https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/gallery/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/gallery/fine-art-nature-and-landscape-photography/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/gallery/fine-art-nature-and-landscape-photography-by-location/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/gallery/a-deep-dive-a-deeper-exploration-of-select-locations-and-themes/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/gallery/grand-valley-postcards/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/gallery/crystal-river-valley--mcclure-pass---unpublished/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/gallery/mt-garfield---ashli/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/page/about-the-artist/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/page/about-your-print/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-over-mt-garfield-7/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_029v2a_24x36.jpg Twilight Over Mt. Garfield Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/693/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_015v3a_24x36.jpg Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-over-mt-garfield-6/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_029v2_24x36.jpg Twilight Over Mt. Garfield Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-over-mt-garfield-and-the-book-cliffs-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_025v2_24x36.jpg Twilight Over Mt. Garfield and the Book Cliffs Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/690/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_018v1_24x36.jpg Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/689/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_015v3_24x36.jpg Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/painted-sky-over-mt-garfield-3/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_013v3_24x36.jpg Painted Sky Over Mt. Garfield The last light of the setting sun paints the clouds above Mt. Garfield a peachy color to celebrate the Palisade Peach. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/687/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/Ashli_2018-0919_CO_MtGarfield_078v1.jpg Mt. Garfield https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/686/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/Ashli_2018-0919_CO_MtGarfield_077v1.jpg Mt. Garfield https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/685/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/Ashli_2018-0919_CO_MtGarfield_077v1-2.jpg Mt. Garfield https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/684/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/Ashli_2018-0919_CO_MtGarfield_075v1.jpg Mt. Garfield https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/683/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/Ashli_2018-0919_CO_MtGarfield_075v1-2.jpg Mt. Garfield https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/quiet-moment-at-mt-garfield-3/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/Ashli_2018-0919_CO_MtGarfield_074v1.jpg Quiet Moment at Mt. Garfield Warm Evening at Mt. Garfield Mt. Garfield https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-over-mt-garfield-5/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/Ashli_2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_029v2.jpg Twilight Over Mt. Garfield Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-over-mt-garfield-and-the-book-cliffs/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/Ashli_2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_025v4.jpg Twilight Over Mt. Garfield and the Book Cliffs Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-over-mt-garfield-4/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/Ashli_2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_018v3.jpg Twilight Over Mt. Garfield Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/678/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/Ashli_2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_018v2.jpg Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/677/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/Ashli_2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_018v2-2.jpg Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/676/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/Ashli_2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_015v3.jpg Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/painted-sky-over-mt-garfield-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/Ashli_2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_013v3.jpg Painted Sky Over Mt. Garfield Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/674/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/Ashli_2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_013v2.jpg Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/673/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/Ashli_2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_013v2-2.jpg Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-fiery-furnace/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2022-1227_UT_ARCH_037v1.jpg The Fiery Furnace The Fiery Furnace is a region of Arches National Park with a high concentration of Entrada Sandstone fins, which leads to arch formation. These sandstone fins are somewhat unique to the Arches NP region; this is likely due to both an unusual cementing of the ancient sand dunes in the area and the Paradox Salt Formation buried below. The salts from this formation long ago welled up in parallel-alined fissures, leading to the sandstone's erosion along these lines. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-at-crystal-mill/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-0624_CO_CrystalMill_001v1.jpg Midnight at Crystal Mill The Milky Way rises over Crystal Peak, Crystal Mill, and the Crystal River. Crystal Mill, built in 1892, is not an actual mill; instead, Sheep Mountain Power House as it was known, used a water turbine to create compressed air from the flow of Crystal Creek to support the Sheep Mountain Tunnel and Mining Company's operation in the surrounding mountains. Today, it is reached via rugged 4WD trail used as much by hikers as off-roaders. Crystal River Valley, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/670/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2022-0921_CO_CrystalRiverValley_021v1.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/669/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2022-0921_CO_CrystalRiverValley_020v1.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/668/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2022-0921_CO_CrystalRiverValley_016v2.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/667/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2022-0921_CO_CrystalRiverValley_012v1.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/666/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2022-0921_CO_CrystalRiverValley_012v1-2.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/665/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2022-0921_CO_CrystalRiverValley_010v1.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/664/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2022-0921_CO_CrystalRiverValley_008v2.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/663/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0928_CO_McClurePass_098v1.jpg Kebler Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/662/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0930_CO_McClurePass_066v1.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/661/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0930_CO_McClurePass_051v1.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/660/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0930_CO_McClurePass_044v1.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/659/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0929_CO_McClurePass_211v2.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/658/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0929_CO_McClurePass_209v1.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/657/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0929_CO_McClurePass_208v1.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/656/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0929_CO_McClurePass_208v1-2.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/655/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0929_CO_McClurePass_204v2.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/654/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0929_CO_McClurePass_204v2-2.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/653/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0929_CO_McClurePass_203v2a.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/652/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0929_CO_McClurePass_203v2a-2.jpg McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/649/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2022-0622_CO_Ashcroft_001v1.jpg Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/648/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0403_CA_JOTR_056v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/647/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0401_CA_JOTR_031v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/646/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0401_CA_JOTR_027v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/645/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0401_CA_JOTR_022v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/644/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0401_CA_JOTR_011v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/643/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0330_CA_JOTR_036v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/642/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0330_CA_JOTR_027v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/641/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0330_CA_JOTR_022v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/640/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0328_CA_JOTR_002v2.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/639/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0326_CA_JOTR_016v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/638/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0326_CA_JOTR_008v2.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/637/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0324_CA_JOTR_060v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/636/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0324_CA_JOTR_050v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/635/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0324_CA_JOTR_050v1-2.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/634/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0324_CA_JOTR_043v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/633/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0322_CA_JOTR_004v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/632/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0319_CA_JOTR_131v1.jpg https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/631/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0316_CA_JOTR_178v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/630/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0315_CA_JOTR_029v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/629/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0314_CA_JOTR_010v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/628/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0331_CA_JOTR_216v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/627/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0331_CA_JOTR_186v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/626/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0324_CA_JOTR_248v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/625/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0324_CA_JOTR_242v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/624/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0323_CA_JOTR_057v1.jpg Joshua Tree National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/623/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0513_UT_ARCH_030v2.jpg Arches National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/moonlit-rocks-and-mules-ears-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0513_UT_ARCH_028v2.jpg Moonlit Rocks and Mule's Ears Moonlight bathes a bouquet of Rough Mule's Ears (Wyethia scabra) and The Organ in the Courthouse Towers are of Arches National Park. Rough Mule's Ear is in the Sunflower Family and common to the park. The Organ is a monument to the Estrada Sandstone fins that erode to form the arches and other rock formations of Arches National Park. Arches National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/621/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0210_CA_DEVA_218v2.jpg Death Valley National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/620/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0210_CA_DEVA_206v2.jpg Death