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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cactus in Santa Elena Canyon

I was photographing in Santa Elena Canyon on a trip to Big Bend National Park when I looked at the rock above me and saw this cactus sticking out of the side of it.

I thought it might make a nice image framed against the "V" of the canyon.

I am constantly amazed at how many different things in the park can make a great photograph, even a single cactus.