Riverbend Outfitters

This guy seems to be smiling; he's found the perfect spot on this gorgeous East Texas Monday. We've all been waiting for this, and not to be greedy, but a little rain would be the icing on the cake! Caddo is low at 168.41, and Lake O' the Pines is also dropping at 229.49. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

Golden light on the Big Cypress Bayou highlights an industrious turtle as a perfect East Texas Sunday winds down. Let's all aspire to climb high in the coming week! Lake O' the Pines is 229.53 with no release, and Caddo is 168.41. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

We've officially entered that glorious time in East Texas when the countdown for fall color is on, but almost every day between now and then is a reflective gem! This view from Backwater Jack's RV Park launch ramp yesterday evening reminds us that the fourth quarter is a steady crescendo of beauty. Get ready! Caddo is low at 168.44, and Lake O' the Pines is 229.58. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

Three Great Blue Herons man their posts before sunrise on the upper reach of the Big Cypress Bayou, ready for a long day of fishing. The watermark on the tree to the right shows the difference in level from the recent maximum release of 3,000 CFS to gates fully closed currently! Caddo is 168.41, and Lake O' the Pines is 229.56. Happy Friday! .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

The Big Cypress Bayou continues to attract wildlife, and this morning five male Wood Ducks congregated on the bank. At first glance, they looked like the less colorful females of the species, but they are males in summer eclipse. With bright plumage, males are more likely to attract predators, so they switch between two sets of plumage: colorful breeding plumage when they need to attract females, and non-descript plumage for the rest of the year. Isn't Mother Nature cool? Lake O' the Pines is 229.60, and Caddo is 168.36. .o.the.pines.texas

The Wood Stork on Caddo says "Listen up, y'all! Cool weather is coming!" Well, we couldn't be happier about that unless there's some rain mixed in. Bring it on! Caddo is 168.49, and Lake O' the Pines has dropped to 229.63 with no release. .o.the.pines.texas tx.lovers

With no release rate into the Big Cypress Bayou, egrets, herons, and others jockey for the best fishing spot. Notice the drama in the right corner, and zoom in to see the young Ibis minding its own business beneath them. Every situation with water in East Texas has a trade-off, and we're thankful for that! Lake O' the Pines is 229.65, and Caddo is 168.47. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

It's hard to get tired of eagles, right? Taken off the list of endangered or threatened species in 2007, Bald Eagles have staged a remarkable population rebound. We see evidence of this every time we go out on Lake o' the Pines or other waterways in East Texas! Happy Labor Day! Lake O' the Pines is 229.67 and Caddo is 168.47. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

WHEN I AM OLD

When I am old...
I will wear soft gray sweatshirts...
and a bandana over my silver hair...
and I will spend my social security checks on my dogs.

I will sit in my house on my well-worn chair
and listen to my dogs breathing.
I will sneak out in the middle of a warm summer night
and take my dogs for a run, if my old bones will allow...

When people come to call, I will smile and nod
as I show them my dogs...
and talk of them and about them.....the ones so beloved of the past
and the ones so beloved of today...

I will still work hard cleaning after them,
mopping and feeding them and whispering their names
in a soft loving way.
I will wear the gleaming sweat on my throat,
like a jewel, and I will be an embarrassment to all...
especially my family...
who have not yet found the peace in being free
to have dogs as your best friends...

These friends who always wait, at any hour, for your footfall...
and eagerly jump to their feet out of a sound sleep,
to greet you as if you are a God,
with warm eyes full of adoring love and hope
that you will always stay,

I'll hug their big strong necks...
I'll kiss their dear sweet heads...
and whisper in their very special company....

I look in the mirror... and see I am getting old....
this is the kind of person I am...
and have always been.

Loving dogs is easy, they are part of me.

Please accept me for who I am.
My dogs appreciate my presence in their lives...
they love my presence in their lives...

When I am old this will be important to me...
you will understand when you are old,
if you have dogs to love too.

-Author Unknown

Otter Island? This morning, we caught a quick glimpse of movement on the shore at the end of the point at Island View RV Park, just in time to see a large otter hit the water before disappearing. When they don't want to be seen, they are gone! Lake O' the Pines is 229.67 with no release, and Caddo is 168.49. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

Paddling Clear Lake and Benton Lake TPWD trails this last day of August reminds us of the diversity of the backwater lakes, and that soon the green backdrop will change to something more dimensional. Throw a little crispness to the air, and it's Heaven on Earth! Caddo is low at 168.37, and Lake O' the Pines is 229.64. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

