Big Bend National Park

Sally and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather forecast for West Texas and head out on a spur of the moment road trip. That is one of the preogatives of retirement. First stop was Big Bend National Park. Weather was winter perfect...20s at night and warming up to 60 during the day with clouds giving way to lots of sunshine. The animals seemed to be enjoying the nice weather.

Destination in the distance.... Chisos Mountains

It was just too cold to sit outside on the patio of Chisos Mountain Lodge

but that didn't stop us from enjoying a beautiful sunset.

I was lucky to get a lot of bird photos on this trip....here are some of my favorites.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our trip took us all over the park.  We hiked Rio Grande River Trail, Croton Springs Trail and Ernst Tinaja Canyon Trail and stopped to bird watch at Dugout Wells, Sam Nail Ranch and Rio Grande Village.

Ernst Tinaja Canyon

Tinaja

Tinaja (Basin)

 

Ernst Tinaja Canyon

Even in winter, when it rains, flowers bloom.

Coyote

 

Lechuguilla is the signature plant of the Chihuahua Desert.

Sierra del Carmen, Mexico in background

Adobe walls of Sam Nail ranch house