The Sun Rises.......

The sun rises on the Rio Grande and the Chisos in Big Bend NP.

In addition to the sunrise starting a new day it also marks the start of my new website. After blogging here for several months I took the next step and got a domain.

As such I'll be changing how often I'll post here. I do not want to say this is the last post, but they will not be a regular as I was doing. So I still should put up an occasional image. After all-notice I chose a sunrise and not a sunset.

So you can expect there to be an occasional addition here. I'll also make some posts on The Traveling Camera. You will also find that in addition to the website featuring galleries of my work that it has a companion blog for my travels. Hope you follow along.

Check it all out at:

www.wildernessphotographer.net

Happy trails!

-D

Sand Dunes

Sand Dunes in late afternoon light.

This image is of the Salt Basin Sand Dunes on the western side of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Cactus in the Big Bend Country

A prickly pear cactus in Big Bend National Park.

This image is taken in the volcanic section of the park west of the Chisos Mountains. The dark colored rocks are a testament to the fiery past of the area. The cactus to the dry desert climate of today.

Salt Flat Patterns

Patterns on the salt flats of west Texas. These are the Salt Basin Flats west of the Guadalupe Mountains. The dry basin extends for miles north and south. The are visible from the air (see older posts) and are a sight from above, next to and out in the middle of.

Here at the edge of the salt, dirt and gravel have washed into the flat pan bottom of the basin. A few patterns drift out into the salt and then flat white salt is all one sees.

Lions...And Bears...Oh My!

As you drive through Green Gulch on your way into the Basin in Big Bend National Park you see this sign to remind you to be cautious as bears and mountain lions roam the Chisos.

I have yet to see a bear, but I have walked up on a lion before. Exciting stuff!

Something nice about still having them out there. I hope they continue to thrive.

Wildflowers of Yellow

Wildflowers of yellow in the spring.

Texas is a land of many wildflowers. The spring brings the best and best known display-the bluebonnet. However, the flowers are many beyond that and even though the main ones bloom in the March-May time frame (like these) there is more throughout the summer and the 5th season of late summer brings a second spring (especially in the western part of the state).

This field of yellow and red is in the May time frame.

Stormy Sky

Stormy sky rolls across north Texas. We see some great stormy skies here at the bottom of tornado alley.

I saw these low ominous clouds in the middle of my day and snapped a pic.

Windmill Sunset

Windmill at sunset. Few things say Texas like a windmill. Here is one as the light of of a classic big Texas sunset lights up the sky.

Lost Peak Mountainside

Tree trunks on the side of Lost Peak in the Guadalupe Mountains.

To reach this hike you have to first goto New Mexico and then drive back into Texas at Dog Canyon on the north side of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

The trail works it's way up the side of Lost Peak as it ascends into the high country of the Guadalupes. These tree are high on the flank of the mountain.

Santa Elena Canyon Sunset Glow

The "V" notch Santa Elena Canyon at sunset.

It was the end of a very heavy overcast day. The sky was so heavy there was no chance of a sunset (or so I thought). As such, I was out looking for locations to photograph the next morning when I noticed that the western sky was starting to glow. I was not at a very good location for the sunset and I knew it would likely be over before I could get to one so I watched the light in the "V" of the canyon.

Santiago Peak and the Dead Horse Mountains

A panorama of Santiago Peak and the Dead Horse Mountains. The Dead Horse Mountains run from the eastern side of Big Bend National Park north west toward Alpine.

This view is from US385 somewhere south of Marathon looking toward the park.

Oasis

A Longspar Columbine with bee at a hidden oasis in Big Bend National Park.

In the desert a place with water is bound to be special. There are several springs, seeps, etc that have neat things to be found there. Usually shade, flowers, birds, wildlife, etc.

After a hike across an open sunny hillside, one finds this small shady oasis with water flowing for at least a few dozen feet. Nestled among the rocks here one finds bright yellow Longspar Columbine.

I just happen to find one with a bee in it.