This guy snagged breakfast with a move that looked effortless, then flew over the Lakeside Park Disc Golf Course to a tall pine tree to enjoy it. We hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day weekend, and so what if it rains? Lake o' the Pines is 229.69 with no release, and Caddo is 168.44. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

As if the rain and cooler temperatures weren't enough, two gorgeous American Avocets touched down at Lakeside Park and struck a pose this morning! Life is sure good in East Texas! Lake O' the Pines is 229.69 with no release, and Caddo is 168.45. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

These two are watching for rain, along with the rest of us in East Texas! Lake O' the Pines has dropped to 229.65 with no release, and Caddo is 168.42. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

Twinkle Toes put all the other herons and egrets lining the bayou in the background to shame, but let's just call this a rain dance and hope it works, East Texas! We hear the thunder roll! Lake O' the Pines has dropped to 229.70 with no release, and Caddo is 168.46. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

The sun made a beautiful appearance on the horizon this morning all cloaked in clouds, the air feels better, and we may just get some rain this week! Happy Monday! Lake O' the Pines is 229.73, and Caddo is 168.46. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

Sundays can be a great time for reflection. A juvenile Little Blue Heron watches the water from one of the many downed trees on the upper reach of the Big Cypress Bayou. Boat traffic is nearly impossible; even kayaking can be challenging in some areas. It's part of the ebb and flow of these East Texas waterways that we're so blessed to enjoy. Lake O' the Pines is 229.75, and Caddo is 168.45. .o.the.pines.texas ⭕️ .lovers

For those in East Texas who are weary of heat and drought conditions, remember that autumn officially begins in just 29 days. Benton Lake TPWD paddling trail will soon start the metamorphosis into the most magical backwater lake on the Big Cypress Bayou! Caddo is 168.50, and Lake O' the Pines is 229.75. Hang on, fall is coming! .o.the.pines.texas .lovers ⭕️

Two early-morning paddlers head toward the Clear Lake TPWD paddling trail from the Backwater Jack's launch. The Great Blue Heron is a standard fixture at the entrance of Clear Lake, and he's not budging for anyone! Caddo is 168.53, and Lake O' the Pines has dropped to 229.79. Happy Friday! .o.the.pines.texas 🚣

The Big Cypress Bayou has been a bird magnet, with low levels that create a perfect hunting atmosphere. This morning, several juvenile White Ibises flew in and mingled with herons and egrets fishing along the muddy banks. To top it all off, the weather for an August day is lovely! Lake O' the Pines is 229.78, and Caddo is 168.52. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

The Cormorant enviously eyed the Snowy Egret's catch from above, but it didn't try to take it. There are miles of Big Cypress Bayou and plenty of fish to feed all the inhabitants, even though the banks are high and the flow is low right now! Lake O' the Pines is 229.82, and Caddo is 168.55. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

A smokey-eyed Mississippi Kite takes a break from catching dragonflies on this milder East Texas day; it's still hot, and we need rain, but we're thankful for the blessings of this rural life. And the blue supermoon will be in the sky again tonight! Lake O' the Pines is 229.83 with no release, and Caddo is 168.54. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

Waiting for the moon tonight had its own unexpected rewards, and aren't so many things like that? Lake O' the Pines is 229.89 with no release, and Caddo is 168.53. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

A Little Blue Heron demonstrates just how vividly beautiful a bird can be along the banks of Lake O' the Pines. Less common than Great Blue Herons in our area, these birds are solitary hunters. We're thankful for the water around us, which is the lifeline for so much wildlife! Lake O' the Pines is 229.92 with no release, and Caddo is 168.63. .o.the.pines.texas ⭕️ .lovers

The sun seemed uncertain about emerging from the clouds this morning, but it rallied and brought the heat. The little cypress photographed so many times symbolizes resilience; its bare roots have been exposed and submerged to the tip, all within the past six months. Yet, it keeps on thriving. Mother Nature can teach us so much if we will pay attention! Lake O' the Pines has evaporated to 229.95, and Caddo is 168.62. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

Pine needles flying, an eagle dropped from a branch on Lake O' the Pines this morning at first light. I didn't even notice the mate sitting on the same branch until I got back to the computer, and isn't that fun? These days, where you see one eagle, you will likely see two! Lake O' the Pines is 229.97 with no release, and Caddo is 168.67. .o.the.pines.texas

Even after sunset, staying close to the water seems to be the name of the game in this East Texas heat, but not without some complaining! Lake O' the Pines is 229.97 with no release, and Caddo is 168.67. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers

These two were watching the sun go down over Lake O' the Pines from their favorite spot by Island View, and that's a sight to rival the sunset! The lake has dropped to 229.98 with no release, and Caddo is 168.74. .o.the.pines.texas .lovers