Texas and New Mexico trip: I am headed to the "Hill Country" of Texas early April to hopefully photograph some of the blooming bluebonnets and other wildflowers, then down to Big Bend...

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

I am headed to the "Hill Country" of Texas early April to hopefully photograph some of the blooming bluebonnets and other wildflowers, then down to Big Bend NP and over to NM for Carlsbad and White Sands. I will have 3 weeks for this trip and have a lot of ground to cover, but if there is anyone in the area that is up for some "shoot" time, I would love to meet you. Also, if you have any "cannot miss" places, please let me know.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Headed to Calsbad, Guadalupe, and possibly Big Bend but it will be the second half of February. Interested in input from people who know the area.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

MtnMan wrote:

Headed to Calsbad, Guadalupe, and possibly Big Bend but it will be the second half of February. Interested in input from people who know the area.

Too bad our schedules are not going to "jive" but since I will be covering the same ground will be interested to see what replies we both get.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

Here are results from a search done here for Big Bend Park.

Enjoy the reading.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search-topic-list?q=Big+Bend+Park&sectnum=0&username=

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

AuntieM wrote:

I am headed to the "Hill Country" of Texas early April to hopefully photograph some of the blooming bluebonnets and other wildflowers, then down to Big Bend NP and over to NM for Carlsbad and White Sands. I will have 3 weeks for this trip and have a lot of ground to cover, but if there is anyone in the area that is up for some "shoot" time, I would love to meet you. Also, if you have any "cannot miss" places, please let me know.

Get the Google Trips app.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Big Bend will blow you away. It has been wet there over the past year and it is a vivid as it can be. Be sure to plan some star shots. I went in September and I am going back next September. Have fun.

alandg46 Loc: Boerne, Texas

Willow City Loop just north of Fredericksburg off Texas 16 is wonderful for bluebonnets and paintbrush if rain has been sufficient.

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

From Big Bend you might want to head up through Ft. Davis on your way to Carlsbad. Big Bend is fun place to shoot, but when we were there is was darned hot. Also between the Hill Country and Big Bend is Langtry, Tx. where Judge Roy Bean's courthouse is. Fun place to visit and some photo ops.

Roswell has the Bottomless Lakes and a wetlands area with lots of birds. You can also check out the Alien museum. Just north and west of Carlsbad is Sitting Bull Falls. Some good photo ops here. You can also do the caverns. You will need a tripod for some slow shutter shots in the caverns.

If you don't want to go as high up as Roswell you can go straight to White Sands from Artesia. This will take you through Cloudcroft where you might find some interesting shots.

White Sands has some good shooting, especially late evening and twilight. Any place out in these areas will give you great star shots. It's pretty dark out there if you are 10 miles from town.

Sitting Bull Falls:

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alandg46 Loc: Boerne, Texas

Lots of bluebonnet opportunities in that area. LLano, Marble Falls. Google it.

wapiti Loc: round rock, texas

Check at the Chambers of Commerce in Llano[old railroad depot] and Mason. They will have lots of information. Highway 29 from Buchanan Dam to Mason. Highway 16 from Llano to Fredericksburg. Highway 87 from Fredericksburg to Mason. Check area around Loyal Valley and Cherry Springs on 87. Highway 261 and 2241 from Buchanan Dam to Llano. Lone Grove area on 2241 can be very good.
Of course, the spring bloom is heavily dependent on weather. So far, the Hill Country has been blessed with good rains and the spring bloom has good possibilities if the weather continues to cooperate. We're expecting good rains this week end. The areas which I have "flagged" above are in the heart of the Hill Country and can be spectacular in a good year. I'll be in that area during the first couple of weeks in April. In addition, check the various webb sites on Texas Wildflowers. They'll be active starting around the last week of March.

texaseve Loc: TX, NC and NH

AuntieM wrote:

I am headed to the "Hill Country" of Texas early April to hopefully photograph some of the blooming bluebonnets and other wildflowers, then down to Big Bend NP and over to NM for Carlsbad and White Sands. I will have 3 weeks for this trip and have a lot of ground to cover, but if there is anyone in the area that is up for some "shoot" time, I would love to meet you. Also, if you have any "cannot miss" places, please let me know.

If I am still over there in early April I would be happy to do some shooting and can show you the Willow Loop. The other poster is correct in saying "if rain has been sufficient". I should know about the rain since I will be heading over to San Antonio around the 3rd week of March. I also live in eastern NC at this time.

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

AuntieM wrote:

I am headed to the "Hill Country" of Texas early April to hopefully photograph some of the blooming bluebonnets and other wildflowers, then down to Big Bend NP and over to NM for Carlsbad and White Sands. I will have 3 weeks for this trip and have a lot of ground to cover, but if there is anyone in the area that is up for some "shoot" time, I would love to meet you. Also, if you have any "cannot miss" places, please let me know.

Big Bend is a great place to visit. I'd suggest staying a night in Marathon at the Gage Hotel. After leaving the park, we stayed at the Cibolo Creek Ranch - a bit pricey, but well worth it - especially the tour of the old forts. Another great little town is Marfa which was the subject of a 60 minutes piece a few years ago. Here are a few links to some of my photos from our trip. Have fun!
Mark

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-429246-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-428419-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-429248-1.html

twowindsbear

The Very Large Array radio telescope at Socorro is interesting.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

twowindsbear wrote:

The Very Large Array radio telescope at Socorro is interesting.

Aren't those the ones that were in the movie Contact? Can you get in or do you have to view them from the road? Pie Town is right down the road from there too.....it was on Sunday Morning some time ago.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

billnourse wrote:

From Big Bend you might want to head up through Ft... (show quote)

Great looking falls. Will put it on my listing of "must do" when out there. Was thinking of staying somewhere around Fredricksburg for a few days and doing a loop north and then south of Fburg - then heading into San Antonio for a day to see the Alamo and the riverwalk if they are worth the effort of driving in a big unfamiliar city. If anyone thinks that is a waste of time, let me know - I would much rather be out in the country anyway. I had Langtry on my list to drive through on the way to Big Bend and then head up through Ft. Davis and McDonald Observatory into NM. Roswell is also on my list - that must be an interesting town to visit. Another Hogger has given me a lot of places in that area for lakes, etc. so this should be a very interesting trip. Hope I remember the date I need to be back in Dallas to get my flight.