Big Bend
A Collection of Photographs
from Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park
April 2017
Members of our Austin photography group, Bruce, George, Terry and I, made the trip to Big Bend the first week in April.
I had two objectives for the trip: to get some Milky Way shots at different places in the area, and to add to my collection of wildflower species. We chose three places for Milky Way shots: Mule Ears, Cerro Castellan and some ruins in Big Bend Ranch State Park. We were shooting between moonset and sunrise, a window of a couple of hours. The Milky Way was low in the sky the first morning, almost horizontal, allowing some interesting shots.
The wildflower objective was met successfully with 13 new species added, and photos of several more existing species. Not bad for a year with very poor rainfall. Click here to view the recent photos. You can see my complete Big Bend wildflower collection here.
There was also plenty of time for scenery photos, especially Milky Way shots.
Hoo Doos and Rio Grande
Pano taken along Hwy 170, Big Bend Ranch State Park.
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Mule Ears Milky Way
With just a little light from a setting moon. ISO 1600, 20 seconds, f/2.8, 14 mm.
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Cerro Castellan Milky Way
With a bonus meteor. ISO 2000, 15 seconds, f/2.8, 14 mm.
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Cerro Castellan Dawn
From the dry wash on the northeast side.
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Ocotillo and Chisos Mtns
Sunset pano along Hwy 118.
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Ruins and Milky Way
Along Hwy 170 in Big Bend Ranch State Park. ISO 6400, 10 seconds, f/2.8, 14mm.
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Windmill and Milky Way
Along Hwy 170 in Big Bend Ranch State Park. ISO 2000, 20 seconds, f/2.8, 14mm.
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Rio Grande at Big Hill
Looking east along Hwy 170 in Big Bend Ranch State Park.
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© Tom Lebsack 2022
Banner photo: Sierra del Carmen at sunset from overlook at Rio Grande Village