Into the Light Adventures

Cloud Croft New Mexico, I don’t know about you but when I look at photos of snow like these, I can almost feel the cold air, even when it is hot outside now in July. This is the only moisture we saw during our month visiting Texas and New Mexico area back in March.

Established as a vacation getaway and logging town in the late 1890s by the developers of the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad, tiny Cloudcroft (pop. 688) sits in the heart of the Sacramento Mountains at nearly 8,700 feet above sea level. The railroad chugged away in the late 1940s, but this easygoing village, with its unpretentious Western vibe, continues to draw tourists from all around the country.

Cloudcroft Trestle Bridge

The trestle was regularly used and maintained by the railroad until about 1947, when the line was abandoned. By the 1980s, a dip had formed in the center of the trestle, and Lincoln National Forest personnel had become concerned about its condition.

The trestle was built in 1899 as a part of the A&SM’s efforts to access timber in the forest, and after that, the line was used for nearly half a century to transport tourists to Cloudcroft, the picturesque little village located nearby. At 8,675-feet in elevation, Cloudcroft is among the highest-elevation communities in the United States—hence, the numerous references to the clouds.

Cloud Croft New Mexico

Sandra J

Desert to Snow to Gypsum Sand

By Sandra | July 26, 2022

Desert to Snow to Gypsum Sand, all within 100 miles of each other near El Paso Texas. I have never seen anything like this, all in one area. When we were camping at Franklin Mountains by El Paso back in March, we had one day that had sleet and snow.

Video Link to a short clip of Snow and Sand; Snow to Sand

From Desert to Snow to Sand freanklin mountains tx

It was March 22nd, so the next day we figured it was a good day to drive up to Cloudcroft New Mexico, about 112 miles NE from where we were camping, to an elevation of 9000 ft.

From the warm desert to this beautiful scenery high in the mountains, was a welcome sight. We were traveling last winter to avoid snow. But I sure liked seeing this snow when we got up there.

This photo below is from the top of Cloudcroft looking towards the White Sands National Park in the distance.

But, after the cold and snow we were ready to head back to warmer weather and drove back down the mountain and headed SW to White Sands National Park where it immediately went back to 80 deg weather. With the most beautiful white sand dunes every where.

Situated in the Tularosa Basin, between Alamogordo (northeast) and Las Cruces (southwest), the White Sands National Monument is a vast, natural playground of brilliant particles that reflect the sun – making the crystals shine “white” to the human gaze.

I will have more photos this week of these two areas. A must see if you are ever visiting Texas and New Mexico.

Desert to Snow to Gypsum Sand

Sandra J

The Rubies are Back

By Sandra | July 25, 2022

The Rubies are Back, now I am still posting photos from our trip around the states from this last winter. But we are home now so I have to throw in some photos from here, like my favorite little Ruby Throated Hummingbirds that visit my flowers here every summer.

They are hard to photograph, they are constantly chasing each other.

On occasion I can find them sitting almost still on my garden fence. But the camera still has to be set at a very high shutter speed to get a glance at those wings that move so fast.

The Rubies are Back

Sandra J

The Light of the Nights

By Sandra | July 22, 2022

The Light of the Nights When we accept that there is only One Father, we have no ethnicity to any group. By that we are different just by the virtue we accepted one thought, One Father, One Creator One Creation

Time Lapse Video from Day to Evening to Lighting Storm at Night; Time Lapse Clouds

In whatever condition each was called, there let them remain with the Father

While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened.

Life is a teaching experience we are either taught or we mimic back.

The Light of the Nights

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sandra J

Flower Art with a Flashlight

By Sandra | July 21, 2022

Flower Art with a Flashlight, there are some beautiful wild flowers growing around our place this summer. So I was feeling a little artsy today and decided to try something new.

I picked this one flower and put it in a vase and brought it inside. Grabbed a flashlight and pointed it directly at the flower and if you hold the light close enough it will create a dark background as well.

Light always brings out the details of any object and lets you see the extraordinary creation in front of you so much clearer. 🙂

But, my cat decided to get in on the photo shoot. She stuck her nose in just as I clicked the shutter button. She is good for wanting to be up front and getting more attention from me.

Flower Art with a Flashlight

Sandra J

Downtown El Paso Texas

By Sandra | July 20, 2022

Downtown El Paso Texas, we do not go into big cities very often. But we were camping here for 2 weeks and had to run in for supplies so decided to go down town and walk around a bit. I do love architecture as well and taking photos of buildings when I see some I like.

