2014-04 Big Bend National Park

Pitaya

Echiocereus enneacanthus

Dugout Wells, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 17, 2014

2014-04-17#1183

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Brown-spine Prickly Pear

Opuntia phaeacantha

Dugout Wells, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 17, 2014

2014-04-17#8960

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Blind Prickly Pear

Opuntia rufida

Dugout Wells, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 17, 2014

2014-04-17#8967

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Queen

Danaus gilippus

Dugout Wells, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 17, 2014

2014-04-17#1189

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Chisos Mountains

Dugout Wells, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 17, 2014

2014-04-17#8969

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Blind Prickly Pear

Opuntia rufida

Dugout Wells, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 17, 2014

2014-04-17#8971

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Lost Mine Peak

Basin Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 17, 2014

2014-04-17#8975

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Casa Grande

Basin Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 17, 2014

2014-04-17#8978

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Cactus Wrens

Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus - at nest.

Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 17, 2014

2014-04-17#1203

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Cactus Wrens

Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus - at nest.

Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 17, 2014

2014-04-17#1212

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Sunset

Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 17, 2014

2014-04-17#8984

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Chisos Mountains & Clouds

Thankfully, Debbie spotted this photo opportunity.

Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#8993

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Pink Prickly Poppy

Argemone chisosensis

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#8995

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White Prickly Poppy

Argemone albiflora texana

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9000

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Desert Willow

Chilopsis linearis

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9003

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Beaked Yucca

Yucca rostrata - with a bloom spike.

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9005

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Big Bend Dog Cholla

Grusonia densispina

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9008

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Scalloped Hillside

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9012

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Calcite Veins in Clay

The harder Calcite erodes more slowly than the clay, leaving this pattern.

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9020

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Pink Prickly Poppy

Argemone chisosensis

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9024

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Pink Prickly Poppy

Argemone chisosensis - with 4 bees.

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9027

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Mariscal Mine

Ruins of a Mercury mine.

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9033

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Dry Stack Rock House

Residence of some of the miners.

Mariscal Mine, River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9034

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Window View, Dry Stack Rock House

Looking toward the Chisos Mountains.

Mariscal Mine, River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9037

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Dry Stack Rock House

Mariscal Mine, River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9040

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Elephant Tusk

I used to backpack in the vicinity of the peak, but the road in is very difficult.

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9041

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Shrub Daisy

I haven't identified this flower.

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9044

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Shrub Daisy

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9045

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Bladder Sage

Salazaria mexicana

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9046

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Desert Marigold

Baileya multiradiata

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9047

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Johnson Ranch

The rounder river rocks don't stack as well.

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9052

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Red Dike

37 miles in on our drive.

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9054

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Lemon-scented Pectis

Pectis angustifolia

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9056

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Rio Grande

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9059

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Desert Willow

Chilopsis linearis

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9072

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River Road

An interesting drive with only a few spots where you can get stuck in sand or mud.

Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9073

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Southwest Cosmos

Cosmos parviflorus

River Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9076

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Clumped Dog Cholla

Grusonia aggeria

Old Maverick Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9079

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Luna's Jacal

Luna lived here to a very old age, fathered a large family and scrapped a living from this unforgiving landscape.

Old Maverick Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9082

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1928 Chevrolet

Chimney's Trail, Old Maverick Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9087

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1928 Chevrolet

I got the year and brand off the casting number on the engine block.

Chimney's Trail, Old Maverick Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9090

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Texas Rainbow Hedgehog

Echinocereus dasyacanthus

Chimney's Trail, Old Maverick Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9095

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Trail View

Chimney's Trail, Old Maverick Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9096

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Tule Mountain

Chimney's Trail, Old Maverick Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9102

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Texas Vervain

Verbena halei

Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9107

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Big Bend Bluebonnet

Lupinus havardii

Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9108

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Plains Black-foot

Melampodium leucanthum - Daisy.

Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9113

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Fendler's Bladderpod

Lesquerella fendleri

Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9116

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Phlox

Lost Mine Trail, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#1230

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Wine Glasses & Sunset, Chisos Basin, Big Bend NP, TX

The view from our porch.

Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9120

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Sunset

Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 18, 2014

2014-04-18#9124

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Ocotillo

Fouquieria splendens

Pine Canyon Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9129

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Pummel Peak

Pine Canyon Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9132

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Fendler's Bladderpod

Lesquerella fendleri

Pine Canyon Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9134

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Layer Hill

Pine Canyon Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9137

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Lost Mine Peak

Pine Canyon Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9139

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Pine Canyon Trail

A 2 mile hike from here goes to a lush canyon and ends at the base of a 200 foot tall pour-off.

