Cinco Tinajas after a Rain

Click on the photos for a closer view!
Photos by Monte Riggs

Just a short drive from Sauceda Ranch in the center of Big Bend Ranch State Park, along the main road is the Cinco Tinajas trail.  Lately the park has had some good rain, and yesterday, the tinajas had water! 

What's a tinaja?  Here's the Wikipedia definition:

"Tinaja is a term used in the American Southwest for water pockets formed in bedrock depressions that occur below waterfalls or are carved out by spring flow or seepage. Tinajas are important sources of surface water storage in these arid environments. These relatively rare landforms are important ecologically because they support unique plant communities and provide important services to terrestrial wildlife."

Want to find the trail yourself?  Here's a link to a map of the park, and the trailhead is noted just to the left of Sauceda Ranch.

The park's interpretive guide also talks about the importance of water to wildlife.  Download the two page guide here.

 Thanks to Monte Riggs for sharing his photographs!  Looks like it was a perfect day for a hike yesterday!

Wildlife studies at one of our gateways--Balmorhea State Park with Texas Master Naturalists

A softshell turtle from the canal

Double-click on any of these photos for a closer view!

Dr. Chris Ritzi, of Sul Ross State University presented an overview of the insect world and led us on our own specimen collecting adventure

Fresh water crayfish, the endangered Comanche Springs pupfish, and other aquatic life from the canal at Balmorhea State Park

Last weekend, we spent time at one of our gateway attractions, Balmorhea State Park, just outside our region.  We were there with the Tierra Grande Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists, learning about ichythology, ecological concepts and soils, and entomology, and the issues and species in our region.  After a lecture on the various species of bees, beetles and other insect life, Sul Ross State University's Dr. Chris Ritzi, gave us each an insect net and showed us how to capture and inspect individual species.

We highly recommend the Texas Master Naturalist Program for anyone who wants to learn about nature in their own region.  And we recommend you take a stroll down the canals and to the cienega, on your next visit to Balmorhea State Park.

Just outside our region: Balmorhea State Park

Many people make a stop just outside our region, on their way to the Texas Mountains.  Balmorhea State Park is one of the most visited state parks, largely because of the unusual pool.  This is the Balmorhea State Park most people recognize...the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) made pool. 

The park's website says:
"the park's main attraction is a large (77,053 sq. ft.) artesian spring pool that is open daily and fed by San Solomon Springs. The springs also fill a 'cienega' (desert wetland) and the canals of a refugium, home to endangered species of fish, assorted invertebrates, and turtles. The pool differs from most public pools in several respects: the 1 3/4-acre size, the 25-foot depth and the 72 to 76 degree constant temperature. It also has a variety of aquatic life in its clear waters. With a capacity of more than 3 1/2 million gallons, the pool has plenty of room for swimmers, while offering a unique setting for scuba and skin diving." 

On our recent visit, we swam in the pool, but we also spent time exploring the canals and the cienega. We encourage you to do that too, on your next visit.


Tomorrow, more photos of the cienega, catching insects with the Tierra Grande Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists and water life!