American Beauty

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Details: Created on Thursday, 07 July 2011 16:22; Published on Thursday, 07 July 2011 16:22; Written by Abe Connally

This week, independence is in the air, as Forth of July celebrations ring across the country. For many dedicated Big Benders, that meant visiting our favorite National Park for some fireworks-free fun. Let’s look at some pictures and other goodies, just to remind us of how beautiful Big Bend really is.

The first items worthy of our mention spring from photography blogs invol Park_App ving Big Bend. For example, Michael Tuuk put up on his blog a very nice panorama of some of the park’s mountains in late afternoon. Notice how the sun’s rays piercing through the clouds and the shadows cast along the mountains to give them texture. The second stop is at Jeff Lunch’s blog, where he captures some very nice shots of Grapvine Hills. These rock formations are among the most interesting in Big Bend, and definitely worth checking out in person.

Want to learn more about Big Bend and other awesome parks? Try out the new FREE National Park Field Guides iPhone App! There you can find maps, pictures, and detailed information about 50 national parks. You can even know facts about prices and current conditions. Ah, the beauty of the technology!

If you look at today’s daily report, you’ll see that Window Trail is closed because of fire danger. In fact, the entire park is under a high fire danger. You’ll also be interested to know that in the extended forecast, there just might be some rain on the horizon! That’s good news indeed!

So, iPhone and iPad users, what are you waiting for? Get your free App to celebrate the birthday of a free nation. And learning about the National Parks in your area might convince you to visit one soon.

Plus, the Summer Discounts certainly don't hurt!

Worth a Thousand Words

There are some views you just can't take in all at once. Like a dazzling sunset or breathtaking field of wildflowers—you just can't appreciate such beauty in the moment, a moment that is often over before you realize it, the forms and colors of that marvelous vista already fading in your memory. Perhaps it was with the goal of preserving such scenes that the first camera was invented, a goal that you may still share when you visit a place as beautiful as Big Bend and the surrounding area. Why not take a look through our new and improved photo galleries to see what amazing sights have been preserved by astounded visitors and appreciative locals? When you see the mountains, plains, flora, and fauna displayed in those images, you'll be glad the gallery contributors took their camera along.

Birding in Big Bend

Among the many activities available in Big Bend National Park that highlight the region's diversity of wildlife, birding can be enjoyable and promising. Big Bend engulfs a vast area, bounded by the the rushing Rio Grande valley to the south, containing high peaks in the Chisos Mountains, and boasting both desert and forest climates between the two. It embodies the very diversity that makes America great, providing countless opportunities to spot more than 450 birds in one area.

Your Big Year is Here

What are your new year's resolutions for 2012? Did you keep your resolutions for 2011? While the top resolutions each year include losing weight, learning something new, traveling, or getting out of debt, here's a new challenge you can take on this year: spot all the bird species in Big Bend National Park.

Big Bend Video Collections

Big Bend has some of the most spectacular scenery in Texas, if not the entire US. Our big sky country rivals any other state and our night skies are as dark as anywhere for excellent star gazing. The beautiful light and great scenery make for a photographer’s paradise.

Trails and Wildlife

There are many things you may love to do in Big Bend National Park in the heat of summer, but running or jogging is probably not one of them. With 90+ degree temperatures, there simply is no such thing as a nice July run in West Texas. With the dry weather we've had this year, you have truly hostile workout conditions. That all changes this time of year, though, as temperatures drop and the sun gives us a break for a few months. What a great time to get out on some trails in Big Bend!

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