McKinney Falls State Park - Texas

McKinney Falls State Park is a 641 acre state park within the city limits of Austin, Texas, just 13 miles from the state capitol. It includes the confluence of Onion Creek and Williamson Creek. Above the confluence are two small but beautiful waterfalls, Upper Falls and Lower Falls, both cascading over large limestone rocks on Onion Creek. 

The one morning we had in Austin we got up early and got there about 8:00 a.m. when it opened. That gave us about 1 1/2 hours there before we had to leave to get to the opening of the Blanton Art Museum in Austin at 10:00 a.m. 

After a drive through the park to get our bearings, we drove to the parking area near Lower Falls and walked in. There was not much water-flow in Onion Creek, but there was a beautiful slow creek below which was occupied by a beautiful snowy egret strutting its lacy breeding feathers. Above the falls were quite a few blue-winged teals and greater yellowlegs. 

Lower Falls without much water flow. I've seen photos of it with much, much more. 

This beautiful snowy egret fluffed-up in a way I've never seen before. 

Blue-winged teals. 

Greater yellowlegs

We walked back to the car and drove to parking for the Upper Falls. The Upper Falls are a shorter walk, but not as pretty or as scenic. Above the falls was another snowy egret and more blue-winged teals. Below the falls was a rock that we watched accumulate 8 Texas river cooters while we were there. 

The Upper Falls.

Another snowy egret with some blue-winged teals. 

Texas river cooters. 

The park is developed with lots of lawn, but Onion Creek and the water falls are gorgeous.  

What may be giant spiderwort.

And we got to see the famous Texas bluebonnets, just beginning to bloom.