Contributing photographer Rebecca Latson wants you to focus your powers of observation on the properties of texture, pattern, and color that you see in your viewfinder. Rebecca offers five techniques that she uses when photographing compositions focusing on any and all of these properties found within a national park.

In the latter part of the 19th century, cattle drives from Texas to Dodge City, Kansas, might involve upwards of 2,000 head of cattle and last two or three months. At Mesa Verde National Park, where a dozen cattle and 80 horses have been "trespassing" on park property, officials say it would take five years to remove them. And that it could take a decade to improve fencing along the park's boundaries to prevent livestock from returning to the park.

Flooding spurred by heavy rains has closed the entire Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. The trail closure includes associated parking lots from Botzum Trailhead in Cuyahoga Falls to Lock 39 Trailhead in Valley View.

Better wildlife habitat, and a look reflective of how the Brawner Farm area of Manassas National Battlefield Park appeared during the Civil War, was achieved through a prescribed fire set by park firefighters.