Valley National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/619/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0207_CA_DEVA_056v2.jpg Death Valley National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/618/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0207_CA_DEVA_034v2.jpg Death Valley National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/617/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0206_CA_DEVA_076v2.jpg Death Valley National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/616/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0521_UT_GSENM_069v1.jpg Grand Staircase-Escalante Nation https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/615/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2010-0725_GRCA_NorthRim_137v1.jpg For flowers, summer is short at the high altitudes of the Kaibab Plateau - typically 7,000 feet to over 9,000 feet. Though short, summer in the predominately ponderosa pine forest of the Mountain Lying Down (as the local Paiute people call the plateau - Kaibab is a Paiute word meaning Mountain Lying Down), is full of new and continuing life. And, no other life springs so vibrantly from the recently frozen soils than wildflowers, which often carpet the forest floor across the plateau - especially after good winter's snow (which can reach well above ten feet of snowfall). Along with fields of lupine, the sunflower Many-Flowered Goldeneye (Heliomeris multiflora) often dominate the forest floor in spots as they grow up to three feet tall. These fields of tall flowers can often glow with the late afternoon light. North Rim, Grand Canyon National https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-bee-or-the-moose/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0830_GRTE_108v3.jpg The Bee or the Moose Grand Teton National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/613/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0715_CEBR_Wildflowers_138v2.jpg Cedar Breaks National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/612/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0715_CEBR_Wildflowers_138v2-3.jpg Cedar Breaks National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/611/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0715_CEBR_Wildflowers_138v2-2.jpg Cedar Breaks National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/610/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0715_CEBR_Wildflowers_129v1.jpg Cedar Breaks National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/609/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0715_CEBR_Wildflowers_129v1-2.jpg Cedar Breaks National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/608/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0715_CEBR_Wildflowers_090v1.jpg Cedar Breaks National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/607/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0715_CEBR_Wildflowers_070v2.jpg Cedar Breaks National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/606/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0715_CEBR_Wildflowers_069v1.jpg Cedar Breaks National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/605/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0715_CEBR_Wildflowers_062v1.jpg Cedar Breaks National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/604/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0715_CEBR_Wildflowers_062v1-2.jpg Cedar Breaks National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/603/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0715_CEBR_Wildflowers_061v1.jpg Cedar Breaks National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/602/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0715_CEBR_Wildflowers_061v1-2.jpg Cedar Breaks National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/cedar-breaks-national-monument-wildflower-festival---colorado-co/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0715_CEBR_Wildflowers_058v2.jpg Cedar Breaks National Monument Wildflower Festival - Colorado Co Cedar Breaks National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/600/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0715_CEBR_Wildflowers_045v1.jpg Cedar Breaks National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/599/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0715_CEBR_Wildflowers_033v2.jpg Cedar Breaks National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/from-a-crack-in-the-rocks/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0516_Moab_HiddenValley-MaobRim_013v3.jpg From a Crack in the Rocks The Sego Lily, Calochortus gunnisonii, grows across the Colorado Plateau in a variety of environments and landscapes. This Sego Lily grew up through a crack in a pile of sandstone rocks along the trail in Hidden Valley south of Moab. The Sego Lily is easy to identify with its three broad, small pointed petals; these petals are white, lilac, or yellow in color. The Sego Lily is the state flower of Utah, so voted by the state legislature in 1911; it was chosen in a census of Utah school children's preference for a state flower. In the 1840s, a crop devouring plague of crickets left food scarce in Utah and the Mormon pioneers learned to dig for the Sego Lily's soft, bulbous root as a food source. Moab https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/597/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2008-0510_GLCA_HangingGardenTrail_127v1.jpg Glen Canyon National Recreation https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/wall-of-leaves/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2008-0510_GLCA_HangingGardenTrail_010v1.jpg Wall of Leaves Hanging gardens, where seeps feed up to 35 species of plants, can be found throughout Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. One of the most common plants of these gardens is the Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris), which can literally cover the entire wall of one of these vertically oriented natural gardens. Glen Canyon National Recreation https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/595/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2006-0528_Page_Home_Sisify_010v3.jpg https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/594/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2006-0528_Page_Home_Sisify_010v2.jpg https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/593/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2006-0528_Page_Home_Sisify_008v2.jpg https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/592/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2005-0503_GLCA_LeesFerry_047v3.jpg Lees Ferry, Glen Canyon National https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/591/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2005-0503_GLCA_LeesFerry_019v1.jpg Lees Ferry, Glen Canyon National https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/590/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2005-0402_GLCA_HangingCardenTrail_006v1.jpg https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/589/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2004-0516_UT_GLCA_069v1.jpg Alstrom Point, Glen Canyon Natio https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/588/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-0711_CO_COLM_029v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/587/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0611_CO_BookCliffs_084v2.jpg Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/586/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0919_CO_MtGarfield_077v1.jpg Mt. Garfield https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/585/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0919_CO_MtGarfield_075v1.jpg Mt. Garfield https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/584/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0903_CO_COLM_030v2.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/583/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0903_CO_COLM_007v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/582/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0829_CO_COLM_005v3.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/581/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0602_CO_COLM_001v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/580/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0513_CO_BookCliffs_017v4.jpg Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/579/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0506_CO_COLM_056v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/578/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0503_CO_COLM_160v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/577/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0503_CO_COLM_157v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/576/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0503_CO_COLM_019v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/575/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0428_CO_COLM_017v2.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/574/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0428_CO_COLM_014v2.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/573/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0427_CO_COLM_026v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/572/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0427_CO_COLM_023v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/571/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0427_CO_COLM_001v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/570/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0426_CO_COLM_030v2.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/569/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0426_CO_COLM_021v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/568/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0426_CO_COLM_013v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/567/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0421_CO_COLM_036v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/566/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0421_CO_COLM_031v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/565/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0421_CO_COLM_007v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/564/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0419_CO_COLM_022v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/first-kiss-of-sunrise-independence-monument/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0419_CO_COLM_020v2.jpg First Kiss of Sunrise, Independence Monument Early morning sunlight bathes the Wingate Sandstone of Independence Monument, the remnants of a wall of sandstone that once separated Monument Canyon from Wedding Canyon. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/independence-sunrise-3/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0417_CO_COLM_005v1.jpg Independence Sunrise The rising sun floods Monument Canyon with golden light. Independence Monument stands tall at the center of the canyon. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/561/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0415_CO_COLM_007v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/storm-at-the-end-of-the-rainbow/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0613_CO_Palisade_026v1.jpg Storm at the End of the Rainbow A brief but powerful spring thunderstorm popped up over the Grand Valley just before sunset, rolling over the orchards and vineyards of Palisade, Colorado. One of the most vibrant rainbows I've ever seen arched over the east end of the valley. As the sun set, the clouds and the remnant of the rainbow glowed over the western edge of Grand Mesa. Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/559/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0901_CO_BookCliffs_020v2.jpg Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/558/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0827_CO_COLM_177v2.jpg Delta Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/double-rainbow-over-monument-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0721_CO_COLM_224v2.jpg Double Rainbow Over Monument Canyon As a late afternoon thunderstorm receeds into the distance, a double rainbow adiates over Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/556/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0715_CO_COLM_111v2.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/tranquility-cliffs-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0611_CO_BookCliffs_080v2-2.jpg Tranquility Cliffs The last light of the day bathes the Book Cliffs in soft tones while blazing a glow across the clouds above. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/breaking-winter-storm-in-monument-canyon-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1203_CO_COLM_004v2.jpg Breaking Winter Storm in Monument Canyon A breaking winter storm over Colorado National Monument reveals a winter wonderland around Independence Monument in Monument Canyon. