Soft morning light illuminates the Upper Falls, a natural limestone- and cypress-lined swimming hole at McKinney Falls State Park in Austin, TX. McKinney Falls is a hidden gem in Austin, providing 700 acres of wilderness just 15 minutes from the downtown hubbub. Usually crowded with park-goers, the Upper Falls is pristine and peaceful in the early morning. Taken on June 15, 2013 with a Nikon D7000 and 18-55mm f.3.5-5.6 Nikkor lens. Click photo to enlarge.
A hiker takes a much-needed rest after a cold, rainy hike along the backside of the Chisos Mountain range (beneath the Window) to Cattail Falls, a rare desert waterfall oasis that is only active after substantial rains. This hike is little known, since it’s not marked on Big Bend National Park’s maps. Taken on January 9, 2013 with a Nikon D7000 and 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Nikkor lens. Click photo to enlarge.
A free climber begins her winter ascent of Big Bend National Park’s Burro Mesa Pour-Off, a desert waterfall that is only active after substantial rains. She made it into the cave, but the slick, volcanic rhyolite at the higher levels of the pour-off made it impossible to continue. Photo taken January 14, 2013 with a Nikon D7000 and 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G Nikkor lens. Entered in the 2013 National Geographic Traveler Contest. Click photo to enlarge.