I like the older ones that have been restored or just kept up nice.

This is an overlook area facing south looking over the city of El Paso, everyday there was a bit of a haze over the city. Somedays we could not see the mountains in the background at all.

Downtown El Paso Texas

Sandra J

Songs and Sounds of Desert Birds

By Sandra | July 19, 2022

Songs and Sounds of Desert Birds, I just posted a video on my you tube channel highlighting all these wonderful birds and the sounds they make. The bird one hears the most is the White Winged Dove, but the most interesting one I think is the Gambel’s Quail.

Link to; Songs and Sounds of Desert Birds

Scale Quails

Gambel’s Quail

Desert Cardinal

Curved Billed Thrasher

White Winged Dove

Songs and Sounds of Desert Birds

Sandra J

Tree Frog Bird Frog or Just a Frog

By Sandra | July 18, 2022

Tree Frog Bird Frog or Just a Frog, it is extremely hot here today and I was out walking along the tree line and I looked up at a bird house on a tree. I had to squint a bit as I saw something in the entrance hole of this bird house.

I wasn’t quite sure, so I went and got my camera and sure enough it is a frog sitting in a bird house. Well, if the birds don’t want it, I guess the frog can make it his home. He definitely has a great view from way up there.

I don’t know what kind of frog it is, if any one knows please leave a comment below.

I took a picture of this frog below down by the water.

Tree Frog Bird Frog or Just a Frog

Sandra J

Texas is Big Sky Country

By Sandra | July 15, 2022

Texas is Big Sky Country, well they say Montana is Big Sky also, but Texas can give it a run for its money on that title. I think anywhere that is pretty flat when you can see the horizon can be considered big sky.

Video of Birds at Franklin Mountains State park

This photo below is Lake Superior in the winter, lots of sky here as well.

There is a bird blind at Franklin State Park, this is where I discovered the Desert Cardinal below.

The Curved Billed Thrasher

And the elegant White Winged Dove

Texas is Big Sky Country

Sandra J

Birds and Bunnies in Soft Light

By Sandra | July 14, 2022

Birds and Bunnies in Soft Light, what is soft light you might ask? Well it is considered to be diffused light, which I have the best luck finding in the early morning hours of a day. But you can always use the shade of a tree or the soft shadows of any structure.

One doesn’t always have a chance to place our wildlife in the right lighting for that, so the rule of thumb, depending on where you live of course, is to not photograph between 11am and 2pm. That is usually when the sun is straight over head and it is like shinning a giant flashlight right on your subject.

So for me, early morning is my favorite time of day to photograph outdoors..

Birds and Bunnies in Soft Light

Sandra J

Franklin Mountain State Park

By Sandra | July 13, 2022

Franklin Mountain State Park, our next stop as we travelled this past winter. A beautiful state park just north of El Paso Texas. We were here once before when my husbands son was stationed here for the Air Force.

So as we are traveling west we decided to stop here again. The park itself is a great place to camp, it is dry camping here, meaning they do not have water or electrical hookups. When I went to check in, I told the ranger we will be here for 2 weeks. He said, ” What?”, no one usually stays that long. 🙂

We have learned to become pretty resourceful with water and as long as the sun comes out, we have electricity or use the generator.

They have wonderful hiking trails here and when you get to the top of any of the mountains around the park the view is spectacular.

The photo below is the campground, it only has 5 sites. I would like to go back when the flowers are in bloom, they were just starting to come out when we were there.

Franklin Mountain State Park

Sandra J

Wild Horses in Big Bend

By Sandra | July 12, 2022

Wild Horses in Big Bend, now I am not positive these are wild horses but they were out in the middle of no where with no fences or anything. What I find fascinating about this first photo, is that the horse in the back ground, which I am pretty sure it is a mule, looks gigantic compared to the horse in the for ground.

This is the last of the photos from Big Bend National park. It was quite the trip, I had never heard of this place until we went to it. I am glad we had the chance to visit and be a part of a landscape that seems like time forgot.

Smaller horses are probably ideal for desert life. Mules are even better, they are a cross between a male donkey and a female horse. I grew up with horses so I still have a love for them and enjoy being around them when I can.

Below we were wandering down by the Rio Grande river when this gentleman came around the corner to let his pony get a drink of water.

My brother and his wife have had mules for years, when I was visiting them this year I took a few photos of both of their mules and created a frame around them so they would have something to hang on their walls. A nice portrait, which took quite a few photos to get them to look up with their ears forward.

