As the sun readies to slip below the western horizon it highlights the massive structure of Brahma Temple crowning the grand ditch above the junction of the main canyon and its auxilliary scar of Bright Angel Canyon cutting its way toward North Rim Lodge. As it does so, the lower edge of the Transcept receives the last rays of another day. During our final EarthSong adventure to the Southwest last September/October we were blessed with wonderful sunsets nearly every night of the trip.
The only thing I have ever experienced when standing on the rim of this amazing hole in the ground is an awe that is beyond comprehension. It is a Beauty beyond my capacity to describe and gratitude is the only word that comes to mind.
A focal length of 56mm, still within the Normal range, gave me the angle-of-view I wanted with little magnification or compression. An aperture of f/16 provided depth-of-field from the camera-to-subject distance; and a shutter speed of 1/5th second at ISO 200 gave me an overall slightly darker-than-medium exposure.
It is beyond my comprehension that there are those who would actually seek to mine this amazing common ground and deface its natural appearance for the sake of money. One does not destroy the Earth’s treasures, nor sell them for thirty pieces of silver
Thank you Don for another amazing image of a breathtaking location. I will always remember that adventure with you, Bonnie, and the others. Stay safe my friend.
Hey Chris, I hope you and Sue are doing very well. Our Southwest adventure is one that I will never forget. That group are folks I would photograph with anytime and anywhere. They were serious and they were fun, and more than anything, they had a wonderful curiosity about the photographic and creative processes. And if you couple that with the amazing conditions we were given everywhere we went. the result was the adventure of a lifetime. I don’t know if we could hope to replicate it, but I certainly consider it. I hope our paths will cross again down the road. Thanks so much for your kind words. Walk in Beauty.
Thanks, Don, for this great start to my Sunday. I experience this image as full, robust, dense. It provides many things to contemplate from the high vertical walls to the horizontal reach of the canyon. Though it has been a few years, from 2009-2012, I had the great privilege of visiting the Canyon four times (!), including some memorable and demanding hikes to the river and back. What a photographic feast each time, and your image takes me back to those moments. Love the way you place Brahma Temple way way up in the frame to allow the rest to cascade away. Have a great week.
Hi Ray. It is always good to have you join me. Thanks so much for sharing some of your own experience in this wonderful place and for dissecting the image as seen through your eyes. I remember looking at all the images one sees as a prelude to actually going to the Grand Canyon thinking, ” Yeah, it’s big and it’s pretty, but…”; and when I stood on the rim looking into that abyss I thought, “Oh…Wow! And this has been my reaction every single time I have returned since. I am never indifferent or jaded to the experience, and awe is the only reaction I ever have. Take good care, my Friend.
Good Sunday morning. Thanks for another image of the beauty around us. I’m thinking this land should be left there to teach us about our universe, our planet and ourselves. We should not let greed destroy it before we have the technology to understand the lessons. The education will be worth much more than the 30 pieces of silver that can be made by exploiting it. In the meantime, while we wait for that technology, just seeing an image of the land can lift our spirits and lower our blood pressure; that in itself is enough reason to leave it as is for future generations to enjoy. Thanks Don for sharing the images as reminders of these treasured lands.
Hey Nancy T. It was really good to talk with you last week. I’m glad you are home safely. There are storms that seem determined to sweep across West Tennessee, so stay warm and dry. I so appreciate the story you have shared with us about this remarkable place; you’re so right: How could anyone ever wish to degrade or destroy it, especially once they have stood on its edge and looked into its depths? All we can do it tell the story of its Beauty with words and pictures, and hope our stories are heard and taken to heart. Take good care of yourself, Dear One.
Good afternoon Don, thank you for another beautiful image from the North Rim. It instantly took me back to 2014 and standing there with you looking at Brahma Temple, It was a different time of day, still beautiful but the sunset makes it more so. I think sunset brings out more detail and structure of the Temple. May final preparations for the big journey go well and be safe.
Hey Chuck, it is great to hear from you, My Friend, I hope your healing and therapy are going very well. I really appreciate your kind thoughts and good wishes. Preparations are coming along well enough. I’m thinking that March will be the departure month and I’m hoping that if I give you enough of a lead we can meet somewhere for lunch along my route. We had some wonderful adventures on the edge of this ditch, did we not. You came away with some really good images yourself, as I recall. Hope to talk soon. Walk in Beauty.
Thank you all for joining me for this brief trip through the hall of memory. I would have been honored to share this wonderful place with all of you. Punxsutawney Phil was greeted by his shadow on Wednesday suggesting that six more weeks of the Cold Season are headed our way. Stay warm and be safe Everyone.