Carlsbad Caverns

Formed 250 million years ago, the area has over 300 known caves. I did the self-guided Natural Entrance tour. This is the bat amphitheater, where you can watch thousands of Mexican Free-tailed bats exit the cave at dusk when they are in residence from April to October.


Hmmmm... Well, I guess I'm okay...


Actually, I didn't know what the big deal was. The natural entrance trail is paved and 800 feet downhill. At the end, you take an elevator back up. The entrance is 90 feet wide and 40 feet high. Here are just a few of the formations I saw.


Devil's Spring -- it's not really a spring, but is fed by dripping water.


Whale's Mouth -- made of a formation they call "Draperies."


The Green Lake Room


Now I'm in the "Big Room," 8.2 acres worth. This was a beautiful formation called the "Temple of the Sun."


And I really liked this one, the "Chinese Theater."


I don't know what this one is called, but all the guys were taking pictures of it.


About half way through the tour, I figured out how to take pictures in the Cavern. Do not use your flash! Just set the camera on the stone wall that is beside the path, try to keep the camera still, and hope for the best. A bean bag would have helped. Maybe next time...