Tag: adventures outdoors

Desert to Snow to Gypsum Sand

Desert to Snow to Gypsum Sand

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.

Desert to Snow to Gypsum Sand

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.

From Desert to Snow to Sand
Desert to Snow to Gypsum Sand

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.

From Desert to Snow to Sand

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

The Rubies are Back

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.

The Rubies are Back

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

The Rubies are Back

Sandra J

The Light of the Nights

The Light of the Nights

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.

bright moon in the sky

The Light of the Nights

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sandra J

Flower Art with a Flashlight

Flower Art with a Flashlight

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. 🙂

Flower Art with a Flashlight
Flower Art with a Flashlight

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

Flower Art with a Flashlight

Sandra J

Downtown El Paso Texas

Downtown El Paso Texas

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.

Downtown El Paso Texas

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

Downtown El Paso Texas

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

Tree Frog Bird Frog or Just a Frog

Tree Frog Bird Frog or Just a Frog

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.

Tree Frog Bird Frog or Just a Frog

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

Texas is Big Sky Country

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

Texas is Big Sky Country

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

lake superior
Texas is Big Sky Country

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

Birds and Bunnies in Soft Light

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.

Birds and Bunnies in Soft Light

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

Birds and Bunnies in Soft Light
Birds and Bunnies in Soft Light

Birds and Bunnies in Soft Light

Sandra J

Franklin Mountain State Park

Franklin Mountain State Park

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.

Franklin Mountain State Park

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.

Franklin Mountain State Park

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

Franklin Mountain State Park

Sandra J

Wild Horses in Big Bend

Wild Horses in Big Bend

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.

Wild Horses in Big Bend

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.

Wild Horses in Big Bend

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.

Wild Horses in Big Bend

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

Its the Simple Things

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)

Its the Simple Things

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.

Its the Simple Things

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

Why is it Called Big Bend

Why is it Called Big Bend

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
Why is it Called Big Bend

Why is it Called Big Bend

Sandra J

Chisos Basin is Next on the List

Chisos Basin is Next on the List

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.

Chisos Basin is Next on the List

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.

Chisos Basin is Next on the List

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

Ernst Tinaja in Big Bend

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. 

Ernst Tinaja in Big Bend

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
Ernst Tinaja in Big Bend

Ernst Tinaja in Big Bend

Sandra J

The Most Scenic Areas at Big Bend

The Most Scenic Areas at Big Bend

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 RiverTexas 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 Most Scenic Areas at Big Bend

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

Big Bend National Park

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

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.

Big Bend National Park

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.

Big Bend National Park

Have a wonderful weekend.

Big Bend National Park

Sandra J

A New Hummingbird From Washington

A New Hummingbird From Washington

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.

A New Hummingbird From Washington

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

A New Hummingbird From Washington

Sandra J

Evening Rains

Evening Rains

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
Evening Rains

Evening Rains

Sandra J

My Dear Those Ears Deer

My Dear Those Ears Deer

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

Yaak Montana Deer #shorts

New Mexico Deer

My Dear Those Ears Deer

Iowa Deer

My Dear Those Ears Deer

Baby Deer

baby deer

My Dear Those Ears Deer

Sandra J

We Made it Home

We Made it Home

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.

We Made it Home

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

We Made it Home

We Made it Home

We Made it Home

Have a Wonderful Weekend

Sandra J

The Enchanted Highway

The Enchanted Highway

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).
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.

The Enchanted Highway

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.

The Enchanted Highway

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

Spring Birds

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

Spring Birds

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

Spring Birds

Spring Birds

Sandra J

The Pileated Woodpecker

The Pileated Woodpecker

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

The Yaak River in Montana

The Yaak River in Montana

The Yaak River in Montana, we are eastward bound, leaving the great state of Montana. We will be traveling on Interstate 90 and today we are under a winter storm watch here in Montana. They have been getting a lot of rain and snow this year.

The Yaak River in Montana

The interstate runs all along the Yellowstone river and if you have not heard, the Yellowstone river is flooding. They actually had to close Yellowstone National Park because the river has washed out the roads in the park. So I hope the road we are traveling on won’t be washed out either.

Montana – Big sky country.

The Yaak River in Montana

The Yaak River in Montana

Sandra J

Spring is in the Air

Spring is in the Air

Spring is in the Air, the sun shine really brings out the colors to some of our song birds. Where in the shade they may look like plain old black birds. But when the Sun shines, the vibrant colors do as well.

I think this one is checking out his toe nails, might be wanting a little pedicure. 🙂

Spring is in the Air
Spring is in the Air

Spring is in the Air

Sandra J

Colorful World With Ducks

Colorful World With Ducks

Colorful World With Ducks, nothing more colorful then ducks in the spring. I am not sure what is up with these ducks that look like they are wearing top hats. But the vibrant green colors are always so beautiful in the spring.

Here is a fun little video of these ducks swimming at this natural spring pond. Called; Synchronized Diving

Colorful World With Ducks
Colorful World With Ducks
Colorful World With Ducks
Colorful World With Ducks

Colorful World With Ducks

Sandra J

Pecos River New Mexico & Texas

Pecos River New Mexico & Texas

Pecos River New Mexico & Texas The Pecos River, one of the major tributaries of the Rio Grande, runs through New Mexico and Texas before it empties into the Rio Grande near Del Rio Texas. The river flows out of the Pecos Wilderness, through rugged granite canyons and waterfalls, and passes small, high-mountain meadows along its 926-mile journey

The Pecos has figured in many tall tales over the years. Fans of frontier lore have heard the phrase “West of the Pecos,” is the region where the Wild West is said to have begun.

Bike Ride to the Rio Grande Video Here; Rio Grande River

Pecos River, New Mexico & Texas

These two photos below are not mine, I found them on the internet to show how high the water used to be here on the Pecos river. This area was very popular with boating a few years back, big boats used to travel down this river.

But today, you might only be able to get a canoe down parts of the river, I will show you what it looks like and who occupies the canyon floor now in the animal kingdom world tomorrow.

Pecos River, New Mexico & Texas
Pecos River, New Mexico & Texas

Pecos River New Mexico & Texas

Sandra J