After my younger daughter left home for her first year of college in New York City, my wife and I finally had time to plan our trip without kids. As a photographer, the first one that came into my mind was Caddo Lake, Texas.
Caddo Lake is famous due to its bald cypress trees. It is a great location for landscape and nature photographers.
On the way to Caddo Lake State Park
Oct 14, 2022, was the day of the trip to Caddo Lake. 7:00 a.m., it was still dark outside, we were already on the way. Passing by downtown Houston, beautiful colors appeared on the east side sky. How I can miss the chance to have a picture of downtown with a gorgeous backdrop?
Just one hour away from Houston, we saw the sign of Livingston. I read a story a few days before on Facebook about a lady's camping experience in Lake Livingston State Park. Why not have a short visit to the park? We got off the highway and drove into the beautiful park. Unfortunately, I forgot to change my camera setting, and the photos taken by the lakeside couldn't be used.
Leaving Lake Livingston, continue north for the final destination.
Passing by farms, and several small towns.
It was perfect weather for a road trip.
Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
After four hours of driving to the north, we arrived at the first stop, Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge. On October 19, 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved the establishment of the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge on portions of the approximately 8,500-acre Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant in Harrison County, Texas. The refuge's purpose is the management, conservation, and protection of migratory birds and other fish and wildlife. This bottomland hardwood forest ecosystem provides essential habitat for a diversity of migratory and resident wildlife species in Texas.
The refuge is right next to the lake. People are fishing and canoeing on the lake. I talked to one of the fishers. After he retired two years ago, he moved here and enjoyed a relaxing life every day.
The fisher told me that May and June are beautiful times for the lake. Bloomed lotus makes people don't want to leave.
Withered lotus has a different beauty.
Sunset time at Caddo Lake State Park
Caddo Lake State Park is five minutes away from the refuge. We arrived at the park at 5:00 p.m. on purpose. The gold sunlight was pouring on the trees. The reflections in the water made me feel so calm and peaceful.
Bald cypress trees look so unique.
The roots of bald cypress trees stick out of the ground.
Watching this view made me leave all stress and trouble behind.
Big Cypress Bayou flows through the park. The color of fall is hard to be seen in other places in Texas.
A breathtaking view of the bayou.
Jefferson, Texas
We planned our trip one month ahead, but all campsites in Caddo Lake State Park were fully booked. We had to book a hotel in Jefferson, a small town twenty minutes away from the park on the west. Then we found Jefferson is an old town with a rich history. This is the furthest place those European came to America and moved to the west by river boat.
We visited the Jefferson Historical Society Museum which is a restored 1888 Federal Court House and U.S. Post Office building.
The jury room, courtroom, attorney room, and even the place to keep the suspect before going to court are well-kept.
The Excelsior House Hotel is the oldest in Texas.
Jason "Jay" Gould (May 27, 1836 – December 2, 1892) was a leading American railroad developer and speculator. His special train car "The Atalanta" is on display in Jefferson.
A big model train layout was donated by a Dallas family. There are about 50 members of the Jefferson model train club.
Morning boat tour on Caddo Lake
Before our trip, we made several calls, and finally, we could book a two-hour private boat tour on Caddo Lake. Oct 15, 2022, the most exciting part came. At 6:45 a.m., the captain was already waiting for us when we arrived at the lakeside.
Our boat was the only one on the lake. I felt I had the whole world. The color of the sky kept changing, the sun was rising right in front of us.
The captain introduced to us all bald cypress trees in the lake are about 100~150 years old. Caddo Lake is the largest protected bald cypress tree area in North America.
An old man in a wheelchair lives alone by the lake.
The morning sunlight gave a rich color to the trees.
A passway was dug by prisoners to control the flooding.
In the old time, people came to the cabins for gambling and other illegal trade. This is the only one left after years of flooding.
Beautiful lake bank.
The sun was up and the man was fishing.
Marshall, Texas
On the way back home, we decided to visit Marshall which is 25 minutes south of Jefferson. Marshall was the first city in Texas to have telegraph service with a line that linked to New Orleans. The population of Marshall exploded after leaders lured the Texas and Pacific Railroad into town, becoming one of the south's largest cotton markets. Marshall is also the birthplace of Boogie Woogie music.
Starr family home is a state historic site in the heart of Marshall. Frank Starr and his wife Clara Starr built this house which has 150 years of history. By the time he married Clara, Frank was already working in the family land and banking agency.
Birds
Photographing birds is another exciting thing to do for this trip. Although Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets can be seen in other places, it is still super special to watch them flying in the Bald Cypress trees.
I was so excited to see Belted Kingfisher for the first time. Belted Kingfisher is a very quick flyer. They move to the south in winter.
After visiting the Starr Family Home in Marshall, I noticed a few birds playing around outside the building, and realized that I never saw them before in Houston. I stopped my car, stood on the street, and took my camera out.
I don't know the name of this bird. When I got home, I posted on the Birding Texas Facebook page. Some bird watchers told me they are Northern Mockingbirds, the state bird of Texas. Wow, I learned something new now.
The Texas State legislature agreed that the mockingbird was the most appropriate species for the state bird of Texas as a fighter for the protection of his home, like any true Texan. On January 31, 1927, Governor Dan Moody approved the measure and Texas became the first state to choose a state bird.
The mockingbird mimics 33 other birds so that a human can’t tell the difference. It is very fun to listen to.
Final
This is my first blog. After I graduated from college 30 years ago, I didn't have a chance, or I may have to say that I was lazy to write something. The brain may have been frozen, now it may be the time for me to re-use it.
Here is the link to access all photos I took in this trip.
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