An encounter with wildlife at Pedernales Falls State Park was not a surprise. An encounter with a deer by the side of a road was a surprise!  The unpaved road was moderately traveled and was more apt to scare wildlife farther away. The deer stopped momentarily to stare and scrambled away. “What are you doing in my side of the woods?”, as if asking.  An admirable creature!

We were by the falls at the park. There wasn’t a good spot to take photographs. It was overcast and the light was glaring. We sat down and waited for the light to change.  Sunset was always a good time for softer light and more brilliant colors.  I hope the clouds part a little bit and let the sun do its magic with the light.

There was a herd of goats on the other side of the river. They were edging closer to the water. Gradually, one by one reached the water’s edge and started drinking. The river was their watering hole!  It was good that we were on the other side of the river.

There were two birds downriver. One by the river bank and one on a sand bar in the river. Blue Herons!  One bird perched on a sandbar and was watching all the people. No hint of fear or apprehension. Somehow, the bird attracted the attention of the people and some tried to approach it. The bird simply flew away to another part of the river.

There was another kind of bird that I noticed at Pedernales Falls State Park. Turkey vultures! There was a whole flock of them at the higher portion of the rocky bank and they gave the impression that they were always looking for something.  Every now and then, one of the turkey vultures flew off, circle overhead, and go back to the same spot – surveillance!

Park websites and magazines always mention wildlife watching as one of the park activities.  I always thought that this pertains to watching bison, long-horned cattle, or colorful birds. I didn’t consider that deer, heron, goat and vulture were also resident wildlife. This experience certainly did increase my awareness of their presence.