Alibates flint
I’d be remiss if I mentioned the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, as I did last time, without showing you a piece of that flint.
And below is a different take on orange and brown at that same site in the northern reaches of the Texas Panhandle.
© 2017 Steven Schwartzman
Portraits of Wildflowers 
When I read your previous post about the zinnia, I wondered if you’d grace us with a photo of the flint. I didn’t know about Alibates, and I wish I had when I was in the Panhandle. I was so close, and would have loved to stop. The appearance of the Alibates flint is so different from the Kansas Flint Hills rock that I had to do a quick comparison. It seems that much of the difference has to do with dolomite vs. limestone, and quite different conditions for its formation. More research is required.
That is some beautiful stone.
shoreacres
June 22, 2017 at 4:54 AM
Till I researched the most recent trip I likewise hadn’t heard of the Alibates Flint Quarries. I mentally pronounced the word as if it were Spanish but the people up there say Alley Bates. I see now that it was the only national monument in Texas “until the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument was created in 2013.” Given your travel history, I suspect you’ll find yourself in the Panhandle again over the next few years, and then you can check out this place. We visited on a Saturday morning, a prime tourist time. A ranger was sitting in the visitor center demonstrating flint knapping and allowing people to try it for themselves.
Steve Schwartzman
June 22, 2017 at 9:17 AM
Thanks, Steve, for the link to the Alibates Flint Quarry. As the Texas Panhandle, especially Palo Duro Canyon, is on our bucket list – hopefully for next year – the flint quarry might be a worth while destination, too.
Pit
June 22, 2017 at 9:48 AM
The two places are close enough that you can do both, provided you allow extra time. We didn’t include Palo Duro on this trip, even though we spent time in Canyon, because we’d already been to Palo Duro and were eager to experience new places. That said, I’d gladly visit Palo Duro again. You’re probably aware that it’s the second-largest canyon in the United States. Also in that general area and worth a visit is Caprock Canyons State Park:
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2014/05/01/i-hope-you-can-you-tell-this-isnt-austin/
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2014/05/02/bison/
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2014/05/05/feather-dalea/
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2014/05/06/prairie-dog/
Steve Schwartzman
June 22, 2017 at 9:58 AM
I forgot to mention Caprock Sate Park. That, especially the Caprock Canyons State Park Trailway, is something else we’d like to do up there.
As to Palo Duro Canyon: i just checked the cabins there, but they are really in high demand. Nearly fully booked until May next year, and I can’t go beyond this yet. What a pity.
Pit
June 22, 2017 at 10:10 AM
Ah, too bad. I know you’d like to stay in the park itself, but if you don’t mind staying elsewhere in the area I see that AirB&B offers a range of accommodations:
https://www.airbnb.com/s/Canyon–TX/homes?allow_override%5B%5D=&s_tag=I62vDgxg
Steve Schwartzman
June 22, 2017 at 10:35 AM
Thanks for the new link. 🙂
Pit
June 22, 2017 at 11:05 AM
You’re welcome.
Steve Schwartzman
June 22, 2017 at 2:12 PM
Wow, these are beautiful. I love the rock patterns.
Val
June 22, 2017 at 5:18 PM
From your website I see how you’re attuned to color. Color grabs me, too, as do patterns. In fact I’ve used “patterns” as a tag for many relevant posts:
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/tag/patterns/
Steve Schwartzman
June 22, 2017 at 6:59 PM
Thanks for the link – that’s great! 🙂
Val
June 23, 2017 at 5:48 AM
As are patterns.
Steve Schwartzman
June 23, 2017 at 7:34 AM
[…] Today’s photograph is yet another one from the Alibates Fint Quarries. The orange earth in the background was within sight of the place shown in yesterday’s second picture. […]
Yucca flowering in the Texas Panhandle | Portraits of Wildflowers
June 23, 2017 at 4:56 AM
I especially like your second image–it brings to mind the prow of an icebreaker and, in somewhat subtler intensity, the colors of Australia’s outback.
krikitarts
June 25, 2017 at 9:15 AM
What a different climate the prow of an icebreaker summons up. In its heat, Alibates is much more akin to the Australian outback that you mentioned.
Steve Schwartzman
June 25, 2017 at 10:20 AM