Big Bend
A Collection of Photographs
from Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park
and Black Gap Wildlife Management Area
December 2020
This late fall trip to Big Bend followed months of drought and that, along with the cold weather, precluded any decent wildflower photography. So, this was a trip for attempting some scenery shots and biking.
This was my first time in Big Bend in over a year because of Covid shutdowns. The park was very busy, something I had noticed in almost every other park that I’ve been in this fall. I even ran into fellow Austin photographers Lucas and Bruce while there.
The trip started with a couple nights in the Davis Mountains, an interesting place worthy of a trip in the spring.
Santa Elena Canyon
HDR 2-shot pano with long exposure taken near sunset.
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Santa Elena Canyon
HDR with long exposure taken near sunset.
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Mule Ears
Pano taken near sunset. In December the big hill to the west of Mule Ears does not block the sun as it does in the spring.
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Mule Ears
Pano taken as sun was almost gone. In December the big hill to the west of Mule Ears does not block the sun as it does in the spring.
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Cottonwoods
Pano near sundown along Ross Maxwell Rd.
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Badlands and Christmas Mtns
Pano near sundown along Hwy 118 near Maverick Rd.
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Chisos Basin Window
HDR taken near sundown.
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Chisos Basin Window
HDR taken near sundown.
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© Tom Lebsack 2025
Banner photo: Sierra del Carmen at sunset from overlook at Rio Grande Village