Last year I signed up as a volunteer at the Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas. This park is located in the northern part of the Chihuahuan Desert, an area that has held my interest for most of my life. I’ve found that living here and vacationing here are quite different things. So here is my chronicle of coming to, adapting to, and learning about this fascinating place’s plants and wildlife.
aneyefortexas 
Wow! Your photography is amazing, Gary. I found your site by accident while looking for updates on the return of black bears to West Texas. Would love to know if you’ve seen any bears. I’ve just subscribed to your posts and am looking forward to reading more.
Virginia Parker Staat
Author, The Legend of El Patron: A True Story
I watched someone release a Black Bear in the state park, but I never saw the bear after that. Bighorn sheep, however, I have seen since release, once a male with his transmitter still on his neck! Plenty of Black Bears in the national park, of course.
Gary
This is a great blog you have going here. Hog heaven for the desert rat!
William Giles (BongoInc)
Las Cruces NM
Fantastic job. I’m writing from India, where I live now, in response to an exchange with my brother where I learned that Midland, where I grew up, is not part of a desert but rather the southernmost extension of the Great Plains. While I’m sure that’s technically true, I also feel certain that I’m not the only West Texan who thought he lived in the desert. Once again, thanks for a great site which I’ll tag, and hope to look at in more detail, as a reference before prowling Big Bend again after many years abroad. Jamie Browder; New Delhi, India
I ran across your blog while researching desert vegetation, it’s fantastic. The Chihuahuan Desert has fascinated me ever since my parents took me to Big Bend in the late-60’s/early 70’s. Keep it up.
Regards,
Michael Green
Austin, Texas
Wonderful! I enjoyed all four pieces of your new blog. Beautiful shots of the Monsoon – fifth season and of those accompanying/illustrating the many internal/external benefits of the Creosote bush. And, for me, very educational. Congratulations, Gary!
Jim
Seeing it for the first time in response to your Facebook post on 2/03/2011, Gary. Excellent work so far!!!!!
Willie C
Great job, Gary! One of the best descriptions of creosote I’ve ever seen. It makes me even more anxious to get back to Big Bend Ranch.
Very nice Gary, looks like alot of effort, but well worth it.
Very interesting blog and amazing pictures, that area has always been my favorite since I first saw the Big Bend area at the age of eleven. Big Bend Ranch is also fascinating, haven’t been down there in several years unfortunately. I hope you’ll keep up the good work , it’s well worth seeing and reading about . Henry Drake El Paso,Tx.
Gary,
Congratulations on the grand beginning of your blog.
Best,
Tom Bleich