Rio Grande in Santa Elena Canyon

Rippled water in Santa Elena Canyon-Big Bend National Park.

On a hike into Santa Elena I noticed the ripples on the water and the shadow of the canyon wall. It had a certain simplicity to it so I made this image with a bit of rock in it for good measure.

Castolon

The Castolon complex on the western side of Big Bend National Park.

Castolon was both a farming and military center in the desert. Flood plain farming was done along the Rio Grande. This place also became an Army outpost during the Mexican Revolution. Most of the buildings in the complex date from the post.

Today it is fairly well preserved and serves the only cold beverage for 40 miles.

Prickly Pear and Mule Ears Peak

A large clump of Prickly Pear cactus with Mule Ears Peak in the distance.

The western side of Big Bend National Park is a great place to explore the mountains, canyons, and desert lowlands. One such area of neat vistas and hidden places is Mule Ears Peak. A maze of trails leads into the desert and countless finds. This clump of pear cactus was one I spotted on the way to Mule Ears Spring (a great destination).

It stood a good 5' tall and had dozens of pads.

Goat Mountain

Goat Mountain in Big Bend National Park.

Goat Mountain is a peak of volcanic origin on the western side of the BBNP. It is visible from the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive between Sotol Vista and the Mule Ears Overlook. The road passes right beneath the big "V" notch on the western face. A field of tuff and boulders lies at its feet. It is a great location to see the forces of geology in action.

The Wind

Windmills in the Delaware Mountains of west Texas.

Texas can be a windy place, especially in the western part of the state. In several places around the state giant wind farms have sprung up where dozens or hundreds of windmills harness the wind to create electricity. Texas leads the country in the generation of wind power and is set to take the next step forward with even more huge wind projects.

These mills have been up for several years and line the ridgeline of the Delawares. The Delawares are just south of the Guadalupes and the wind can howl through this area so these are sure to be generating power almost non-stop. To let you know how windy it can be here I have camped at GMNP when the National Weather Service has clocked 75mph winds in Guadalupe Pass (yes, that is hurricane force). I sure am glad I have a good tent!

Mule Ears Peak

Mule Ears Peak in Big Bend National Park as seen through the spindly shadows of an ocotillo.

I had looked for different vantage points to photograph this peak with it's distinctive "ears". The overlook parking lot is the standard view, but I bushwacked through a lot of lechiguilla up one of the nearby hills (was it ever fun coming down in the dark) and found this view.

Autumn Path

Trail through the fall woods of McKittrick Canyon in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

The fall colors of the Guadalupes a vivid hidden surprise of these desert mountains. Maples from the last ice age, still survive in a few remote west Texas ranges. McKittrick Canyon is the best area in the park and has been called "the prettiest spot in Texas".

This scene is deep in the canyon near the Grotto.

Abandoned on the Roadside

Abandoned buildings and an old adobe wall in Culberson County.

There are places in the desert where people once tried to make a go of it and then decided it was not worth it. A few abandoned buildings are all that remain.

This is the remains of a old motel. Perhaps it was a thriving location on the highway once, but with the coming of the interstate things changed. Now it is a quiet ruin.

Moonset

Moonset on the sand at Monahans Sandhills State Park.

I arrived in the park early one morning to see the moonset right before the sunrose. I was only able to make a couple of frames before it was gone.

Dune Sunrise

Sunrise on the dunes at Monahans Sandhills State Park.

The Sandhills are found in the Permian Basin west of Odessa near the town of Monahans. From the Interstate one can see some sand but most of the highway roadside area has been stabilized by vegetation. It is not until you take the exit and get into the state park you see the open sand and the larger dunes. There you will find that some of the dunes are 60+ ft tall.

Western Chisos at Sunset

The western Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park at sunset.

This image was made off the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive of the western side of the Chisos on a clear afternoon.

The rock of the Chisos is reddish to begin with and the early and late light on it makes it glow orange.

