The plunge pool formed by the falling waters of Lower Calf Creek Falls in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument collects seepage from points along the canyon wall. Over time these small interfaces have formed diminutive mudflat deltas where seepage meets pool. The falling water creates a constant breeze which ripples the lagoon’s waters, distorting the reflection of the canyon’s walls. A blue sky reflects strongly in the nearly still water of one of the seepages, where an errant cottonwood leaf and several twigs have come to rest.

A focal length of 123mm, still somewhat short telephoto-land, gave me the angle-of-view and isolation I wanted. An aperture of f/11 with an ISO of 100 allowed for a shutter speed of 1/8th second, slowing but not freezing the movement of the pool’s water and giving me an overall medium exposure.

If I never find the wherewithal to again make the six-mile-journey into Lower Calf Creek Canyon and back, I will never forget the thrill of entering this oasis in the desert and being in the midst of the beauty present there – a lesson in being present that lives within me.