Alas, there were no clear skies for us in Big Bend National Park. Friday dawned windy and overcast. Our dreams of stargazing and star/Milky Way photography had to be put on hold.
We headed back to Persimmon Gap, our entry point into the park and took one last slightly off-road trail. Definitely flurried lightly and we saw many more frozen desert plants.
The weather pretty much went downhill from there. We were plagued by ice and sleet for the vast majority of the drive to El Paso. Made for pretty scenery but crappy driving. (Thank you, L, for driving in that mess)
Skies didn't clear until we got into El Paso proper. Ah well, Another trip should be on the books to try for those famous skies - Big Bend is one of the darkest sky rated parks.
But to leave things on a high and pretty note, let me leave you with all the stuff we found blooming and alive in the winter desert.
Cacti:
Cholla:
Spiky, unknown plants:
Fruit-bearing cacti:
Pink/Purple flowers:
Yellow flowers:
Brown-ish:
Blooming:
And white flowers:
This trip was definitely worth the winter chill... and I look forward to revisiting some of these places in slightly warmer weather and with clearer skies!
2 comments:
There is just something so beautiful about those muted desert colors. Especially the purples, which I know you've also noted!
Truth! I was very pleased to find so much in bloom and so pretty!
Of COURSE I noticed the purples. :)
Post a Comment