Photos along the White Oak Bayou
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2019 Fish-Off in conjunction with FWP Happy Trails and Hot Dogs
2018 Fish-Off in conjunction with FWP Happy Trails and Hot Dogs2017 Fish-Off - Resurrected Photo Slideshow2005 Deja Va Fish Off
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Our Bayou Birds
Recent Bird Photos by Wendy Wright from her walks along the White Oak Bayou
2019
A Snowy Egret feeding among the beer and soda cans that are washed into the White Oak Bayou by every storm. These cans will remain intact in our bayous, bays and oceans into the 23rd century.
This Red Phalarope was most likely blown more than 1,000 miles off course by Pacific Storm fronts. It is the first of its species to be sighted in Harris County. The bird breeds in the high arctic and spends most of its life out at sea.
"Wet bottom" detention basins along the White Oak Bayou help to reduce flooding and provide important habitat for birds and other wildlife. A Red Phalarope spent several days refueling at the Jersey Meadows Stormwater Detention Basin in June 2019.
Bridges over the White Oak Bayou serve as excellent nesting sites for various types of swallows. This is a Barn Swallow, whose long forked tail is hidden by the railing.
Recently hatched Great Horned Owls peer over the edge of a nest in a tree bordering the Little White Oak Bayou.
The edges of the bayou are oddly quiet now, with the sandpipers - including this Least Sandpiper - having recently moved north to their breeding grounds.
A lucky sighting of a Solitary Sandpiper, with these elegant birds not often spotted inside of the 610 Loop. This bird was traveling to breeding grounds in Canada.
Green Herons are small and often go unnoticed. They are among only a few species of birds known to use objects as lures while fishing.
A Snowy Egret looking unusually serious. Herons and egrets have s-shaped necks that can be extended or folded back into their breasts.
A White-throated Sparrow who probably hatched in Canada spends the winter in tangles of weeds and brush, finding food and shelter from predators.
A Great Horned Owl hidden in a daytime roost speaks to the value of protecting riparian habitat along the White Oak Bayou.
Red-shouldered Hawks, which mate for life, renew their pair bonds in winter in preparation for the labor-intensive period of nesting.
2018
The Least Sandpiper is the smallest shorebird in the world. They are migrating through the region now on their way to breeding grounds in the Arctic.
Snowy Egret – while a few herons and egrets will remain with us through the spring, most have headed off to breeding colonies along the coast
American Kestrel – this male was here for the winter, posing for a good shot before heading north for the summer
Osprey - taking a break from fishing at the end of the day
Red-shouldered Hawk - the male from a pair who are rebuilding the nest where they raised three chicks in each of the past two years
Roseate Spoonbills - uncommon visitors to the Inner Loop - feeding along the hike/bike trail
Northern Pintail ducks – uncommon visitors to the Inner Loop
Belted Kingfisher (female), ready to engage in plunge-dive fishing from a culvert leading into the bayou
Members of a flock of American White Pelicans heading south for winter – their 9’ wingspan makes them the second largest bird in the Americas
Red-vented Bulbul – Caged birds brought to Houston from India, Tibet and Burma have established feral colonies inside the 610 Loop
Red-shouldered Hawk – these beautiful hawks look extra gorgeous when lit up by the rising sun
Osprey – carrying a half-eaten fish
Northern Cardinal – Females are shy and don’t often pose as nicely as this one
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks – they whistle as they fly and can often be heard before they are seen
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks – the adults make great parents
Cooper’s Hawk (juvenile) – these small hawks help keep populations of dove and pigeons in check
Double-crested Cormorant – one of a very small group of birds who have blue-green eyes
Green Heron (juvenile) – these small herons are among a very small group of birds who have learned to use tools – this one is using a piece of plastic as a lure to attract fish
Kildeer (juvenile)– often found feeding in short grass and mud around the bayou
Red-tailed Hawk (juvenile) – only the adults have the namesake orangey-red tail
Snowy Egret – they usually look playful, but occasionally take a serious turn
Swainson’s Hawk – these are mostly western birds, but a few nest here in the spring and summer, leaving in fall on migration to South America
Wood Storks – a few from a flock of 450 seen soaring over the bayou on a breezy day in October
White-striped Longtail Butterfly
Eek! Watch where you walk on a foggy morning
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Before and after photos from the Half Moon Bay Clean-up
BEFORE
AFTER
Photos from friends of the Bayou - click on each to view.
WOBA members and their dogs at the White Oak Bayou 2015-10-25 from the Houston Chronicle's website
Dead fish on the bayou spotted August 15, 2015.
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