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/quiet-moment-at-mt-garfield-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0919_CO_MtGarfield_074v1.jpg Quiet Moment at Mt. Garfield Warm Evening at Mt. Garfield Mt. Garfield https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/milky-way-over-the-coke-ovens-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0606_CO_COLM_004v3.jpg Milky Way Over the Coke Ovens The Milky Way rises above monuments of Wingate Sandstone that have eroded into teepee rocks shaped like the historic coke ovens used by early miners to make charcoal. Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monumental-milky-way-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0508_CO_COLM_009v5.jpg Monumental Milky Way The Milky Way rises above the Wingate Sandstone Monuments that dominate Monument Canyon and its sandstone monoliths. Monument Canyon is carved deeply into the Wingate Sandstone that forms the rim of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Colorado National Monument towers over the Colorado River and forms the southwest border to Grand Valley. Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monumental-sunrise-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0506_CO_COLM_033v1.jpg Monumental Sunrise The first kiss of sunlight bathes the Wingate Sandstone cliffs and monoliths and Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands of Monument Canyon. Monument Canyon is carved deeply into the Wingate Sandstone that forms the rim of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Colorado National Monument towers over the Colorado River and forms the southwest border to Grand Valley. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sunset-on-independence-monument-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0428_CO_COLM_005v1.jpg Sunset on Independence Monument The edge of Independence Monument glows with the warm light of a setting sun. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/good-morning-indendence-monument-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0419_CO_COLM_010v3.jpg Good Morning, Indendence Monument Early morning light baths Independence Monument and Fruita, Colorado as the first light of coming sun paints the clouds above. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/independence-sunrise-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0417_CO_COLM_005v2.jpg Independence Sunrise The rising sun floods Monument Canyon with golden light. Independence Monument stands tall at the center of the canyon. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-on-mt-garfield-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_028v2.jpg Twilight on Mt. Garfield Twilight paints Mt. Garfield and the Book Cliffs near Palisade, Colorado. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/painted-sky-over-mt-garfield/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_013v3.jpg Painted Sky Over Mt. Garfield The last light of the setting sun paints the clouds above Mt. Garfield a peachy color to celebrate the Palisade Peach. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/painted-sky-over-the-book-cliffs-3/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_006v1.jpg Painted Sky Over the Book Cliffs The Book Cliffs Range stretches from Western Colorado along the Grand Valley deep into Utah to the west. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, this section of the cliffs is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. The Mancos Shale is the ancient seabed from the Cretaceous Interior Seaway that bisected North America about 80 million years ago before this region was uplifted as part of the Colorado Plateau. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/last-light-on-the-book-cliffs-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_005v3.jpg Last Light on the Book Cliffs The Book Cliffs Range stretches from Western Colorado along the Grand Valley deep into Utah to the west. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, this section of the cliffs is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. The Mancos Shale is the ancient seabed from the Cretaceous Interior Seaway that bisected North America about 80 million years ago before this region was uplifted as part of the Colorado Plateau. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/unsettled-sky-over-independence-monument-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0527_CO_COLM_022v3.jpg Unsettled Sky Over Independence Monument A monsoon thunderstorm churns over Indpendencee Monument in Monument and Wedding Canyons. Cloud to cloud streaks of lightning dance overhead. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monumental-thunder-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0510_CO_COLM_004v3.jpg Monumental Thunder Rumbling thunder echoed through Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument as an evening thunderstorm rolls across the Uncompahgre Plateau. Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/frosted-monuments-iv-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0120_CO_COLM_109v1.jpg Frosted Monuments IV The Pipe Organ, Independence Monument, and a fog shrouded Kissing Couple in Monument Canyon are frosted with snow from an overnight storm over Colorado National Monument. Colorado River https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/frosted-monuments-iii-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0120_CO_COLM_108v1.jpg Frosted Monuments III The Pipe Organ, Independence Monument, and a fog shrouded Kissing Couple in Monument Canyon are frosted with snow from an overnight storm over Colorado National Monument. Colorado River https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/frosted-monuments-ii-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0120_CO_COLM_072v1.jpg Frosted Monuments II The Pipe Organ, Independence Monument, and other formations in Monument Canyon are frosted with snow from an overnight storm over Colorado National Monument. Colorado River https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/frosted-monuments-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0120_CO_COLM_018v1.jpg Frosted Monuments The Pipe Organ, Independence Monument, and other formations in Monument Canyon are frosted with snow from an overnight storm over Colorado National Monument. Colorado River https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monumental-christmas-morning-3/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1226_CO_COLM_045v1.jpg Monumental Christmas Morning On Christmas Day, 2015, much of the Grand Valley received record snowfall for the day - as much as 6 iunches in some locations. Colorado National Monument forms the southwest border to Grand Valley and it received its fair share of the White Christmas. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/frosty-stare-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1128_CO_COLM_067v2.jpg Frosty Stare The fall rut of the Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) in Colorado National Monument was abruptly interrupted by an early winter storm over the Thanksgiving weekend. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-on-the-book-cliffs-3/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0901_CO_BookCliffs_058v1.jpg Twilight on the Book Cliffs The soft light of twilight baths the badlands of the Book Cliffs along the northern edge of Colorado's Grand Valley. The cliffs were named by John Wesley Powell on his second trip exploring the Colorado River. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-and-sunset-clash-over-the-book-cliffs-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0901_CO_BookCliffs_008v3.jpg Twilight and Sunset Clash Over the Book Cliffs A thunderstorm blocks the last blast of sunset over the Book Cliffs. Behind the storm, the sky takes on the tones of twilight while a rainbow smudges the horizon below. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/big-strike-over-grand-valley-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0827_CO_COLM_100v2.jpg Big Strike Over Grand Valley As I started heading east to intercept a line of storms sweeping in from the northwest towards Glenwood Springs and De Beque, Colorado, a new set of thunderstorms popped up to the west heading for Fruita and Colorado National Monument. A quick course correction and I was soon in position as these storms became electric. Here, two thunderstorms drop lightning over Fruita, Colorado with Monument Canyon illuminated by the near full moon in the foreground while a solitary bolt strikes the Book Cliffs in the distance from the other set of storms. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/downpour-on-grand-junction-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0827_CO_COLM_067v1.jpg Downpour on Grand Junction Two thunderstorms popped up over Fruita, Colorado, dropping a barrage of lightning as the storms drifted east across the Grand Valley. As the storms approached Grand Junction, their cores collide collapsing the convection into a downpour. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/perseid-descending-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0813_CO_COLM_097v4.jpg Perseid Descending During the peak of this year's Perseid Meteor Shower, I hiked a couple of miles into Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument to the base of Indenpence Monument for the show. It did not disappoint! Here, a Perseid meteor streaks down the length of the Milky Way. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/perseid-descending-ii-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0813_CO_COLM_040v2.jpg Perseid Descending II During the peak of this year's Perseid Meteor Shower, I hiked a couple of miles into Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument to the base of Indenpence Monument for the show. It did not disappoint! Though I was unable to capture all the meteor activity, which included a fair number of streaks across the sky near the Milky Way, I did capture a few descending down the length of the center of our galaxy. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/perseus-and-the-milky-way-over-wedding-canyon-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0813_CO_COLM_019v2.jpg Perseus and the Milky Way Over Wedding Canyon A Perseid Meteor streaks over the edge of the cliff in Monument Canyon as the core of the Milky Way galaxy rises over the Pipe Organ in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/forbidden-monument-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0729_CO_COLM_009v1.jpg Forbidden Monument The setting sun paints the cirrus clouds a vibrant peach color over a monument within Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/last-light-on-monument-canyon-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0721_CO_COLM_252v1.jpg Last Light on Monument Canyon The setting sun paints the remnants of a summer monsoon thunderstorm and bathes Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument with golden hour light. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/end-of-the-rainbow-monument-canyon-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0721_CO_COLM_231v1.jpg End of the Rainbow, Monument Canyon The end of the rainbow reaches to Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument as the sun begins to set on the remnants of a monsoon thunderstorm. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monsoon-sunset-over-monument-canyon-5/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0715_CO_COLM_125v2.jpg Monsoon Sunset Over Monument Canyon The remnants of a monsoon thunderstorm glow with the last light of the setting sun over Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monsoon-sunset-over-monument-canyon-4/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0715_CO_COLM_125v2-3.jpg Monsoon Sunset Over Monument Canyon The remnants of a monsoon thunderstorm glow with the last light of the setting sun over Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/coke-ovens-sunset-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0712_CO_COLM_009v3.jpg Coke Ovens Sunset Sunset illuminates a stack of lenticular clouds over The Coke Ovens in the back of Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sunset-at-the-coke-ovens-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0712_CO_COLM_007v2.jpg Sunset at The Coke Ovens Sunset illuminates a stack of lenticular clouds over The Coke Ovens in the back of Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/pink-and-peachy/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0611_CO_BookCliffs_082v2.jpg Pink and Peachy The last light of the day bathes the Book Cliffs in soft tones while blazing a glow across the clouds above. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-on-the-book-cliffs-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0611_CO_BookCliffs_080v2.jpg Twilight on the Book Cliffs The last light of the day bathes the Book Cliffs in soft tones while blazing a glow across the clouds above. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/tranquility-cliffs/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0611_CO_BookCliffs_080v2-2.jpg Tranquility Cliffs The last light of the day bathes the Book Cliffs in soft tones while blazing a glow across the clouds above. