AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

After Santa Elena Canyon, took a leisurely drive back up the Ross Maxwell Trail and headed for the Chisos Mountains since I was so close to them. Like I said Big Bend gave me constant surprises, and the Chisos Mountains were no exception. The road was windy and narrow, and wound its way through a pass and into a basin in the center of the mountains where a campground, lodge, restaurant, and visitor center was. Other than the road in, there are no other roads to take for scenic views into the valley, and this day was very hazy, so the view was not that great. There are a lot of hiking trails that start at the Visitor Center area, and maybe the next time I come to the Park, I will make the time to hike some of them. I had some time to kill before the restaurant opened, so scoped out the area and found that on the walkway around the side of the restaurant were a lot of trees, with a lot of birds coming and going because of an air conditioner dripping water into a small puddle on the ground. Like always, find water in the desert, and you will find wildlife. This was the perfect opportunity to get some shots, and so I did. On the way back to my motel in Study Butte, there was a beautiful sunset that bathed the hills in that wonderful end-of-day light.

Volcanic plug

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Entering the Chisos Mountains

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Granite peaks

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The basin where the campground is

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Hermit Thrush

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Gray Breasted Jay

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You can almost see the desert through the haze

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This reminded me of the Painted Desert of AZ

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Cactus flowers in the setting sun

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A beautiful end to the day

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angler Loc: StHelens England

Good set Auntie M.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Thanks Angler. Appreciate your comment.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Really enjoying the series, Auntie M!

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Me, too!!!!
Pat

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

I like the last 3, especially the flowers.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Thanks so much. I am glad you are having a good time - love having you along.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

I really like those too with the lighting. Here are a couple more taken at the same time of seed heads, and grasses in that gentle light.

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tbell7D Loc: Houston

Fascinating and beautiful set of images. I enjoyed seeing each one.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your comments. More to come..............

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Beautiful country and you are capturing all the wonder of it!

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Thank you so much for those comments. I am glad that my photos please you.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice vacation record photos.