We set out and retraced our steps to Panther Junction, then carried on to Santa Elena Junction where we turned off onto the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Our first stop was The Sam Nail Ranch site, the remains of a homestead and still operating windmill and well. There were the remains of a small outbuilding and the surprise gem here was at the well. It still pumps water out onto the ground and is a haven for birds of many types. The longer we stood there the more different species appeared.





Male Vermillion Flycatcher



Male Vermillion Flycatcher



Road Runner.......Beep Beep!



Common Raven



You called? Javelina



The rest of the family



Beautifl Rock Formations



Green Tailed Towhee



Young White Crowned Sparrow



Juvenile Scissor-Tailed Fly Catcher



Adult Gambelii White Crowned Sparrow



Female Norther Cardinal



Verdin

There are also remains of an adobe brick house and some pecan trees that had been planted by the owners.





The well that attracked all the birds


We continued on to Homer Wilson Ranch which sat way down in the valley but is quite visible from the road.





Spiney outcropping of rock



Valcanic Formations



Homer Wilson Ranch



The ranch from a distance

When we reached Castolon we stopped for a bathroom break and had ice cream.

The high point of the trip was at the Santa Elena Canyon access, where Colin hiked into the cut through the huge rock wall. The pictures speak for themselves.......Breathtaking!!





Cacti with the Mule Ears peaks in the Background



Layered Volcanic Ash







Stone Ruins



The path to the view



The Rio Grande cutting through the massive rock wall.



WOW!

We then took the old Maverick Trail to complete the loop and stopped to look at Luna’s Jacal. This is a long low structure with a reed roof covered in mud. This was home to a family who drew water from a nearby creek and lived off the land.





Luna's Jacal


When we got back it was time for dinner and time to sit and find all the birds we had taken pictures of in the bird book and identify them.










Sunset on the mountians







Nature Trail in Big Bend Park



Kind of Spooky......



This could be Hallowee