Beautiful animals with the sweetest eyes.

The eyes can tell a story all on their own, right now you can see my camera and I in the reflection of Mac’s eye. 🙂

Wild Horses in Big Bend

Sandra J

Its the Simple Things

By Sandra | July 11, 2022

Its the Simple Things that make me smile the most. Like this first photo, I did not have the camera prepared for this shot, but this little hummingbird showed up out of the blue and I just clicked away. Capturing a bit of light illuminating its beautiful colors.

Life can be a long bumpy road at times, but a journey worth taking, as it is a gift. The idea that any of us are here at all is worth thinking about. The true miracle of birth is something that I think about often, for I have never had children of my own. But, when you stop and remember how we are even here, that we all started from a tiny little cell.

(Video Below; A Moment in Time)

That everything around us started from something so small, microscopic in some cases, birds, flowers.

Yet as a gift, we only have it for a short time. What we do with this gift is a journey we are all on.

So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

Thank you to Garfieldhugs blog, someone who makes me and others smile with the simple things in life.

Life is but a Moment in Time

Desert Clouds Time Lapse, A Moment in Time

Its the Simple Things

Sandra J

Sunrise to Night Time

By Sandra | July 8, 2022

Sunrise to Night Time in the Desert

Have a Wonderful Weekend

Sunrise to Night Time

Sandra J

Why is it Called Big Bend

By Sandra | July 7, 2022

Why is it Called Big Bend, The region was named Big Bend for the drastic change in course of the river from a southeastern to a northeastern flow. As the Rio Grande flows through the Chihuahuan Desert, it carves not only majestic canyons, but also a political boundary.

4 Most popular places to see in Big Bend Video here; 4 Most Popular Places in Big Bend

Big Bend includes massive canyons, vast desert expanses, forested mountains, and an ever-changing river. Here you can explore one of the last remaining wild corners of the United States.

Why is it Called Big Bend

Sandra J

Chisos Basin is Next on the List

By Sandra | July 6, 2022

Chisos Basin is Next on the List, The Chisos Basin Campground is nestled in an open woodland within a scenic mountain basin. Campers enjoy the iconic views of Casa Grande and Emory Peak. The sunset through the nearby “Window” is a Big Bend highlight. Some of the park’s most popular trails begin nearby. Elevation is 5,400 feet.

Video of Top 4 places to visit in Big Bend Here; Top 4 Places to Visit in Big Bend

This area here was quite a surprise. We were camping down below at 1800 ft. elevation and it was very hot down there. We begin the drive up to the Chisos Basin and the temperature cooled off right away and the landscape was completely different.

Pine trees and lush green grasses and signs everywhere that this is the home to mountain lions and bear. Obviously they like the higher elevation as well.

So, Big Bend has such a variety of landscapes, wildlife and activity. I highly recommend this place if you have not been here.

These are the top three places people like to see, Chisos Basin, Santa Elena Canyon and Ernst Tinaja. But there is so much more to this 800,000 acre park that one will never see all of it in one visit. I have more photos coming up of this beautiful place to come.

Chisos Basin is Next on the List

Sandra J

Ernst Tinaja in Big Bend

By Sandra | July 5, 2022

Ernst Tinaja in Big Bend, now this spot here was a fun road to travel on just to get to this area. It was highly recommended to have a high clearance vehicle and I will be having a video soon that shows the off roading here in Big Bend National Park.

Part 1 Big Bend Video Link Here; Big Bend National Park, 4 Campgrounds

Once you get to the end of this long, bumpy dirt road, it is about a mile hike to reach this beautiful area named Ernst Tinaja.

This popular feature at the mouth of a limestone canyon is noted for three things: vibrant orange swirling striations in the rocks, fossils of giant oysters, and the Ernst Tinaja itself – a 13-foot natural rock pool. The word tinaja (pronounced “tin-AH-ha”) is Spanish for “large earthen jar” and in Big Bend refers to natural water holes, usually formed by erosion.

You don’t want to hike down here if there is any chance of rain, because it floods very quickly and you would be trapped in here. Luckily in March it was completely dry and you can walk all the way through the canyon.

The rock formations are so unique and beautiful, very picturesque.

Ernst Tinaja in Big Bend

Sandra J

The Most Scenic Areas at Big Bend

By Sandra | July 4, 2022

The Most Scenic Areas at Big Bend, When you enter Big Bend National Park they give you a map and a guide of the most scenic areas to visit in the park. You can visit all these areas in one day by vehicle, they have a loop that travels around the park to each one of these spots. Make sure to go early because this first one draws a crowd.

