http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96833445

When it comes to geography, West Texas doesn't exactly have the greatest reputation.

From Mack Davis' song about how happiness is Lubbock in his rearview mirror to Larry McMurtry's haunting novel The Last Picture Show, the flat, treeless, endless landscape inspires feelings of windswept loneliness. There's just so much of it and so little of you.

And that's why, when you get to the edge of this monotony and look out over Palo Duro Canyon State Park — with its fork of the Red River meandering gently through the grass along the wide canyon floor — you almost sob with relief.

Palo Duro is 120 miles long and 8 miles wide. It lays claim as the second largest canyon in the country after the Grand Canyon. The canyon and river sustain a habitat that would have little chance on the open plains.

Big horn sheep, mule and white tail deer, coyotes, bobcats and even a mountain lion recently took up residence. But it's the big birds that put on the real show.

"The real spectacular presence is the raptors," says Randy Ferris, who is in charge of Palo Duro Canyon.

http://ozreport.com/12.154#0

http://ozreport.com/12.154#3