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/cold-winter-morning-at-independence-monument/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1203_CO_COLM_028v2.jpg Cold Winter Morning at Independence Monument A breaking winter storm over Colorado National Monument reveals a winter wonderland around Independence Monument in Monument Canyon. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/snow-morning-at-independence-monument/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1203_CO_COLM_009v1.jpg Snow Morning at Independence Monument A breaking winter storm over Colorado National Monument reveals a winter wonderland around Independence Monument in Monument Canyon. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/independence-solitude/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1203_CO_COLM_006v1.jpg Independence Solitude A breaking winter storm over Colorado National Monument reveals a winter wonderland around Independence Monument in Monument Canyon. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/breaking-winter-storm-in-monument-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1203_CO_COLM_004v2.jpg Breaking Winter Storm in Monument Canyon A breaking winter storm over Colorado National Monument reveals a winter wonderland around Independence Monument in Monument Canyon. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-milky-way-in-a-puddle/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0508_CO_COLM_006v3.jpg The Milky Way in a Puddle The rising Milky Way is reflected in a pothole of water along the cliff rim above Monument and Wedding Canyons. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/first-glow-of-morning-light-on-monument-canyon-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0506_CO_COLM_030v1-2.jpg First Glow of Morning Light on Monument Canyon Just as the sun begins to rise above Grand Mesa, the golden morning light glows over the landscape of Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/first-light-over-monument-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0506_CO_COLM_020v2.jpg First Light Over Monument Canyon Morning twilight colors the sky and brightens Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Monument Canyon is carved deeply into the Wingate Sandstone that forms the rim of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Colorado National Monument towers over the Colorado River and forms the southwest border to Grand Valley. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monumental-light/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0503_CO_COLM_154v1.jpg Monumental Light The Grand View overlook along Rim Rock Drive in Colorado National Monument offers a spectacular view looking down Monument Canyon at Independence Monument. This monolith of Wingate Sandstone (petrified sand dunes from 200 million years ago) is all that is left of the wall that separated Monument and Wedding Canyons. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/evening-at-idependence-monument/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0428_CO_COLM_013v2.jpg Evening at Idependence Monument As evening sets in over Independence Monument and the Grand Valley, the last light of the sun reach over the hortizon tyo paint the clouds over the Book Cliffs with warm light. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sunset-on-independence-monument/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0428_CO_COLM_005v1.jpg Sunset on Independence Monument The edge of Independence Monument glows with the warm light of a setting sun. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/good-morning-indendence-monument/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0419_CO_COLM_010v3.jpg Good Morning, Indendence Monument Early morning light baths Independence Monument and Fruita, Colorado as the first light of coming sun paints the clouds above. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/painted-sky-over-the-book-cliffs-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_006v1.jpg Painted Sky Over the Book Cliffs The Book Cliffs Range stretches from Western Colorado along the Grand Valley deep into Utah to the west. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, this section of the cliffs is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. The Mancos Shale is the ancient seabed from the Cretaceous Interior Seaway that bisected North America about 80 million years ago before this region was uplifted as part of the Colorado Plateau. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/painted-sky-over-the-book-cliffs/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_006v1-2.jpg Painted Sky Over the Book Cliffs The Book Cliffs Range stretches from Western Colorado along the Grand Valley deep into Utah to the west. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, this section of the cliffs is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. The Mancos Shale is the ancient seabed from the Cretaceous Interior Seaway that bisected North America about 80 million years ago before this region was uplifted as part of the Colorado Plateau. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/last-light-on-the-book-cliffs/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_005v3.jpg Last Light on the Book Cliffs The Book Cliffs Range stretches from Western Colorado along the Grand Valley deep into Utah to the west. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, this section of the cliffs is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. The Mancos Shale is the ancient seabed from the Cretaceous Interior Seaway that bisected North America about 80 million years ago before this region was uplifted as part of the Colorado Plateau. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/static/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0702_CO_COLM_005v3.jpg Static A power bolt of lightning snakes its way over Colorado National Monument until it finally connects with the cliffs of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/electrified/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0702_CO_COLM_004v1.jpg Electrified! a powerful anvil crawler fills the sky with fingers of lightning reaching for concentrations of ions in a tunderstorm's clouds above Colorado National Monument. powerful anvil crawler fills the sky with fingers of lightning reaching for concentrations of ions in a tunderstorm's clouds. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/unsettled-sky-over-independence-monument/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0527_CO_COLM_022v3.jpg Unsettled Sky Over Independence Monument A monsoon thunderstorm churns over Indpendencee Monument in Monument and Wedding Canyons. Cloud to cloud streaks of lightning dance overhead. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/big-thunder-over-monument-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0516_CO_COLM_001v2.jpg Big Thunder Over Monument Canyon A powerful monsoon thunderstorm passes over Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Though no lightning strikes connected with the ground, this storm boomed with thunder from cloud to cloud strikes. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/frosted-monuments-iv/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0120_CO_COLM_109v1.jpg Frosted Monuments IV The Pipe Organ, Independence Monument, and a fog shrouded Kissing Couple in Monument Canyon are frosted with snow from an overnight storm over Colorado National Monument. Colorado River https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/frosted-monuments-iii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0120_CO_COLM_108v1.jpg Frosted Monuments III The Pipe Organ, Independence Monument, and a fog shrouded Kissing Couple in Monument Canyon are frosted with snow from an overnight storm over Colorado National Monument. Colorado River https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/frosted-monuments-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0120_CO_COLM_072v1.jpg Frosted Monuments II The Pipe Organ, Independence Monument, and other formations in Monument Canyon are frosted with snow from an overnight storm over Colorado National Monument. Colorado River https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/frosted-monuments/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0120_CO_COLM_018v1.jpg Frosted Monuments The Pipe Organ, Independence Monument, and other formations in Monument Canyon are frosted with snow from an overnight storm over Colorado National Monument. Colorado River https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/frosted-coke-ovens/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0103_CO_COLM_01v1.jpg Frosted Coke Ovens a fresh coating of snow paints the back of Monument Canyon and the Coke Ovens in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monumental-christmas-morning-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1226_CO_COLM_045v1.jpg Monumental Christmas Morning On Christmas Day, 2015, much of the Grand Valley received record snowfall for the day - as much as 6 iunches in some locations. Colorado National Monument forms the southwest border to Grand Valley and it received its fair share of the White Christmas. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monumental-christmas-morning/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1226_CO_COLM_045v1-2.jpg Monumental Christmas Morning On Christmas Day, 2015, much of the Grand Valley received record snowfall for the day - as much as 6 iunches in some locations. Colorado National Monument forms the southwest border to Grand Valley and it received its fair share of the White Christmas. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monumental-christmas-snow/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1226_CO_COLM_040v1.jpg Monumental Christmas Snow On Christmas Day, 2015, much of the Grand Valley received record snowfall for the day - as much as 6 iunches in some locations. Colorado National Monument forms the southwest border to Grand Valley and it received its fair share of the White Christmas. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/frosty-stare/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1128_CO_COLM_067v2.jpg Frosty Stare The fall rut of the Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) in Colorado National Monument was abruptly interrupted by an early winter storm over the Thanksgiving weekend. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/490/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0901_CO_BookCliffs_020v2.jpg Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/489/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0901_CO_BookCliffs_020v2.jpg Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-and-sunset-clash-over-the-book-cliffs-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0901_CO_BookCliffs_013v1.jpg Twilight and Sunset Clash Over the Book Cliffs II A thunderstorm blocks the last blast of sunset over the Book Cliffs. Behind the storm, the sky takes on the tones of twilight while a rainbow smudges the horizon below. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-and-sunset-clash-over-the-book-cliffs/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0901_CO_BookCliffs_008v3.jpg Twilight and Sunset Clash Over the Book Cliffs A thunderstorm blocks the last blast of sunset over the Book Cliffs. Behind the storm, the sky takes on the tones of twilight while a rainbow smudges the horizon below. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/big-strike-over-grand-valley/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0827_CO_COLM_100v2.jpg Big Strike Over Grand Valley As I started heading east to intercept a line of storms sweeping in from the northwest towards Glenwood Springs and De Beque, Colorado, a new set of thunderstorms popped up to the west heading for Fruita and Colorado National Monument. A quick course correction and I was soon in position as these storms became electric. Here, two thunderstorms drop lightning over Fruita, Colorado with Monument Canyon illuminated by the near full moon in the foreground while a solitary bolt strikes the Book Cliffs in the distance from the other set of storms. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/downpour-on-grand-junction/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0827_CO_COLM_067v1.jpg Downpour on Grand Junction Two thunderstorms popped up over Fruita, Colorado, dropping a barrage of lightning as the storms drifted east across the Grand Valley. As the storms approached Grand Junction, their cores collide collapsing the convection into a downpour. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/perseid-descending/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0813_CO_COLM_097v4.jpg Perseid Descending During the peak of this year's Perseid Meteor Shower, I hiked a couple of miles into Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument to the base of Indenpence Monument for the show. It did not disappoint! Here, a Perseid meteor streaks down the length of the Milky Way. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/perseid-descending-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0813_CO_COLM_040v2.jpg Perseid Descending II During the peak of this year's Perseid Meteor Shower, I hiked a couple of miles into Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument to the base of Indenpence Monument for the show. It did not disappoint! Though I was unable to capture all the meteor activity, which included a fair number of streaks across the sky near the Milky Way, I did capture a few descending down the length of the center of our galaxy. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/perseus-and-the-milky-way-over-wedding-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0813_CO_COLM_019v2.jpg Perseus and the Milky Way Over Wedding Canyon A Perseid Meteor streaks over the edge of the cliff in Monument Canyon as the core of the Milky Way galaxy rises over the Pipe Organ in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/forbidden-monument/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0729_CO_COLM_009v1.jpg Forbidden Monument The setting sun paints the cirrus clouds a vibrant peach color over a monument within Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/last-light-on-monument-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0721_CO_COLM_252v1.jpg Last Light on Monument Canyon The setting sun paints the remnants of a summer monsoon thunderstorm and bathes Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument with golden hour light. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/end-of-the-rainbow-monument-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0721_CO_COLM_231v1.jpg End of the Rainbow, Monument Canyon The end of the rainbow reaches to Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument as the sun begins to set on the remnants of a monsoon thunderstorm. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monumental-rainbow/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0721_CO_COLM_205v3.jpg Monumental Rainbow A post thunderstorm double rainbow arcs over Monument Mesa in Colorado Natrironal Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monsoon-sunset-over-monument-canyon-3/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0715_CO_COLM_125v2.jpg Monsoon Sunset Over Monument Canyon The remnants of a monsoon thunderstorm glow with the last light of the setting sun over Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monsoon-sunset-over-monument-canyon-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0715_CO_COLM_125v2-3.jpg Monsoon Sunset Over Monument Canyon The remnants of a monsoon thunderstorm glow with the last light of the setting sun over Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monsoon-sunset-over-monument-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0715_CO_COLM_125v2-2.jpg Monsoon Sunset Over Monument Canyon The remnants of a monsoon thunderstorm glow with the last light of the setting sun over Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monsoon-sunset-over-the-book-cliffs-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0715_CO_COLM_106v2.jpg Monsoon Sunset Over the Book Cliffs The last blast of the sun as it sets baths clouds and the Book Cliffs in warm, golden light. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monsoon-sunset-over-the-book-cliffs/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0715_CO_COLM_106v2-2.jpg Monsoon Sunset Over the Book Cliffs The last blast of the sun as it sets baths clouds and the Book Cliffs in warm, golden light. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/a-slice-of-rainbow-over-monument-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0715_CO_COLM_060v3.jpg A Slice of Rainbow Over Monument Canyon As a late afternoon thunderstorm receeds into the distance, a vibrant slice of a rainbow forms over Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/coke-ovens-sunset/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0712_CO_COLM_009v3.jpg Coke Ovens Sunset Sunset illuminates a stack of lenticular clouds over The Coke Ovens in the back of Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sunset-at-the-coke-ovens/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0712_CO_COLM_007v2.jpg Sunset at The Coke Ovens Sunset illuminates a stack of lenticular clouds over The Coke Ovens in the back of Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/big-strike-over-colorado-national-monument-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0710_CO_COLM_013v4.jpg Big Strike Over Colorado National Monument A postive cloud to ground (CG) lightning strike connects with the rim of the Uncompahgre Plateau along the northwest edge of Colorado National Monument. Most lighting in a thunderstorm is negative CG and originates from the bottom of the storm where negative ions accumulate; the lightning connects these with positive ions on the ground. Postive CG originates from the postive ions that accumulate in the upper updraft of the tunderstorm; these strikes connect with negative ions on the ground. Though less frequent, postive CG is usually orders of magnitude more powerful and can reach ten miles from the storm to find a connection. Hence the term "bolt from the blue" Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/positively-electrifying-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0710_CO_COLM_013v4-2.jpg Positively Electrifying A postive cloud to ground (CG) lightning strike connects with the rim of the Uncompahgre Plateau along the northwest edge of Colorado National Monument. Most lighting in a thunderstorm is negative CG and originates from the bottom of the storm where negative ions accumulate; the lightning connects these with positive ions on the ground. Postive CG originates from the postive ions that accumulate in the upper updraft of the tunderstorm; these strikes connect with negative ions on the ground. Though less frequent, postive CG is usually orders of magnitude more powerful and can reach ten miles from the storm to find a connection. Hence the term "bolt from the blue" Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/big-strike-over-colorado-national-monument/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0710_CO_COLM_013v3.jpg Big Strike Over Colorado National Monument A postive cloud to ground (CG) lightning strike connects with the rim of the Uncompahgre Plateau along the northwest edge of Colorado National Monument. Most lighting in a thunderstorm is negative CG and originates from the bottom of the storm where negative ions accumulate; the lightning connects these with positive ions on the ground. Postive CG originates from the postive ions that accumulate in the upper updraft of the tunderstorm; these strikes connect with negative ions on the ground. Though less frequent, postive CG is usually orders of magnitude more powerful and can reach ten miles from the storm to find a connection. Hence the term "bolt from the blue" Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/positively-electrifying/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0710_CO_COLM_013v3-2.jpg Positively Electrifying A postive cloud to ground (CG) lightning strike connects with the rim of the Uncompahgre Plateau along the northwest edge of Colorado National Monument. Most lighting in a thunderstorm is negative CG and originates from the bottom of the storm where negative ions accumulate; the lightning connects these with positive ions on the ground. Postive CG originates from the postive ions that accumulate in the upper updraft of the tunderstorm; these strikes connect with negative ions on the ground. Though less frequent, postive CG is usually orders of magnitude more powerful and can reach ten miles from the storm to find a connection. Hence the term "bolt from the blue" Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/canyon-with-a-view-ii-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-1025_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_036v2-CK2.jpg Canyon with a View II 30" x 45" 24" x 36" Upper Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/canyon-skylight-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-1025_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_034v2-CK2.jpg Canyon Skylight 30" x 60" 24" x 48" Upper Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-dragon-rises-at-night-3/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-1025_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_033v3-CK2.jpg The Dragon Rises at Night 30" x 60" 24" x 48" Upper Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-dragon-rises-at-night-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-1025_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_033v3-CK1.jpg The Dragon Rises at Night 30" x 60" 24" x 48" Upper Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/459/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0924_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_260v1-CK1.jpg 30" x 45" 24" x 36" https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/night-though-the-dragons-bite-3/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0914_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_043v3-CK2.jpg Night Though the Dragon's Bite 30" x 60" 24" x 48" Upper Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/night-though-the-dragons-bite-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0914_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_043v3-CK1.jpg Night Though the Dragon's Bite 30" x 60" 24" x 48" Upper Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/456/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0914_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_025v2-CK2.jpg 30" x 60" 24" x 48" Upper Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/455/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0914_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_025v2-CK1.jpg 30" x 45" 24" x 36" Upper Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-lady-in-the-crack-at-night-3/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0815_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_003v2-CK2.jpg The Lady in the Crack at Night 30" x 60" 24" x 48" Upper Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-lady-in-the-crack-at-night-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0815_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_003v2-CK1.jpg The Lady in the Crack at Night 30" x 45" 24" x 36" Upper Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/452/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0630_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_016v2-CK2.jpg 30" x 60" 24" x 48" Upper Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/451/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0630_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_016v2-CK1.jpg 30" x 60" 24" x 48" Upper Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/antelopes-passage-into-night-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0630_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_005v4_CK1.jpg Antelope's Passage into Night 30" x 60" 24" x 48" Upper Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/449/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-0711_CO_COLM_029v1.jpg Colorado National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/448/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0411_CO_MtGarfield_006v2.jpg Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/447/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0411_CO_MtGarfield_006v1.jpg Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/446/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0411_CO_MtGarfield_003v2.jpg Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/445/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0411_CO_MtGarfield_003v1.jpg Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/444/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0919_CO_MtGarfield_078v1.jpg Mt. Garfield https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/443/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0919_CO_MtGarfield_077v1.jpg Mt. Garfield https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/442/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0919_CO_MtGarfield_075v1.jpg Mt. Garfield https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/quiet-moment-at-mt-garfield/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0919_CO_MtGarfield_074v1.jpg Quiet Moment at Mt. Garfield Mt. Garfield https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/440/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0513_CO_BookCliffs_017v4.jpg Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/439/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0513_CO_BookCliffs_017v4-2.jpg Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/438/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_032v1.jpg Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-over-mt-garfield-3/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_029v4.jpg Twilight Over Mt. Garfield Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-over-mt-garfield-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_029v3.jpg Twilight Over Mt. Garfield Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-over-mt-garfield/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_029v2.jpg Twilight Over Mt. Garfield Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/tweilight-on-mt-garfield/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_028v2.jpg Tweilight on Mt. Garfield Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-on-mt-garfield/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_028v1.jpg Twilight on Mt. Garfield Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/432/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_015v3.jpg Mt. Garfield, a prominent feature of the Book Cliffs Range that stretches from Western Colorado deep into Utah to the west, stands approximately 1,500 feet above the Gand Valley. Composed mostly of Mancos Shale badlands along its flanks, the Book Cliffs that run along the northern edge of the Grand Valley is capped by Mesa Verde Sandstone. This top layer of sandstone protects the softer shale below from quickly eroding away. Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/431/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_013v3.jpg Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/430/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0908_CO_BookCliffs_004v1.jpg Book Cliffs https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/peek-a-boo/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0316_UT_GSENM_027v1.jpg Peek-A-Boo! Peek-a-Boo Canyon, in the Escalante Canyons area of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Momunent, features a number of holes punched through the Navajo Sandstone by the erosive force of flash flood water. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monument-valley-in-antelope-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-1123_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_080v1.jpg Monument Valley in Antelope Canyon High overhead in Upper Antelope Canyon is a formation that, when the reflected light is just right, looks like The Mitten formation from Monument Valley at Sunrise. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-monument-valley-of-antelope-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-1123_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_068v1.jpg The Monument Valley of Antelope Canyon High overhead in Upper Antelope Canyon is a formation that, when the reflected light is just right, looks like The Mitten formation from Monument Valley at Sunrise. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/wall-of-fire-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-1123_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_018v1.jpg Wall of Fire In the back of Upper Antelope Canyon, directly reflected light illuminates the Navajo Sandstone walls creating what is named the Wall of Fire. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/fire-cave/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-1123_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_008v1.jpg Fire Cave In the back of Upper Antelope Canyon, directly reflected light illuminates the Navajo Sandstone walls creating what is named the Wall of Fire. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-bear-and-the-honey-pot-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0924_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_157v1.jpg The Bear and the Honey Pot II When looking back towards the entrance of Upper Antelope Canyon, the outline of a sitting bear emerges from the walls when bright reflections illuminate the opening folds of the canyon brighter than the first chamber. A hole in the Navajo Sandstone hides a small arch where water pours through; the minerals in this water "stains" the wall in such a way to look like a seteam of honey in front of the bear. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/crashing-waves-of-sandstone/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0924_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_122v1.jpg Crashing Waves of Sandstone The Navajo call Lower Antelope Canyon Hasdestwazi, or "spiral rock arches"; for many long time locals, it is simply know as the Corkscrew. Its twisting passage through the petrified sand dunes of the Navajo Sandstone can feel like a fissure in the earth's crust when the sun's light bounces and illuminates the swirling stone in hues of a burning fire. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-other-side-of-the-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0924_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_101v1.jpg The Other Side of the Arch At the heart of Lower Antelope Canyon, Lady in the Wind Arch hangs from the wall well above the heads of those wind their way through the narrow slot canyon. Features like this arch are truly spectacular examples of the force of moving water. This is the view from the other side of that arch. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/lady-in-the-wind-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0924_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_094v1.jpg Lady in the Wind Arch At the heart of Lower Antelope Canyon, Lady in the Wind Arch hangs from the wall well above the heads of those wind their way through the narrow slot canyon. Features like this arch are truly spectacular examples of the force of moving water. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-tunnel-in-canyon-x/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0916_AZ_CanyonX_028v1.jpg The Tunnel in Canyon X It should not be surprising that Slot Canyons have their own arches — or maybe more accurate, bridges as flowing water creates sandstone bridges while freezing and thawing water creates arches — and Canyon X is among them. This small tunnel through the sandstone high on the wall reveals where the fierrce water punched through from one chamber to another. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/night-though-the-dragons-bite/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0914_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_043v3-2.jpg Night Though the Dragon's Bite Slot canyons are a different world at night. When illuminated from within instead of light filtered from above, Antelope Canyon's sculpted walls of Navajo Sandstone reveal their true nature and form. Add in a glimpse of the Colorado Plateau's star-filled dark night skies as revealed here through the Dragon's Bite and the canyon becomes otherworldly. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/undulation/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0905_AZ_CanyonX_015v2.jpg Undulation The raging waters of a flash flood carve deeply into the Navajo Sandstone walls of the canyon. Because of the narrowness of the canyon, the water churns and boils through the slot, which scults the sandstone, sometimes as if to leave behind a record of its travels. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/looking-up/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0904_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_064v1.jpg Looking Up The sculpted curves of slot canyons carved into Navajo Sandstone, such as Lower Antelope Canyon, often wind their way deeply through the stone where only a glimpse of the sky can be seen when looking up. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/fire-wave/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0801_AZ_CanyonX_084v1.jpg Fire Wave During the summer months when the sun is at its highest place in the sky, sunlight strikes a little deeper into the lower slot of Canyon X allowing its reflected light to reach deep into the canyon where it glows like the light of a fire. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/skylight-in-the-hallway/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0604_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_142v3.jpg Skylight in the Hallway A narrow shaft of sunlight penetrates into the area that separates the first and second chamber of Upper Antelope Canyon Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/light-through-the-antelopes-eye/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0604_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_059v3.jpg Light Through the Antelope's Eye Deep in the center of Lower Antelope Canyon a hanging arch is carved through a fin of Navajo Sandstone. Mid-morning, a shaft of sunlight pierces the arch striking the canyon floor. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-lava-tube/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0604_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_005v1.jpg The Lava Tube Reflected morning sunlight baths the curves of Lower Antelope Canyon; the Navajo Sandstone glows like lava. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/ghostly-light/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0530_AZ_CanyonX_014v1.jpg Ghostly Light A ghostly beam of light slashes through the deepest part of Canyon X. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-heart-of-canyon-x/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0504_AZ_CanyonX_092v1.jpg The Heart of Canyon X Flash flood waters carve many shapes and forms into the slot canyon walls. Sometimes, at just the right angle, they shapes and forms become familiar. Some even become the heart of the canyon. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-bear-and-the-honey-pot-i/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0504_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_029v1.jpg The Bear and the Honey Pot I When looking back towards the entrance of Upper Antelope Canyon, the outline of a sitting bear emerges from the walls when bright reflections illuminate the opening folds of the canyon brighter than the first chamber. A hole in the Navajo Sandstone hides a small arch where water pours through; the minerals in this water "stains" the wall in such a way to look like a seteam of honey in front of the bear. Upper Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-torch-of-canyon-x/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0417_AZ_CanyonX_024v1.jpg The Torch of Canyon X Deep slot canyons are illuminated by light entering the narrow opening at the top of the canyon, often at an angle. As this light descends by reflecting from wall to wall, the nature and color of that light changes. At the top of the canyon, the light is bright and fierce. As it reflects deeper intot he canyon, it warms and softens. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-funnel-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-1229_AZ_CanyonX_035.jpg The Funnel II Slot Canyons are full of curves carved by the flowing watrers of flash floods. When you connect the curves and explore that connecdtion at different angles, the play of shape and light and color canyon be quite sublime. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-blues/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-1229_AZ_CanyonX_020v1.jpg The Blues Deep slot canyons are illuminated by light entering the narrow opening at the top of the canyon, often at an angle. As this light descends by reflecting from wall to wall, the nature and color of that light changes. At the top of the canyon, the light is bright and fierce. As it reflects deeper intot he canyon, it warms and softens. If the canyon is deep enough, the reflected light can cool into blues and purples. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-funnel/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-1109_AZ_CanyonX_029v1.jpg The Funnel Slot Canyons are full of curves carved by the flowing watrers of flash floods. When you connect the curves and explore that connecdtion at different angles, the play of shape and light and color canyon be quite sublime. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/easter-island/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0922_AZ_CanyonX_020v1.jpg Easter Island The flash floods that create and sculpt slot canyons, at times unwittingly recreate art. This section of Canyon X features a statue that looks to have been transported from Easter Island. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/after-the-flood/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0818_AZ_CanyonX_055v1.jpg After the Flood During the monsoon season, flash floods through the slot canyons of the Colorado Plateau can be a common occurrence. If the flood waters are deep enough, the canyon bottoms can be submerged under pools of water for days or weeks. But, eventually these pools begin to dry into a thick mud before returning back to dust. As the mud dries, it will crack as the moisture evaporates and the surface shrinks. These mud cracks will curl and form an artistic pattern in the sand. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/ghost-flame/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0730_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_132v5.jpg Ghost Flame At high noon in the heart of summer, Upper Antelope Canyon is pierced with numerous light beams. Some of these shafts of sunlight are narrow and brief while others are wide swatches of light. In the second chamber below the "Grim Reaper" formation, a long and narrow ribbon of light glows with the reflecting light off falling sand. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/transporter-beam/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0706_AZ_CanyonX_405v1.jpg Transporter Beam In the weeks surrounding the Summer Solstice, a beam of sunlight reaches deep into the bowels of Canyon X illuminating the sculpted Navajo Sandstone walls of the slot canyon. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/solstice-of-light/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0706_AZ_CanyonX_369v1.jpg Solstice of Light In the weeks surrounding the Summer Solstice, a beam of sunlight reaches deep into the bowels of Canyon X illuminating the sculpted Navajo Sandstone walls of the slot canyon. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-beam/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0706_AZ_CanyonX_040v1.jpg The Beam In the weeks surrounding the Summer Solstice, a beam of sunlight reaches deep into the bowels of Canyon X illuminating the sculpted Navajo Sandstone walls of the slot canyon. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-torch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0629_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_062v2.jpg The Torch Upper Antelope Canyon's Wall of Fire glows like the light of a torch as morning sunlight reflects from one wall of Navajo Sandstone across the canyon to another. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/wall-of-fire/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0629_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_057v1.jpg Wall of Fire In the back of Upper Antelope Canyon, directly reflected light illuminates the Navajo Sandstone walls creating what is named the Wall of Fire. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sands-of-time/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0629_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_046v2.jpg Sands of Time Sand is the building blocks of slot canyons. Every cubic inch of Navajo Sandstone in a slot canyon is comprised of grains of iron-rich grains of quartz sand that has been compressed into rock. As flash floods scour and sculpt the canyon walls, it puverizes the sandstone back into sand. The canyons are literally full of sand. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/canyon-moods/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0629_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_062v2.jpg Canyon Moods Light within slot canyons often mus reflect from wall to wall as it descends into the canyon. This light also changes throughout the day as the angle of the sun rises and falls. At times, this leads to dark and moody light at the bottom of deep areas of the canyon. Antelope Canyon,Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/handhold-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0629_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_008v2.jpg Handhold Arch Near where Lower Antelope Canyon plunges towards the Colorado River, currently wityhin Lake Powell, there was a small arch created by cavitations of the flash flood waters boiling through the narrow canyon. Sadly, this arch broke off in a flash flood event a few years after this photo was taken. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/narrow-passage-to-the-next-room/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0605_AZ_CanyonX_326v1.jpg Narrow Passage to the Next Room The lower slot in Canyon X is very deep with a number of chambers that open up below the narrow fissure at the top of the canyon. The passages between these chambers are narrow choke points where the water creates rounded edges of sculpted sandstone. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/illumination/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0605_AZ_CanyonX_292v3.jpg Illumination In the weeks surrounding the Summer Solstice, a beam of sunlight reaches deep into the bowels of Canyon X illuminating the sculpted Navajo Sandstone walls of the slot canyon. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/ghost-beam/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0605_AZ_CanyonX_257v1.jpg Ghost Beam In the weeks surrounding the Summer Solstice, a beam of sunlight reaches deep into the bowels of Canyon X illuminating the sculpted Navajo Sandstone walls of the slot canyon. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/alcove-too/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0522_AZ_CanyonX_087v1.jpg Alcove Too Canyon X is divided into two distinct slot canyons. While the lower canyon is deep where sunlight must reflect several times to reach the bottom, the upper canyon is shallower and the light is brighter and more vivrant throughout the canyon much of the day. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/alcove/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0514_AZ_CanyonX_072v1.jpg Alcove Canyon X is divided into two distinct slot canyons. While the lower canyon is deep where sunlight must reflect several times to reach the bottom, the upper canyon is shallower and the light is brighter and more vivrant throughout the canyon much of the day. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/a-star-is-born-in-canyon-x/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0514_AZ_CanyonX_002v2.jpg A Star is Born in Canyon X Deep within the lower slot of Canyon X, sunlight is fleeting. Shadows are mixed with light that has reflected from wall-to-wall. Near midday, as the sun passes overhead, a narrow ray of light may reach deep into the canyon as it penatrates through the maze of sandstone carved by the flooding waters of monsoon season. Canyon X ,Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/waves/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0506_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_025v1.jpg Waves In the end, nothing stops water. Water will eventually carve through anything and everything. When flash flood waters carve through Navajo Sandstone, it creates artistic abstract scupltures defined by the edges, the curves, and bedding of the sandstone. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/billows/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0506_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_023v1.jpg Billows In the end, nothing stops water. Water will eventually carve through anything and everything. When flash flood waters carve through Navajo Sandstone, it creates artistic abstract scupltures defined by the edges, the curves, and bedding of the sandstone. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/deep-within-canyon-x-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0502_AZ_CanyonX_011v2.jpg Deep Within Canyon X In the upper watershed of now famous Antelope Canyon, a slot canyon exists in relative obscurity with its own personality different from its downstream siblings. Deep within lower Canyon X, light works hard to reach the sandy floor; its reflections transforming the light, first yellow, then orange, and finally red before the shadows consume it. Also unlike its rivals downstream, Canyon X is far less visited; yet, no less spectacular. Limited to no more than six or seven photographers a day, solitude and moments of reflection can be found without any more effort than opening your soul. Canyon X ,Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-ledge/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0424_AZ_CanyonX_008v3.jpg The Ledge In the end, nothing stops water. Water will eventually carve through anything and everything. When flash flood waters carve through Navajo Sandstone, it creates artistic abstract scupltures defined by the edges, the curves, and bedding of the sandstone. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/in-profile/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0420_AZ_CanyonX_018v1.jpg In Profile In the end, nothing stops water. Water will eventually carve through anything and everything. When flash flood waters carve through Navajo Sandstone, it creates artistic abstract scupltures defined by the edges, the curves, and bedding of the sandstone. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/wall-on-fire/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0414_AZ_AntelopeCanyon_Lower_010v2.jpg Wall on Fire The narrow passages of Lower Antelope Canyon create layers of reflected light; the more the light reflects from wall-to-wall the deeper its color becomes. And, the curves of the canyon often obsure where direct sunlight falls on the canyon walls allowing for the the brighter reflections to be framed by the deeper reflections. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/deep-in-the-slot/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0414_AZ_AntelopeCanyon_Lower_006v1.jpg Deep in the Slot Even in a familiar landscape, new photograph present themselves regular. I've been through the lower section of Antelope Canyon - a twisted, sculpted gash in the Navajo Sandstone predominant throughout the Glen Canyon region - a number of times over the last eight years. And each time, I've focused on mostly the same areas trying to get the best shot for each location. Each time, I have also encountered new scenes or a fresh vision on the light. Recently, as I worked up from the bottom of the canyon, the mid-morning light of spring reflected multiple times as it reached deep into a part of the the slot canyon I hadn't really noticed before, which revealed a fresh look at one of my favorite locations at the heart of the Colorado Plateau. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/like-a-sheet-in-the-wind/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0414_AZ_AntelopeCanyon_Lower_003v3.jpg Like a Sheet in the Wind In the end, nothing stops water. Water will eventually carve through anything and everything. When flash flood waters carve through Navajo Sandstone, it creates artistic abstract scupltures defined by the edges, the curves, and bedding of the sandstone. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/where-the-water-made-a-sharp-turn/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0331_AZ_CanyonX_015v1.jpg Where the Water Made a Sharp Turn Slot Canyons are carved by the erosive force of flash floods. These floods rip through the soft Navajo Sandstone taking advantage of weaknesses such as cracks and fissures. In this secftion of Canyon X, the fast moving waters make an alomst 180° turn, creating a a sharp curve and a distictive fine of sandstone that reaches from hear the top of the canyon to the sandy floor. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/deep-within-canyon-x/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0331_AZ_CanyonX_005v1.jpg Deep Within Canyon X Antelope Canyon is not the only stellar slot canyon on the Colorado Plateau. Canyon X, upstream from Antelope Canyon,is just as striking when the reflected sunlight reaches deep into the canyon sculpted by desert flash floods. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/deep-in-canyon-x/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1017_AZ_CanyonX_009v1_HDR.jpg Deep in Canyon X Deep in the lower slot of Canyon X, the sun rarely penetrates to the canyon floor. Instead it filters through the twists and turns of the scuplted Navajo Sandstone of the canyon walls, reflecting back and forth into the canyon's depths. The lower the light bounces into the canyon, the darker and deeper its color becomes. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/antelopes-flame/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1014_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_002v2.jpg Antelope's Flame The Navajo call Lower Antelope Canyon Hasdestwazi, or "spiral rock arches"; to many long time locals, it is simply know as the Corkscrew. Its twisting passage through the petrified sand dunes of the Navajo Sandstone can feel like a fissure in the earth's crust when the sun's light bounces and illuminates the swirling stone in the hues of a burning fire. Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/a-portal-opens-in-canyon-x/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0702_AZ_CanyonX_101v1.jpg A Portal Opens in Canyon X Deep in the lower slot of Canyon X, the sun only penetrates to the canyon floor for an exceptionally brief period around the Summer Solstice. A beam of light appears and disappears several time as the sun moves across the sky. Its first appearance crawls down from the rock wall to briefly illuminate the canyon floor at a narrow point between two rooms. Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/rocks-on-fire/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0625_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_012v5.jpg Rocks on Fire The Navajo call Lower Antelope Canyon Hasdestwazi, or "spiral rock arches"; for many long time locals, it is simply know as the Corkscrew. Its twisting passage through the petrified sand dunes of the Navajo Sandstone can feel like a fissure in the earth's crust when the sun's light bounces and illuminates the swirling stone in hues of a burning fire. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-fissure-3/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0625_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_011v3.jpg The Fissure The Navajo call Lower Antelope Canyon Hasdestwazi, or "spiral rock arches;' to many long time locals, it is simply know as the Corkscrew. Its twisting passage through the petrified sand dunes of the Navajo Sandstone can feel like a fissure in the earth's crust when the sun's light bounces and illuminates the swirling stone in hues of a burning fire. Antelope Canyon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-fissure-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0625_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_010v2.jpg The Fissure The Navajo call Lower Antelope Canyon Hasdestwazi, or "spiral rock arches;' to many long time locals, it is simply know as the Corkscrew. Its twisting passage through the petrified sand dunes of the Navajo Sandstone can feel like a fissure in the earth's crust when the sun's light bounces and illuminates the swirling stone in hues of a burning fire. