The study of the history and geomorphology of planet Earth is not only fascinating beyond words, it can provide wonderful clues into the discovery of locations where intriguing images can be found. When Bonnie and I did our hike into GSENM’s (Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument) Calf Creek Canyon to gaze at the majesty of Lower Calf Creek Falls, we knew we would be hiking among the depths of 1000-foot-deep petrified dunes of Navajo Sandstone, which overlayed the creamy-orange marmalade of the Kayenta and Wingate formations. So we were anticipating some geologic visual treats, but as we went deeper into the canyon we began to understand how geologically special it is. In places, the Wingate walls seemed to be covered with a patina icing – streaked oxides – covering the deposits laid down in the Middle Jurassic, when the Sauropoda, the largest animals that have ever lived on land, walked the Earth.
A focal length of 420mm from the trail on the opposing canyon wall gave me the magnification and angle-of-view I wanted. An aperture of f/20 provided depth-of field, and a shutter speed of 1/4th second at ISO 100 with the motionless wall gave me a slightly-darker-than-mediun exposure.
GSENM – the entire original monument and then some – deserves our protection. It should be studied and loved and preserved for the amazing place it truly is; it is, indeed, sacred.
Don, that is a musical photograph. I can hear it! The rising and falling, the multiple lines of melody and harmony and rhythm. Brilliant. It sings! Thank you.
Ray
Salted caramel! YUM! You find some amazing places in your travels. Thanks for sharing them. This abstract has a wonderful repeating pattern and texture. The horizontal lines resemble wings; it makes one wonder what was going on to make them shaped like that. I guess volumes have been written on how and why… It’s fascinating; the more we learn, the more questions we have.
Thanks for sharing your adventures!
An amazing photo. Thanks for capturing the beauty of our natural places here in the u.s. it reminds me of ” picture rocks” national.lakesore in upper mi. A pre- cambrian sandstone wall . Thanks also for your vivid descriptions.
Beautiful abstract composition! Nothing like God’s paintbrush!
Oh, my. Hard to believe it is photography and not original art. Oh well, it really is, as Rosemary Benson noted. Micki Cabaniss
BeautifulI’m speachless!
Don,
Amen to your last sentence in the description; and your photographs give excellent proof of it.
Joel
Good morning Everyone. Thank you all very much for joining me for this conversation. It is a delight and a pleasure having you with me in particular for this Image because the recollection it evokes for me is truly special. The six-mile-round-trip walk to Lower Calf Creek Falls remains one of the most memorable I have every enjoyed. I would love to believe that I might do it again, but at this point in the game, it is at best uncertain. Bonnie and I have photographed on the Calf Creek area of GSENM on quite a few occasions and our decision to make this walk when we did gave us a connection with this place that we might have otherwise never experienced. I highly recommend it to everyone. It’s reasonably level, but there is quite a bit of sand along the path which can serve as a slowing element, actually good for creativity and seeing.
Hey Ray. It’s always good to hear from you. Lower Calf Creek Canyon is a trail made for you. That said, I very much appreciate the lyrics of your thoughtful answer. Indeed, you would hear it singing and see it laughing as you journeyed into the depths of this amazing spot. There are wonderful landscapes – intimate, close-up, and long – around every turn in the path. There is natural as well as cultural history galore. If it does not convince of the sacred nature of GSENM, I’m not sure anything can. Walk in Beauty.
Hey Nancy T. You share my thoughts exactly, the more you learn, the more questions there are to ask. This sandstone wall was like a musical score written in rock, and it was like the layers of stone became pages of history peeling away with time and wind and gravity. One could almost anticipate the wings beginning to move and take flight, taking the patina of icing with them. I hope you are well. We’ll talk soon.
Hi Charles. It’s great to hear from you. I think I know the very wall in Pictured Rocks that you mention. We are looking forward to being in the UP in October. Kitchi Gami is another of those sacred, special places that I am obliged to visit regularly.
Hey Rosemary. I hope this finds you well. The paint brush of Gitiche Manitou is filled with wonder, and all it requires of us is to open our eyes and look.
Hi Micki. Thank you, very much for being with us. While the camera can never truly replace our eyes as witnesses supreme to the wonders of the natural world, it can do a reasonably good job of capturing the beauty with which we have been blessed. Hopefully, when I have recovered from this surgery a bit more, Bonnie and I can enjoy a visit with you.
Howdy J. Warren. Methinks thou doest protest too much, but I surely do appreciate it. Never have I known you to venture out beyond words. Perhaps you might enjoy it with your own eyes. I hope you will find your way there. Where is your 20 these days; Apex , or thereabouts? Give me a call when you can.
Ah, Joel; if anyone would, you would know. I hope this finds you well, and I am honored by your kind words. Between the UP and the Southwest, I’m not sure which I’m more looking forward to talking with you about in October. I look forward to seeing you, my friend. Be well.
Thank you all, again, for your kind words and thoughtful comments. I so enjoy sharing my rambles around our beautiful world with all of you. May we all enjoy a beautiful 2019 and share many great adventures. Walk in Beauty.