Pine Canyon Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9141

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Parry's Agave

Agave parryi parryi

Pine Canyon Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9143

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Firecracker Bush

Bouvardia ternifolia

Pine Canyon Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9144

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White Prickly Poppy

Argemone albiflora texana

Pine Canyon Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9150

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Dakota Vervain

Glandularia bipinnatifida

Pine Canyon Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9152

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Tree Cholla

Opuntia imbricata arborescens

Glenn Spring Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9165

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Mountains & Cylindropuntia imbricata

Mountains & Tree Cholla

Glenn Spring Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9175

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South Rim & Juniper Canyon Trail

This 6.2 mile trail joins trails in the basin.

Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9184

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Juniper Canyon Trail Panorama

Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#0704

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Glenn Draw

The beginning of the rocky watercourse.

Glenn Spring Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9195

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Ocotillo

Fouquieria splendens

Glenn Spring Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9202

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Cottonwood Trees

Populus fremontii - these thirsty trees indicate water at or near the surface.

Glenn Spring Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9204

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Colorful Clay

Glenn Spring Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9207

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Colorful Clay

Glenn Spring Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9212

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Sediment Layers

Glenn Spring Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9215

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Blind Prickly Pear & Ocotillo

Opuntia rufida & Fouquieria splendens

Main Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9223

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Nugent Mountain

Main Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9225

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Mountain

Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9226

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Debbie

Cattail Falls Trail, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9232

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Trees

A bit of water year-round provides for trees.

Cattail Falls Trail, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9235

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Longspur Columbine & Southern Maidenhair Fern

Aquilegia longissima & Adiantum capillus-veneris

Cattail Falls, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9237

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Cattail Falls

Just a trickle of water this time.

Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9240

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Eastern Fence Lizard

Sceloporus undulatus - showing its bright belly.

Cattail Falls, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9246

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Giant Helleborine

Epipactis gigantea - finding this  orchid was a real treat for me.

Cattail Falls, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9248

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Giant Helleborine

Epipactis gigantea - if there had not been flowers, I might have missed this orchid.

Cattail Falls, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9252

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Longspur Columbine

Aquilegia longissima

Cattail Falls, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9254

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Rain Cloud

We saw this coming, suspecting a bit of rain.

Cattail Falls Trail, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9256

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Cattail Wash

A lot of water over a long time carved this wash.

Cattail Falls Trail, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9259

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Shindaggers

Agave lechuguilla

Cattail Falls Trail, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#9266

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Cattail Falls Trail Panorama

Rain in the desert turned to sleet in the Chisos Basin.

Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#0712

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Feather Dalea after Rain

Dalea formosa - moist from an evening sleet/hail event.

Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#0716

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Colima Warbler

Oreothlypis crissalis

Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 19, 2014

2014-04-19#1244

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Juan de Leon Grave

Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#9285

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Candelilla

Euphorbia antisyphilitica - was harvested almost to extinction for its high grade wax.

Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#9286

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Greater Earless Lizard

Cophosaurus texanus

Ernst Tinaja, Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#9292

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Rock Nettle

Eucnide bartonioides

Ernst Tinaja, Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#9300

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Ernst Tinaja

When water level is low in the tinaja, animals have fallen in and drowned.

Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#9304

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Ernst Tinaja

Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#9305

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Tornillo Creek Area

Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#9313

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Debbie & Truck

4 wheel drive is recommended and can be useful on parts of this road.

Tornillo Creek Area, Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#9315

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Blind Prickly Pear

Opuntia rufida

Tornillo Creek Area, Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#9316

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Texas False Agave

Hechtia texensis - related to Pineapple and other bromeliads.

Tornillo Creek Area, Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#9317

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Resurrection Plant

Selaginella lepidophylla

Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#9319

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Living Rock Cactus

Ariocarpus fissuratus fissuratus - this 6 inch specimen is probably 100 years old according to my reading.

Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#9320

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Alto Relex

Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#9321

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Alto Relex Panorama

Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#0718

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McKinney Ranch

Ruins of the not so large house.

Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#9328

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Black Peaks Area

Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#9329

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Black Peaks Panorama

Old Ore Road, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#0719

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Carmen Mountains Whitetail Deer

Odocoileus virginianus - grazing near our room on our last morning of the trip.

Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 20, 2014

2014-04-20#7927

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