Cerro Castellan by Moonlight

Star trails and moonlight on Cerro Castellan. The clear skies and full moon in Big Bend make me approach photography in a whole different way. Photographing at night, making long exposures and letting the moon light up the landscape.

It is slow going with 15 minutes being a short exposure, and sometimes longer being used. I often work two cameras but still have plenty of time to look up at the skies and wonder.

Rio Grande Sunset from the Big Hill

The Rio Grande looking west from the top of the Big Hill at sunset.

The ribbon of river comes out of the distant Colorado Canyon and makes it way downstream toward the small canyon at the Big Hill.

The view from the hill is great anytime and only gets better at sunset. Hope for some clouds and then take in the show. I got a great one this day. I sat here until the land went dark and the river glowed with the last light of the day.

Cerro Castellan at Sunset

Cerro Castellan is a prominent landmark on the western side of Big Bend National Park. It is also something normally photographed from the west. with the Chisos beyond.

This is done a little different and is photographed from the northeast. The view is toward the Sierra Ponce wall late in the day. I liked the way the yellow afternoon light gives nice backlight to the mountain.

The Big Hill Sunset

Sunset light from "The Big Hill" looking toward the Chisos Mountains.

If you have ever driven FM 170 in west Texas then you know what the Big Hill is. This stretch of highway is one of the most scenic in Texas.

It is a great place in the middle of the day (when I normally seem to pass by) but it is best at sunset when the view to the east toward the Chisos lights up in the late afternoon light.

If you can catch a big west Texas sunset you get a "double feature".

Sierra del Carmen

The Sierra del Carmen range actually lie in Mexico, south of the Rio Grande. The view of them dominates the eastern part of Big Bend National Park.

Here the winding road is heading toward to Rio Grande Village and its terminus at Boquillas Canyon-the end of the road.

Chisos Mountains Storm

Chisos Mountains from Desert Mountain Overlook on a stormy day.

Another day, another trip, same overlook. This cold windy storm was raining, dropped some sleet, and even had some lightening. It was impressive to watch. When the worst finally passed over the area I was able to make a few images.

The Chisos-Dawn Over the Mountains

Dawn over the Chisos Mountains as seen from the Desert Mountain Overlook in Big Bend National Park.

Every day is different here. Every sunrise is different than the day before. I visit this view often and have been rewarded with many different views, conditions, and images.

Here is the awesome orange sky and clouds over the mountains.

Tornillo Creek

Tornillo Creek is the stream that drains the eastern side of Big Bend National Park. The water funnels down into this small almost canyon right near Hot Springs where it flows into the Rio Grande.

Here you can see the water is just a small stream. When the rains come, it could easily be 12 feet deep here (or more).

Ocotillo Sunset

The tips of an Ocotillo reach into the sunset of west Texas. The "V" notch of Santa Elena Canyon can be seen in the distance.

The end of another day.

The Hot Springs

The hot springs in Big Bend National Park are right on the Rio Grande. As you can see in the picture, they were walled off some time ago. The water flows out at a perfect 105 degrees and fill the old foundation of the ruin before spilling over the low spot in the wall into the river.

I am standing in the middle of the "pool" and the image is taken looking downstream toward Hot Spring Canyon and the Sierra del Carmen.

Old Ruins By Night

Old border ruins by night. I was photographing old ruins near the Rio Grande in Big Bend at night. Star trails make a great subject on a clear night.

As I was photographing a friend was using his red penlight in the distance. I could not make out any light from it on the ruins but the camera "saw" it.

I like the different look and the way it lit the building and the old chimney within.

Closed Canyon

Closed Canyon in Big Bend Ranch State Park. The steep, narrow walls of red rock remind one of a slot canyon in Utah. To find it in Texas is a nice bonus.

I have made several hikes through here, it is an easy one but always draws me back. The curves and depth of it are always interesting. On my last visit we saw desert sheep along the rim of it.

This is a great desert experience.

Looking to Mexico

Here is a viewpoint overlooking Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park at sunset.

