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April 29, 2022  |  By Ben Ivers

Santa Elena Canyon

Rio Grande Santa Elena Canyon Live

Big Bend National Park

I would highly recommend taking a trip on the Rio Grande

I recently took a canoe trip down the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park. This was a great experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area. We had booked the trip a few weeks out from our visit to Big Bend National Park. There were a few other people in our tour group. During the canoe trip, we had the opportunity to take a hike. We had lunch sitting along the river. We even stopped to swim in the river through one of the small rapids. This was probably my favorite part. After a few days of hot weather, it felt amazing to cool off in the waters of the Rio Grande.

Rio Grande Canoe Walk

The Santa Elena Canyon is a beautiful sight, and it's definitely worth taking the time to hike near the mouth of the canyon while you're visiting. The canyon walls erupt from the low, flat desert of Big Bend National Park. The name of the canyon comes from Spanish, and it means "holy Elena." Elena was a saint who lived in the second century.

One of the things that I found most interesting about this park was the saltcedar tree, also known as tamerisk. This invasive species has been wreaking havoc on the ecosystem of the Rio Grande for years. It's been spreading rapidly, and it has caused serious problems for the native plants and animals in the area. The saltcedar tree is from Asia, and it was introduced to the United States in the 1800s. It has spread rapidly across the Southwest, and it's now found in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The saltcedar tree is a serious problem because it takes over the land and crowds out the native plants. It's important to be aware of its impact on the park.

Ocotillo Big Bend

The Rio Grande is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The bighorn sheep is one of the most iconic animals in the area, and it is not uncommon to see these animals grazing on the banks of the river. The Rio Grande Valley is one of the most biologically diverse regions in North America.

The saltcedar is an invasive tree

These sheep are known for their shaggy coats

While we were canoeing along the river, we saw an aoudad. Im guessing you're asking: "what's an Aoudad?" This is one of the most interesting animals that can be found in the Rio Grande. It's a type of sheep that is native to North Africa. They are also known as barbary sheep. Aoudads were introduced to the Rio Grande Valley in the 1970s, and they have since become a common sight in the area. These sheep are known for their shaggy coats and long horns, and they are a popular target for hunters. Some days you can see them grazing high up on the plateaus of the canyon walls. They are most commonly found in mountain regions, but they can also be found in deserts, woodlands, and scrublands. Aoudads are herbivores, and their diet consists mainly of grasses and herbs. They will also eat fruits, nuts, and seeds when they are available. Aoudad ewes typically give birth to two lambs at a time. Lambs are born with a reddish-brown coat that turns gray or tan as they reach adulthood. On this day we saw one that had experienced an unfortunate fall to its death from the canyon wall above.

Aoudad

The Rio Grande is the fourth longest river in North America, measuring 1,896 miles from its source to the Gulf of Mexico. It's also the largest river in Texas, and it provides important habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. The area is home to more than 400 bird species, including the endangered black vulture and American bald eagle.

The Rio Grande is a major transportation route, with numerous bridges and dams spanning its length. The most famous of these is the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, which spans 650 feet and is the fifth highest bridge in the United States. There is much controversy surrounding the dams of the Rio Grande. Some believe that the dams are necessary to prevent flooding and provide irrigation water for crops, while others believe that the dams are detrimental to the environment. The dams of the Rio Grande were built in the early 1900s and are currently managed by the International Boundary and Water Commission. There are a total of fifteen dams on the Rio Grande, with most of them being in New Mexico. The dams have helped to prevent flooding and provide water for irrigation, but they have also caused environmental problems such as decreased water flow, sediment buildup, and loss of habitat. In recent years, there has been increasing pressure to remove the dams or at least modify their operation in order to improve the environment. The fate of the dams of the Rio Grande is still undecided, but it's clear that they have a significant impact on both the environment and the people who rely on the river. The Rio Grande is also one of the most important rivers in the United States, providing water for over 6 million people and irrigating more than 1.5 million acres of farmland.

The Rio Grande has been an important waterway for centuries, and it has played a significant role in the history of the region. Archaeological evidence suggests that people have been living along the Rio Grande for at least 12,000 years. The river was a vital trade route for indigenous peoples, and it later became an important part of the Spanish colonial empire. Today, the Rio Grande is still an important waterway, and it is a popular destination for recreation. It's a beautiful and important river, and I encourage everyone to visit Big Bend National Park and experience it for themselves.

THIS MONTH'S GALLERY
canoe landscape mexico river texas

Article by Ben Ivers

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Matt Hamas and Ben Ivers here. We are focused on fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the environment. We endeavor to bring you a unique perspective of the wild. Our photos are being placed here for you to enjoy. Please feel free to download any of the photos for your personal use. We are currently seeking partners for printing and developing photos.

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