Photographs from Outside of the Star Caves - Grutas de la Estrella

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Copyright (C) 2008
These pictures were taken in the second half of October during our trip to visit the Grutas la Estrella, translated as Star Caves located in the Estado de México (State of Mexico) in Mexico. The countryside nearby was very green and pretty from the summer rains and many wildflowers were in bloom. Many fields of cut flowers and plastic greenhouses also exist in that region. When you arrive to Grutas la Estrella, you buy your ticket and can use a public restroom or buy some typical fast food. Then there is a long path to go downhill to the entrance to the caves. There is a food stand at the bottom of the hill as well as flashlight rental. Tours leave every 20 minutes, and they also offer a more extensive tour for those who are more adventurous. If you can manage to walk down all of the stairs, you'll have no problem going on the normal tour.

Autumn Foliage in Estado de México

This view shows the yellows, greens, and browns that are common at this time of year (2nd half of October, 2007) This photograph was taken on the path to the entrance to the Grutas la Estrella caves in the Estado de México (State of Mexico). The dark blobs in the close branch are small green Bromeliads.

Autumn green gold and brown foliage

This photo is subtly attractive. First you notice the autumn foliage and then slowly look up and see the blue sky with the sunlight glowing through the clouds on the horizon. This photograph was taken in the second half of October, 2007 in Estado de México (State of Mexico) Mexico from the path to the grutas la Estrella (Star Caves).

Autumn foliage in Estado de México

This great view of the autumn foliage focuses on the trees not the sky. I especially like the golden yellow tree to the right. It is sad I couldn't get the entire panorama for you in a photo because it really was a beautiful afternoon. This photograph was taken on the path to the Grutas la Estrella (Star Caves) in Estado de México (state of Mexico) in the second half of October, 2007.

Long Path to the Cave

This is part of the stairs and walking path down to the entrance to the Grutas de la Estrella (Star Caves) in Estado de México (state of Mexico).

Long Path to the Cave 2

This is another section of the path to the caves. It is a really long path.

River to Cave

This is the river entering the Grutas la Estrella caves. It eventually goes back above ground many kilometers later. I like this photo because of its simplicity. I find it very relaxing.

Tour Entering the Grutas de la Estrella Star Caves

This is my tour going in to the Grutas de la Estrella, or Star Caves. You can't really tell, but this is a narrow half-walled path so no one falls into the stream which also enters at this point. Then there is a metal bar railed bridge to take you beyond that point to the rest of solid rock floor.

Stream by the Cave 1

Stream by the Cave 2

Stream by the Cave 3

Stream by the Cave 4

Trees

A Green Bromeliad

Bromeliads will grow in the trees in warm but not dry parts of Mexico. They'll be often found in places at and near the base of a mountain by a river or stream. Hot weather is not needed, but they won't grow where it freezes. This green bromeliad is typical. You can find many of them growing in the trees in the lower part of the path to the Grutas de la Estrella in Estado de México (State of Mexico), Mexico.

A Cluster of Green Bromeliads

Bromeliads will grow in the trees in warm but not dry parts of Mexico. They'll be often found in places at and near the base of a mountain by a river or stream. Hot weather is not needed, but they won't grow where it freezes. This clustering of bromeliads is really funny looking but it happens when more than one start growing close to each other and eventually form a ball. That is really a disadvantage for each one. You can find many of them growing in the trees in the lower part of the path to the Grutas de la Estrella in Estado de México (State of Mexico), Mexico.

Large Green Bromeliad with flower stalk

This is my favorite photograph in the gallery. It highlights the beauty of Mexico with great lighting, contrast, and shapes. I wish I had a framed print of my own! Bromeliads will grow in the trees in warm but not dry parts of Mexico. They'll be often found in places at and near the base of a mountain by a river or stream. Hot weather is not needed, but they won't grow where it freezes. This green bromeliad is blooming. You can find many of them growing in the trees in the lower part of the path to the Grutas de la Estrella in Estado de México (State of Mexico), Mexico.

Bromeliads on branches

This photo is not one of my best, but it shows bromeliads of different sizes. Bromeliads will grow in the trees in warm but not dry parts of Mexico. They'll be often found in places at and near the base of a mountain by a river or stream. Hot weather is not needed, but they won't grow where it freezes. You can find many of them growing in the trees in the lower part of the path to the Grutas de la Estrella in Estado de México (State of Mexico), Mexico.

Bromeliads on a Branch

This is a nice clear photo of several green bromeliads on a branch. Bromeliads will grow in the trees in warm but not dry parts of Mexico. They'll be often found in places at and near the base of a mountain by a river or stream. Hot weather is not needed, but they won't grow where it freezes. You can find many of them growing in the trees in the lower part of the path to the Grutas de la Estrella in Estado de México (State of Mexico), Mexico.

Yellow and black wild flowers

Yellow and black wild flowers blooming along the path to the Grutas la Estrella caves in the Estado de México. This photograph was taken in the second half of October 2007.

Tiny white and yellow wild flowers

These tiny white and yellow wild flowers were blooming along the path to the entrance to the Grutas la Estrella caves in Estado de México in the second half of October 2007. Although at first glance they don't seem special, just take a moment to look at the larger image and you'll see the details of light, shadow, and form that make this image one of my favorites.

Tiny yellow wild flowers

These tiny yellow wildflowers were growing along the path to the Grutas la Estrella caves in the Estado de México (State of Mexico) in the second half of October, 2007.

Nopal also called Pricky Pear Cactus - close

This is a closer shot of a medium sized nopal plant. Nopales are called Prickly Pear Cactus in English. Their fruit are called tunas, (tuna in singular form) The large 'leaves' can be eaten and are a traditional food in mexico. The needles are scraped off with a long knife and the leaves are either grilled, sliced and fried (with out oil) or chopped and boiled. They are sometimes put in a blender raw as a health drink. Nopal is high in Vitamin C and carbohydrates so it is great for a diet. Nopal is great with chicken or tacos.

Nopal also called Pricky Pear Cactus - entire

This is a medium sized Nopal plant. The Nopal is called Prickly Pear Cactus in English. The plural for Nopal is Nopales. The fruit is called tuna, or tunas for more than one. See the other Nopal photograph for information on how it is typically cooked. I have seen many Nopal plants before, but I think this plant near the top of the path to Grutas la Estrella, the Star Caves, was especially attractive. It is growing under a small tree so it is in the mid-afternoon shade.