A Picture is Worth a Thousand Trails

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A Picture is Worth a Thousand Trails

Details: Created on Tuesday, 18 January 2011 18:52; Published on Tuesday, 18 January 2011 18:52; Written by Abe Connally

The weather forecast shows some beautiful days on the horizon—great conditions for a hike! Beautiful days also mean opportunities for beautiful pictures. Earlier this month, Diana Robinson, a great photographer, passed through Big Bend and took some very nice pictures for her blog. The first of two photos shows one of many intriguing and beautiful rock formations. The second photo she posted is of star trails in the night sky. This breathtaking image displays the starry swirls in such a way that they almost look like a portal to another world.

agave_students You may also wish to capture some of Big Bend’s beauty, whether for your personal collection or for the Big Bend Flickr Pool. However, hiking with your camera can be more difficult than expected. When looking for a good hiking camera, here are a few points you’ll want to keep in mind:

Weight. Any camera would work for short walks, but in longer hikes you’ll want to reduce the weight as much as possible. Some cameras can weigh as little as 5 oz. without sacrificing quality.
Waterproof. Texas weather is notoriously unpredictable. Rain clouds can appear without warning, and having a waterproof camera can be very a lifesaver. In addition, you may want to take underwater pics. Some cameras can be waterproofed up to 10 or even 30 meters below the surface.
Image Stabilization (IS). Some cameras require you to be absolutely still, which may not be so practical when you’re halfway up a steep incline and heavily winded. A camera with good IS will prove quite helpful.
Price. Finding a camera that meets all of these standards is possible. Finding the perfect hiking camera that’ll fit within your budget may not be so easy. It’s good to have a price range in mind before you start shopping.

Once you have the photographical equipment you need, the next step is to get out there and start taking pictures! How can you capture beautiful, magazine-quality images while camping in Big Bend or any other natural location? Don’t expect perfection the first time. The key is patience, and a little bit of luck. That is especially true when trying to capture wildlife.

Photography Inspiration

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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