The far side of the river is Mexico. In the distance the tiny village of Santa Elena sits on the plain. The mountains are the start of the massive Sierra Ponce wall that Santa Elena Canyon carved out back upstream from here.

Pictographs

Pictographs in Big Bend National Park.

Pictographs are rock art that is painted on. To compare a petroglyph is rock art carved into the rock.

This area of Big Bend has both.

This is the sheltered underside of a large boulder. It could easily have been and likely was a place people lived. There are several images painted on the rock.

Desert Ridges

Desert ridges in Big Bend National Park. These ridges are in the low hills west of the Chisos on the road to Santa Elena Canyon.

The late afternoon light gives a nice defining shadow and texture to the hills.

Sunrise in Big Bend

Sunrise on a clear day in Big Bend National Park.

The first light of day as the sun rises over the hills and mountains of west Texas.

Melete Stone

At a hidden location near a forlorn mountain is a place with many pictographs and petroglyphs. There are many surfaces of smooth rock with rock art. There are also several places where the tumbled rocks have created covered shelter like areas. This one has a melete stone at one end of it. You can see the depression in the rock. The work of rock on grain over time wore that hole. The roof of this shelter had several brightly painted pictographs too.

It was one of several sites we found in this area.

Terlingua Creek

Terlingua Creek is a clear flowing stream that empties out of a vast area of land that goes from the Chisos up to almost Alpine. There seems to always be water flowing in it. Most of the year it is a small band of water, but when it rains-watch out. This rivulet becomes a raging torrent several feet deep.

On this early spring day in the dry season, the creek is only a few inches deep and running over rock and gravel.

The streaks black made an interesting pattern and I decided to try to make a decent image of the creek and planned on a return trip for first light.

Santa Elena Canyon

The view from deep inside Santa Elena Canyon. This is one of the narrowest points in the canyon. There is a trail that goes into the canyon but as you can see the walls and river only allow it to go so far. Beyond that it is only for rafts and canoes.

Hazy Ridges to Mexico

Hazy ridges looking toward Mexico from the Sotol Visa Overlook in Big Bend.

You can see down through the grasslands and foothills to the desert and the mountains in Mexico beyond.

This is a great location for sunset as the view takes in the entire western half of the park.

Border Grave

A single grave of a US Army soldier from the days when the army patrolled the Big Bend country.

The mountain is Cerro Castellan, it is part of the volcanic activity that occurred in the western half of BBNP.

Old Ruins

Old ruins along the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park.

This old adobe wall is slowly eroding away under the harsh desert sky of the Big Bend country.

The view from here is great, it takes in the Sierra Ponce, Santa Elena Canyon, and the Chisos.

Ocotillo Red

A companion image to a post earlier this week. This is the flowering red tip of an Ocotillo in bloom.



The sharp spines of the branch blur away below.



The scarlet of the flower is visible for a long distance and brightens the dry spring this year.

Western Chisos

The western side of the Chisos as seen from the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.

Like an island in the desert, the Chisos rise up off the desert floor to well over 7,000 ft. The mass of the mountains is just great enough to create more rain and cooler temps. That milder climate supports pines, aspens, wildlife, etc. Think of it as the southernmost reaches of the Rocky Mountains.

Ocotillo Sharp

The ocotillo is a hardy desert plant (they say it is not a cactus). It has long spindly spines that are used to makes fences. It sits looking dead for months but a rain can make it bloom full of green leaves or it sens out flowering red tips so scarlet they are almost impossible to photograph.

Here is a closeup of one. This one is not in bloom, although many in the park were. Like most desert plants it is covered in sharp points to keep others away.

Watch you step and tread lightly here.

Ocotillo Moonset

Moon set through the spindly branches of an Ocotillo in Big Bend National Park.

The clear sky and full moon were made for this found image. I was there to photograph a mountain and I found this image.

Cactus

Cactus high on the canyon wall at the Big Hill. From the top of the Big Hill one stares down several hundred feet into the Rio Grande.

Down about 30 feet from the top is a small ledge with a prickly pear thriving in the vertical realm.