10 Mar 2024

Santa Elena Canyon


— The whole park was so different when we visited Big Bend NP in September 2018. Because of recent rains in the area, everything was very lush green. Wildflowers were covering the park, and even the cross on the Rio Grande was not easily passable. That meant that hiking the Santa Elena Canyon trail was not possible. You could walk up to the Rio Grande, but going across meant going through the river and muddy waters knee-deep.

We thoroughly enjoyed the views, though. For example, we drove down Old Maverick Road to experience many desert-blooming plants, such as the tall Soaptree Yuccas in the next photo. That road is generally kept in good shape, and as you approach the end of the road, you have spectacular views of the Santa Elena Canyon. That characteristic entrance to the canyon can be seen from several parts of the park, including the Sotol Vista, South Rim, and Old Maverick Road locations.


I am revisiting these images today because the opening photo will be one of the images I will have on display, along with over a dozen others, during the Texas Photography Festival this coming weekend in Georgetown, Texas. I am one of eight featured photographers at the Festival. If you had asked me in 2017, when I retired, what I would be spending most of my free time on, photography would not have been on the radar. I am thankful for the community I have found, the new friends I made, and the joys I have had because of photography.

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8 Responses

  1. Rebecca Cuningham
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    Congratulations 🎉 that you are a featured photographer in Georgetown. Have a wonderful time.

  2. Egídio Leitão
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    Rebecca, thank you so much for your kind words.

  3. Marie
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    Bravo on the exhibition.

  4. Egídio Leitão
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    I appreciate your kind words, Marie. Thank you.

  5. Yanti
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    woah, a photography festival! 📸
    wonderful photos, Egidio! Congratulations on the feature 🙂

  6. Ingrid
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    Lovely landscape images. It does not surprise me that you’ll be a featured photographer. You have an eye for composition. Congratulations!

  7. Egídio Leitão
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    Ingrid, I appreciate the compliment. Thank you.

  8. Egídio Leitão
    |

    Thank you so much, Yanti. I am honored to be featured with great photographers.

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