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.