It is Santa Elena Canyon, an experience of nature that is beyond ones imagination and a photographer’s dream to photograph in the right conditions.

This narrow canyon is cut by the Rio Grande River. Texas is on the right side of the picture and Mexico on the left. Here the Rio Grande separates the limestone outcrops of the Mesa de Anquila, on the Texas side, from the Sierra Ponce, on the Mexican side. In places, the canyon walls tower 1,500 ft (457 m) above the river.

The photos do not do the canyon walls justice, if I was standing next to the wall in this photo I would look like a speck of dust.

Santa Elena Canyon is 8 miles (13km) long and 1,500 feet (450 m) deep. In some places the canyon walls are only 30 feet (9 meters) wide. The Rio Grande established its present course on basin-filling sediments that covered the rocks and faults we see exposed today. The river eroded through the surface layers and cut steep-sided canyons in the more resistant Lower Cretaceous limestones.

Today you can see those ancient limestone formations exposed in the canyon walls. A popular way to explore the length of Santa Elena Canyon is on a two or three-day river rafting trip that begins in the town of Lajitas,

The Most Scenic Areas at Big Bend

Sandra J

Big Bend National Park

By Sandra | July 1, 2022

Big Bend National Park, getting back to our travels through Texas. Now I had never even heard of Big Bend National park until this past winter when someone mentioned we should visit there as we drove along the southern border of Texas.

So we looked it up and made reservations for the first of March this past winter. One has to reserve early because this park is full all the time. We were able to book 11 days at their largest campground and I have to say the terrain of this part of Texas is just breathtaking.

Here is the link to my video if you want to see all the campgrounds that are available to use in this park and some of the wildlife and landscapes; Big Bend National Park

The largest campground is Rio Grande Village campground sitting at 1800 ft. elevation. So it get pretty warm down there even in March. We had a couple days in the 100 degrees and where we were at you can not use generators for your air conditioning. We had to go for a drive in the Jeep just to stay cool, but only a couple of days.

Then the highest elevation is Chisos Basin, a world onto itself. Completely different with lots of trees and green grass and much cooler temperatures sitting at 5400 ft. elevation.

Big Bend spans over 800,000 acres. I will be showing more of the beautiful landscapes in the next few post.

Wildlife at the campground consist of Javelinas, shown below. They would just wonder by all the campers munching on the grass.

One morning we woke to the sound of cows mooing, as a small heard was enjoying the green grass as well as they passed through the campground.

You can also find this little beauty of a bird here, the Vermillion Flycatcher, there were quite a few of them as the park would flood the center of the park, using water from the Rio Grande River. It kept the trees green and the grass, hence the wild life and birds enjoying this park as well.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Big Bend National Park

Sandra J

A New Hummingbird From Washington

By Sandra | June 30, 2022

A New Hummingbird From Washington, Well I finally photographed a new hummingbird. I have only ever seen one species of hummingbird and that is the Ruby Throated. We just happened across another nature preserve in Washington when we were there and found two new birds, no 3 new ones, including this hummingbird. Bird count is 152.

One of the feistiest hummingbird in North America. The brilliant orange male and the green-and-orange female Rufous Hummingbird are relentless attackers at flowers and feeders, going after (if not always defeating) even the large hummingbirds of the Southwest, which can be double their weight.

Rufous Hummingbirds are wide-ranging, and breed farther north than any other hummingbird. Look for them in spring in California, summer in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, and fall in the Rocky Mountains as they make their annual circuit of the West.

A New Hummingbird From Washington

Sandra J

Natures Bounty with Wild Flowers

By Sandra | June 29, 2022

Natures Bounty with Wild Flowers

Natures Bounty with Wild Flowers

Sandra J

Evening Rains

By Sandra | June 28, 2022

Evening Rains, last nights storms brought 2 inches of rain that was very much needed in my area. As the rain stopped late into the evening, the sky turned to a beautiful pink and blue and my one flowering plant that survived the winter was in full bloom as the sun begin to set.

Evening Rains

Sandra J

My Dear Those Ears Deer

By Sandra | June 27, 2022

My Dear Those Ears Deer, Better to hear me with those big ears as I point the camera towards them to get their attention.

Michigan Deer

Montana Deer

New Mexico Deer

Iowa Deer

Baby Deer

My Dear Those Ears Deer

Sandra J

We Made it Home

By Sandra | June 24, 2022

We Made it Home, what a journey it has been for us and so many others this past year. I still have plenty of photos to share of all the beautiful states we travelled in.

