Terlingua, located on the Western edge of Big Bend National Park was created when 'quick-silver' was found there. Also known as mercury, the town prospered during WWII with a strong demand for the product used in primers of ordinance. However, with a strong relationship between miners dying of mercury poisoning, and a decline in the need for the product after WWII, the town basically evaporated into the desert.
These shots were taken in what's referred to as the "Ghost Town" part. Taken at sunset, they tried to depict the harshness of the desert with the simplicity of burials of the deceased. This is a very stark existence from what most of us can comprehend. For example, their last rain was this past September, some six months ago. Electricity is virtually non-existent more than a mile or two off the main road or ancillary roads in town. There is no grass and tumbleweed grows rampant in the local cemetery where most graves remain unmarked.
Great shots, the light was fantastic when you were there. I like the warm tone you used, but my fave is the b&w one.
I also remember they used to have a chili cook off here.
Thank-you as well.... Yes, the lighting gods were present for this. The warm tones are natural, not induced via post (which by the way surprised me a bit) The desert floor was crowding 85*F already, and with the low humidity, little wind that day and no smog or smoke from Mexico, the shots sort of fell into place.
And you are correct about the chili-cookoff every year. Each year Terlingua/Study Butte hosts the event. Just South of there about 13 miles is also where the beer drinking goat lived in LaJitas.
The entire gallery can be seen HERE if you are interested.
Yes! That is one of the more popular sayings. Heck, they even have stickers now with it.
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There was a famous record album (remember those) called Viva Terlingua recorded in 1973. I remember listening to it over and over while growing up in Texas.
Comments
These shots were taken in what's referred to as the "Ghost Town" part. Taken at sunset, they tried to depict the harshness of the desert with the simplicity of burials of the deceased. This is a very stark existence from what most of us can comprehend. For example, their last rain was this past September, some six months ago. Electricity is virtually non-existent more than a mile or two off the main road or ancillary roads in town. There is no grass and tumbleweed grows rampant in the local cemetery where most graves remain unmarked.
Regards,
-joel
Link to my Smugmug site
I also remember they used to have a chili cook off here.
www.borrowedlightphotography.com
Thank-you. Here's a few more from this trip:
Along the Rio Grande river, an old movie set from Lonesome Dove "Streets of Laredo"
The church in Terlingua with new window replacements.
The sheer vastness of the area is overwhelming
True sunset in Terlingua
Yes! That is one of the more popular sayings. Heck, they even have stickers now with it.
Thank-you as well.... Yes, the lighting gods were present for this. The warm tones are natural, not induced via post (which by the way surprised me a bit) The desert floor was crowding 85*F already, and with the low humidity, little wind that day and no smog or smoke from Mexico, the shots sort of fell into place.
And you are correct about the chili-cookoff every year. Each year Terlingua/Study Butte hosts the event. Just South of there about 13 miles is also where the beer drinking goat lived in LaJitas.
The entire gallery can be seen HERE if you are interested.
Again, thank you for the comments.
.
There was a famous record album (remember those) called Viva Terlingua recorded in 1973. I remember listening to it over and over while growing up in Texas.