Lens-Artists Challenge #387: Shadowed
Instead of diving into my archives for John’s creative Shadowed challenge, I am using photos I captured just last week while visiting Big Bend Ranch State Park (not to be confused with Big Bend National Park). John’s opening sentence clearly defines what I saw at Big Bend Ranch. He wrote, “Shadows evoke mystery, wonder, nostalgia, and even a touch of fright.” In the rugged expanse of Big Bend Ranch State Park, the sun is a sculptor. It carves deep, cool shadows into the canyons of Cinco Tinajas, as seen above. The light doesn’t just fall; it fights its way down into the canyon, reflecting off hidden pools while leaving the jagged walls in a moody, obsidian embrace. It evokes mystery around the bend.
Big Bend Ranch, Texas’s largest state park, covers 485 square miles (1,256 square km) of canyons and remote mountains in a breathtaking landscape in the rugged Chihuahuan Desert along the Rio Grande on the border of Mexico. The park has archaeological evidence from Native Americans who inhabited the area, such as the overhang shelter at Las Cuevas. Standing in the cool, dark heart of a rock shelter, I feel a sense of wonder as I see Native Americans’ pictographs and visualize them living in this region.
At all times of year, a visitor will find many desert plants along the trails. One of the most interesting trails for plant lovers is the short and easy Nature Trail behind the Bunkhouse. A variety of cacti mixes with Ocotillos and Yuccas, creating dramatic views with mountains and desert. Long shadows are the desert’s way of breathing. As the sun dips, the Ocotillo and Yucca stretch across the canyon floor, reclaiming the land from the heat.
As spring arrives early in the desert, blooming Torrey’s Yuccas add dramatic color, with deep reddish-purple buds surrounded by sharp, green-spiked leaves. Even the desert’s beauty has an edge. I loved how the deep shadows between the leaves make that reddish-purple heart look like it’s glowing from within.
To close any day at Big Bend Ranch, sitting by the porch at the Bunkhouse will wow your senses with dramatic sunsets. This gallery is a tribute to that contrast. It’s a look at the “Other Side of Nowhere,” the park’s motto. When the sun begins to dip below the horizon, turning the world into a dance of gold and ink, nostalgia sets in. When will I return to the other side of nowhere?
Last week, your photos covered a beautiful world of juxtaposition in Pattis’s challenge. I hope you will join this week’s challenge, too. Please don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts to help people find your wonderful challenge entries.
Next week, Ann-Christine will feature the first March challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history. If you don’t want to miss any future challenges, please consider subscribing to the team members’ websites. Here they are:
- Tina of Travels and Trifles.
- Patti of P.A. Moed.
- Ann-Christine of Leya.
- John of Journeys with Johnbo.
- Anne of Slow Shutter Speed.
- Sofia of Photographias.
- Egídio of Through Brazilian Eyes.
- Ritva of Ritva Sillanmäki Photography.
- Beth of Wandering Dawgs.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Big Bend Ranch SP, Chihuahuan Desert, Cinco Tinajas, Landscapes, Las Cuevas, Lens-Artists, Parks, Sunset, Texas, Torrey’s Yucca, and Wildflowers. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Pamela Zmija Photography
Looks like a very beautiful place! I really like the first two images with the rock and water… so beautiful!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Pam. Not on this visit, but in previous visits, the water was very clear and cold. It was refreshing to wade in it.
Sofia Alves
It looks like such an amazing place, Egídio, thank you for taking us along. Las cuervas is my favourite, I love everything about it.
Egidio Leitao
It’s a great place, especially if you like isolation. I had the trails all to myself while at the park. Thank you.
Sofia Alves
I deal with the public all the time, isolation is what I dream of 🙂
Leanne Cole
The desert looks incredible Egidio, and the photos really show those shadows, which I imagine would give respite to the heat.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Leanne. I only do desert hikes in the winter precisely for what your said: the heat. We had great winter weather while at the park. Actually, it was more like spring weather.
Dawn M. Miller
Oh wow…that yucca!
Egidio Leitao
Yes, Dawn! Any time I saw one of those, I had to stop and photograph it. They stand out in the desert. Thanks for writing.
Anita
Your opening image is truly impressive Egidio! And that desert bloom is a gem, glowing from within. The final sunset is simply stunning, a perfect closing note. You’ve captured the spirit of Big Bend Ranch so well, a wonderful collection from what must have been an unforgettable trip.
Egidio Leitao
Anita, your description “glowing from within” is on target. Wherever I was in the park, if one of those blooms were around, I could see them from a long distance. They stand out in the desert landscape. Thank you for writing.
Wandering Dawgs
Wow! Egidio, these are all breathtaking! I can feel the serenity of this beautiful place in every image. I hope you can return to the other side of nowhere very soon.
Egidio Leitao
Beth, yes, serenity is everywhere. It’s wonderful to be in such a remote park and not run into people. One feels like they own the place.
photobyjohnbo
From your opening photo to the beautiful closing shot, your images are stunning, Egidio! My favorite, though, is that Soaptree Yucca. The interplay of light and shadow show off the dynamic range in your camera and the composition is perfect.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, John. That Soaptree Yucca was mislabeled. My bad. It’s actually a Torrey’s Yucca. They are similar, but Torrey’s Yucca dominates the Chihuahuan Desert landscape. I appreciated your feedback and this great challenge.
margaret21
Thanks for sharing photos of your trip. You certainly witnessed the dramatic, the romantic, the wonderful. Thank you!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Margaret. I hope to be able to share more photos from that park.
margaret21
👍
Anne Sandler
OMG, Egidio, what beautiful images of a beautiful place. I love the colors and dynamic rock formations. Just stunning!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for this enthusiastic feedback. I’ll feature more at another time. Thank you.
Lindy Le Coq
This is inspirational, Egídio. I enjoy each on of the images, and especially love the desert bloom!
Egidio Leitao
Lindy, thank you kindly for this complimentary feedback. I very much appreciated that. Whenever I spotted that desert bloom in my hikes or drives in the park, I’d stop to photograph it. They stand out.
philosophy through photography
Cinco Tinajas feels wild and alive in these frames.
The play of light and shadow makes Big Bend Ranch State Park look intimate.
Las Cuevas and that desert bloom carry quiet strength.
Beautifully captured, Egidio, especially that glowing yucca heart against the dark.
Lovely examples for the theme. 👍
Egidio Leitao
Wow! I could have asked you to write. Your words are powerful and soothing. Thanks for your amazing feedback.
philosophy through photography
Lol! 😃
Welcome, Egidio.
Tina Schell
Well Egidio, you had me with your opener and sealed the deal with your closing image. All of the images in-between were the icing on the beautiful cake. Wonderfully captured!
Egidio Leitao
Tina, I can now sleep in peace and have sweet dreams. Your response just calmed my nerves. Thank you so very much.