.

Off on a hike.

The scenery and wildflowers were quite spectacular.

Texas Prickly-poppy.

A Wine-cup.

A blooming Texas Prickly-pear cactus attracted two visitors.

Explorers surveying their new-found domain.

The famous Brazos River "Running of the Cows."

Michael has found something interesting.

A very large king snake has discovered a birds' nest. Here it is devouring the last of the nestlings, with a feather or two still sticking out of its mouth.

You look'n at me?

Prodded by the onlookers, the snake quickly makes its get-away.

Can you spot the end of its narrow tail?













We stepped a little more carefully after that encounter.




















Back to the river. Our campsite was a little further upstream and around the bend from the one seen in the distance.

Milkweed with, quite appropriately, a visiting milkweed bug.

A painted bunting displays its colors.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Team Mad River glides by a contemplative Joe.

Bob tried his luck, too.

Mac and Ron return to camp (empty handed).

The campfire at dusk.

Note: For 42 additional Day 2 photos, click on this link to my Flickr page, then click on "Slideshow."