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.