landscapes Sunrise in Big Bend N.P., Texas

I was standing in the mouth of Santa Elena Canyon when I took this.

The Chisos Mountains are on the horizon, and the water you see is

the Rio Grande River snaking out of the canyon. The US is on the

left, and Mexico is on the right. The plants that frame the shot are

called Ocotillo, and their wirey stalks are covered in hard spines.

I woke up really early at a backcountry campsite, quickly broke

camp, then made it to the canyon in time for sunrise. Hiking in the

dark was fun and the sunrise was definitely worth it! :-)