The Deer is safe in Barker Reservoir where the Army Corps of Engineers does not allow hunting

White-tailed deer (head shot) 

They are not too shy either.

They will just stare at you. 

High-resolution pair below: 

Cute Squirrels on the Buffalo Bayou trails

Squirrel perching in a tree 

Squirrel under park bench along the trail 

Bayou ecosystem poster with squirrel in underneath 

Squirrel in the grass on its two hind legs 

Squirrel upside down on a tree trunk 

Squirrel burying an acorn 

Pelican sightings at West Houston Storm Water Detention Ponds

No need to drive to the Gulf coast to see these majestic birds.
They can be observed from the trails on the banks of
West Houston flood control detention ponds on
Eldridge Parkway and at the West Loop at Bellaire. 

Spoonbills spotted in George Bush Park

Deer at sunset in the woods: Where is the deer?

There are plenty of deer in George Bush Park (Barker Reservoir) and in Cullen Park (Addicks Reservoir) North of I-10. You can even watch them from the respective dam roads. These are large areas -- large by suburban standards -- that are basically left to nature running its course and no hunting or even carrying of firearms is allowed in these parks (except for the shooting center on Westheimer Parkway).

Find the deer in this landscape

The white-tailed deer enjoy quasi-protected status, and they are easy to encounter, much easier than, say, the feral hogs, that also roam the grounds along the meandering bayou. But they typically emerge at dusk, and shooting them with the camera is quite a challenge. They freeze alright and stare in your direction, but they don't let you get very close, so you need a powerful zoom or telelens; but you also need a longer exposure because of the dim light conditions. If the animal moves, your image of it will get blurred. At best usable for special effect, if you are lucky enough to have a whole group in front if you and some move while others stand still and gaze at the camera.

Apparently got to close for comfort - this one is taking off;
it almost looks like a kanguruh

Wrong pose ... and tail is not even white, at least not
when in the "down" position

These two look okay as small versions on  the screen, at ISO-800 and 1/50 shutter speed, 

with a little editing and cropping on the computer upon return from the woods

I accentuated the colors a little bit on this one with the photo-editing software.
The natural lighting was quite good actually better than during the warm season
because there is no foliage to interfere  with the illumination by the setting sun.

Another abortive foray to watch deer: The live specimen on display, and happily grazing -- at Bear Creek Pioneers' Park do not quite match the interpretive sign providing background info on the White Tailed Deer. It's educational all the same. You will just have to enjoy the ponies and donkeys and leave the deer-watching for another day in another place: perhaps the nearby woods.

 Farm animals at Bear Creek Pioneers Park

at other times of the year when the grass is greener

Beautiful large birds can be viewed in the wild in George Bush Park in the winter months and throughout the years

George Bush Park is a great place for bird-watching all year long, including the winter months. Several large species of Herons and Egrets can be seen regularly along the waterways, including Buffalo Bayou and the drainage ditches feeding into it.

Great White Egret

Blue Heron (blue and brown spots)

It's November, but it's wet, and it's dragonfly season no matter what

Dragonfly Love

Lake in George Bush Park - Dragonfly Habitat

Dragonflies come in many colors - Houston area wetlands

Little blue dragonflies out in force in George Bush Park after heavy rains (11/1/2013 pic)

This dragonfly  is special, featuring two colors: green and blue. Monochromatic ones are more common.
Spotted in Bear Creek Pioneers Park, which is currently partially flooded as a result of heavy rains in the watershed, is heavily frequented by dragonflies (and ibises).

The pics below show a variety of dragonflies, in different colors, that are common in the West Houston area.