The thing I remember the most from the past 10 months is all the wonderful people we met along the way. Folks who would just stop by and say hello, who would share their travels and give advice on places to see. For the most part, I remember all the smiles from others, even though so much is going on in the world around us, it never stopped folks from just living.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps

We Made it Home

Have a Wonderful Weekend

Sandra J

The Enchanted Highway

By Sandra | June 23, 2022

The Enchanted Highway, we travelled along Interstate 94 into the Dakotas, which by the way the blue sky’s and lush green prairie grass fields are picturesque all on their own.

But, all of a sudden large pieces of art work started to appear on the sides of the road.

Thirty-two miles south of the nearest major highway is the town of Regent, North Dakota. It was dying, and Gary Greff decided that someone had to do something about it.

Gary Greff and Geese In Flight (2003).

Inspired, he later said, by the 1989 movie Field of Dreams, and its misremembered catchphrase “Build it, and they will come,” Gary began building giant artworks to entice travelers off of the interstate and into town.

A metal sculptor and retired Regent schoolteacher, Gary’s plan was to create ten huge sculptures, paired with pullouts and picnic areas, every few miles along Regency-Gladstone Road — which he christened The Enchanted Highway. All of the sculptures would face north, toward the oncoming traffic from Interstate 94.

I took these photos from inside the RV, looking out a windshield that was covered with bugs. I had to photoshop the bugs out of the photos. 🙂 I think it is pretty impressive when someone can create art of any type but to make sculptures as big as these is pretty cool.

The Enchanted Highway

Sandra J

Spring Birds

By Sandra | June 22, 2022

Spring Birds, I am seeing a lot of Orioles this year, I believe this one below is a female oriole. Not sure which one, there are a few different species of them.

All About Bird Blind video here; Bird Blinds at Campgrounds

Along with, the red winged black birds are back and the robins are enjoying the spring time weather all over the country.

Spring Birds

Sandra J

The Pileated Woodpecker

By Sandra | June 21, 2022

The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the biggest, most striking forest birds on the continent. It’s nearly the size of a crow, black with bold white stripes down the neck and a flaming-red crest.

Look (and listen) for Pileated Woodpeckers whacking at dead trees and fallen logs in search of their main prey, carpenter ants, leaving unique rectangular holes in the wood. The nest holes these birds make offer crucial shelter to many species including swifts, owls, ducks, bats, and pine martens.

I found this one in Montana 🙂

The Pileated Woodpecker

Sandra J

Dark Sky’s of Texas

By Sandra | June 20, 2022

Dark Sky’s of Texas, there are a lot of areas in North America that are still considered dark sky areas. Meaning no light noise from cities, where you can see the stars clearly at night. Texas has quite a few of these places all along the southern edge.

I have to say, we have been meeting some amazing folks on this journey this year. The most memorable place so far is Marathon Texas. Our first place we camped at where astrophotographer’s come together with the most beautiful telescopic equipment I have ever seen. This is my first time ever hearing of this type of equipment and seeing how it works is very exciting to say the least.

This photo below is one of the telescopes I am talking about, we met a young man at this campground and started talking about dark sky’s and photography and he asked us if we have ever seen astrophotography equipment. No, we said. He said come with me and I will show you what it does.

This is his telescopic equipment. He was kind enough to explain the entire thing, how this scope is connected to his laptop and he programs what he wants it to do and the scope will follow what ever nebula he is trying to photograph for hours at night. They have cement pads on the ground for these scopes so there isn’t any motion blur when filming.

My video of Marathon Texas, a peak at an old west town. Here; Marathon Texas

He asked what kind of camera I had, I told him a Nikon. He said bring it over tonight and he will put my camera on the telescope and take some photos. This is the first shot he took with my camera connected.

This is, the Orion Nebula, it is the nearest star-forming region to Earth, located approximately 1,350 light-years away. Just amazing to see something like this photographed right in front of us.

Now, I don’t have the right editing software to edit a clear shot of this nebula. Like the photo below, this is the Orion Nebula as well that I copied from the internet taken with more precise equipment. There are people from all over the country that set their scopes up here and have them in locked building who can control them from their homes in other states.

Some of these professional photos like below, need a least a 3 hour timed exposure or more.

Below are two gentlemen that have a place right here in Marathon Texas and the equipment they use, in a building with a retractable roof that they can operate from home. Here is the link for more on this; Space for Everybody