Big Bend In Bloom

My annual Instructional Photo Tour to the Big Bend National Park during late March and early April this year was the best ever.  Because of exceptional rainfall winter rains, the park was abloom and flush with color.  Many who have visited or worked in the park agree that this spring bloom was a once-in-10-years event.

Take a look at the photos which follow and note the color explosion which we haven’t seen in past trips.   Don’t forget to click on the right edge of a photograph to increase the size and sharpness for better viewing.

Claret Cup Cactus above the Pecos River, Texas
Claret Cup Cactus above the Pecos River, Texas

The scene above greeted us as we prepared to cross the Pecos River at the upper end of Amistad Reservoir.  After stopping at the overlook for a leg stretch, I spotted red cactus blooms along the cliff below.  One hour later, after thoroughly photographing the landscape, we were back in the car and headed west.

Big Bend National Park in bloom; bluebonnets and prickly pear cactus
Big Bend National Park in bloom; bluebonnets and prickly pear cactus

I decided to add a touch of “canvas” to the background on this image.  The Photoshop filters offer some exciting options to get the most from a print.  This image was a little north of Castolon Store in Big Bend Natl. Park.

 

Prickly pear cactus in bloom with "mule ears" formation in the background at Big Bend National Park, Texas
Prickly pear cactus in bloom with “mule ears” formation in the background at Big Bend National Park, Texas

 

I think I was sitting in some dead dog cactus while shooting this photo at nearly ground level.  Sometimes I get caught up in the moment and forget to inspect the ground closely before getting in close to the subject.

Wildflowers on Dog Canyon Trail, Big Bend National Park, Texas
Wildflowers on Dog Canyon Trail, Big Bend National Park, Texas

It’s a 5 mile round trip from the highway to Dog Canyon in the northern part of the park.  The photography group loved the hike, the wildflowers and the cliffs.

Tourist watching the sun set through "the window" in the Chisos Mts. in Big Bend National Park
Tourist watching the sun set through “the window” in the Chisos Mts. in Big Bend National Park

The Chisos Basin “window” is always our first planned photo stop in the park.  When clouds are present, the window is always exceptional during sunset.

Big Bend Wildflowers_MG_6940Bluebonnets added a lot of nice color this view of ruins near Cottonwood Campground looking north to the Chisos Mountains.

Rio Grande near Boquillas Canyon in Big Bend National Park, Texas
Rio Grande near Boquillas Canyon in Big Bend National Park, Texas

One of my favorite views of the Rio Grande as it turns toward the Boquillas rim at sunset.

Hot Springs by the Rio Grande at Big Bend National Park, Texas
Stars and light painting on the hot springs bath house by the Rio Grande at Big Bend National Park, Texas.
Big  Bend National Park at sunrise in Santa Elena Canyon.
Big Bend National Park at sunrise in Santa Elena Canyon.
Historic Terlingua Cemetery, Terlingua, Texas
Historic Terlingua Cemetery, Terlingua, Texas
Grave marker in the Terlingua Cemetery
Grave marker in the Terlingua Cemetery

 

One of the big favorites on every Big Bend photo trip is trying to capture a "starburst" at sunrise or sunset.
One of the big favorites on every Big Bend photo trip is trying to capture a “starburst” at sunrise or sunset.
Wildflowers and Chisos Mountains at Big Bend National Park.
Wildflowers and Chisos Mountains at Big Bend National Park.

We just had to stop for one (or was it 50) more wildflower photo  before exiting the park after 4 fantastic days.  The sun was just coming up as we unlimbered the tripods near Panther Junction and the Chisos Mountains.

Larry