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/carved-by-time/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0422_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_049v3.jpg Carved By Time Carved through iron rich Navajo Sandstone, Antelope Canyon is one the many slot canyons of the Colorado Plateau sculpted by flash floods during the monsoon season of late summer. Though these slot canyons are carved into many different geological layers of sandstone and limestone, it is the Navajo Sandstone, formed from the petrified sand dunes of a large Jurassic desert similar to the Sahara Desert of today, that often become the richest canvas for the flash floods to carve their masterpieces through. These canyons become otherworldly sculptures of stone that slowly evolve over time. The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is Tse' bighanilini, which means "the place where water runs through rocks." Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-portal/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0422_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_004v4.jpg The Portal Carved through iron rich Navajo Sandstone, Antelope Canyon is one the many slot canyons of the Colorado Plateau sculpted by flash floods during the monsoon season of late summer. Though these slot canyons are carved into many different geological layers of sandstone and limestone, it is the Navajo Sandstone, formed from the petrified sand dunes of a large Jurassic desert similar to the Sahara Desert of today, that often become the richest canvas for the flash floods to carve their masterpieces through. The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is Tse' bighanilini, which means "the place where water runs through rocks." It is one of the largest attractions for those traveling through the Glen Canyon area, especially during mid-day when the summer light of the afternoon streams straight down into the canyon through the narrow opening at the top of the canyon that act like a lens, which focuses beams of etherial light into the cavern below. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/stick-season-1/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-1007_CO_Silverjack_119v2.jpg Stick Season #1 Stick Season... That period of time after all the leaves have fallen from the Quaking Aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) and the first real snow of winter that blankets the landscape. An aspen tree isn't really one tree… it is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine sapplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, evetually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/wheres-skull-rock/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0320_CA_JOTR_031v2.jpg Where's Skull Rock One of the defining features of Joshua Tree National Park is the monzogranite. Formed deep in the earth and then exposed by erosion, these rocks are prone to fracturing, which produces artistic abstractions. In the Jumbo Rocks area of the park, Skull Rock is one of the most obvious formations in the park. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/geological-abstract-697/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1029_CA_JOTR_373v2.jpg Geological Abstract #697 One of the defining features of Joshua Tree National Park is the monzogranite. Formed deep in the earth and then exposed by erosion, these rocks are prone to fracturing, which produces artistic abstractions. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/cacophony-of-curves/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0927_CO_Ophir_015v1.jpg Cacophony of Curves Deep in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, an old stand of Quaking Aspens (Populus tremuloides) grows on a hillside. Their unusual curvy shape is likely due to a heavy burden of snow pressing down on the base of the trees when they were just saplings, forcing them to curve in this manner. These curved aspens are likely all part of the same root clone. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-at-the-horse-barn-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0619_UT_CARE_011v8.jpg Midnight at the Horse Barn The old horse barn in the Fruita Historic District in Capitol Reef National Park is still in use today by the National Park Service. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/fire-on-the-kilns/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0427_CO_COLM_001v3.jpg Fire on the Kilns The first slash of sunlight reaches to the back of Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument, painting the edges of the formation known as the Coke Ovens. Colorado National Monument, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/life-in-a-crack/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0325_CA_JOTR_238v2.jpg Life in a Crack A small bush lives in the cracks of the monzogranite in the Split Rock area of Josha Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/life-finds-a-way/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0325_CA_JOTR_233v2.jpg Life Finds a Way A small bush lives in the cracks of the monzogranite in the Split Rock area of Josha Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/geological-abstract-479/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0325_CA_JOTR_167v2.jpg Geological Abstract #479 A vein of quartz crystals dissects the monzogranite in the Split Rock area of Josha Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/geological-abstract-472/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0325_CA_JOTR_163v2.jpg Geological Abstract #472 A vein of quartz crystals dissects the monzogranite in the Split Rock area of Josha Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/step-house-kiva-mesa-verde/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0909_CO_MEVE_045v2.jpg Step House Kiva, Mesa Verde Step House is a little off the beaten path in Mesa Verde National Park. A cliff dwelling on the edge of Wetherill Mesa, Step House may have been the suburbs of the Mesa Verde area of clif dwellings... a little quieter, a little less hustle and bustle compared to the Cliff Palace area? Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/balcony-house-mesa-verde/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0908_CO_MEVE_031v2.jpg Balcony House, Mesa Verde Balcony House was a mid-sized cliff dwelling in the Mesa Verde area with 38 rooms that likely served as home to approximately 30 people. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/cliff-house-mesa-verde/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0904_CO_MEVE_003v2.jpg Cliff House, Mesa Verde Cliff House is the largest ruin in the Mesa Verde area with at least 150 rooms that housed around 100 people. Most of the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park are only 1-5 rooms, with some of that storage. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/god-rays-in-the-morning/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0808_UT_CANY_096v3.jpg God Rays in the Morning The sun bursts forth from the clouds over the La Sal Mountains painting the sky with corpuscular rays. Mesa Arch is a pothole arch formed when a regular pool of surface water eroded through the Navajo Sandstone, exposing the cliff below and providing a window onto Washer Woman Arch and Airport Tower. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/window-on-the-morning/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0808_UT_CANY_091v2.jpg Window on the Morning Mesa Arch frames a window on the Canyonlands of the White Rim. Mesa Arch is a pothole arch formed when a regular pool of surface water eroded through the Navajo Sandstone, exposing the cliff below and providing a window onto Washer Woman Arch and Airport Tower. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/badwater-storm-v/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0307_CA_DEVA_102v1.jpg Badwater Storm V A later winter storm churns over Badwater Basin and the Panamint Range in Death Valley National Park. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/badwater-storm-iv/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0307_CA_DEVA_096v2.jpg Badwater Storm IV A later winter storm churns over Badwater Basin and the Panamint Range in Death Valley National Park. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/badwater-storm-iii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0307_CA_DEVA_077v2.jpg Badwater Storm III A later winter storm churns over Badwater Basin and the Panamint Range in Death Valley National Park. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/badwater-storm-ii-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0307_CA_DEVA_005v4.jpg Badwater Storm II A later winter storm churns over Badwater Basin and the Panamint Range in Death Valley National Park. Telescope Peak is obscured in the clouds. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/badwater-storm-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0307_CA_DEVA_005v3.jpg Badwater Storm II A later winter storm churns over Badwater Basin and the Panamint Range in Death Valley National Park. Telescope Peak is obscured in the clouds. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/badwater-storm-i/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0307_CA_DEVA_001v4.jpg Badwater Storm I A later winter storm churns over Badwater Basin and the Panamint Range in Death Valley National Park. Telescope Peak is obscured in the clouds. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/geological-abstract-1045/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1022_UT_Hanksville_090v2.jpg Geological Abstract #1045 The Summerville Formation near Capitol Reef National Park has been carved into perfectly vertical cliffs that expose the many layets of the tidal gypsiferous mudstone and sandstone. Caineville Badlands, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/geological-abstract-1039/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1022_UT_Hanksville_068v3.jpg Geological Abstract #1039 Layer upon layer of mudstone and sandstone make up the geometric Summerville Formation on the western edge of the Caineville Badlands. Caineville Badlands, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/lonely-road-to-factory-butte/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1022_UT_FactoryButte_022-024v1.jpg Lonely Road to Factory Butte Factory Butte is a part of the same Mancos Shale badlands that ring Caineville Mesa a short distance to the west, but erosion has removed much of the shale in between, leaving Factory Butte a lonely beacon on the horizon. Factory Butte, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/castle-in-the-shale/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1022_UT_Caineville_100v1.jpg Castle in the Shale Later afternoon light paints the Mancos Shale of the Caineville Badlands. Mancos Shale is a soft sandstone formed from the seabed of the Late Cretaceous Interior Seaway that dissected what is now North America. At its greatest extent, this seaway spanned from central Utah to central Kansas. Caineville Badlands, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/evening-light-on-monument-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0721_CO_COLM_252v2.jpg Evening Light on Monument Canyon The setting sun paints the remnants of a summer monsoon thunderstorm and bathes Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument with golden hour light. Colorado National Monument, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/unsettled-air-over-monument-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0721_CO_COLM_032v6.jpg Unsettled Air Over Monument Canyon A significant monsson thunderstorm churns over the monuments of Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Shortly after this disturbance dwindled into the distance, a rainbow arced high over the canyon. Colorado National Monument, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/towering-sunset/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0214_UT_GLCA_025v3.jpg Towering Sunset Tower Butte is an icon on the Glen Canyon landscape; it is visible for many miles in all directions. It is composed of Romana and Entrada Sandstones with a caprock of Morrison Formation. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/three-little-silos/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0619_SD_SDHwy14_017v2.jpg Three Little Silos The Great Plains are dotted with grain silos. These three silos were just begging to be photographed with the low evening light painting their textures. Middle of Nowhere, South Dakota https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/drifting-over-glen-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0201_AZ_GLCA_012v1.jpg Drifting Over Glen Canyon Unsettled air from a passing winter storm makes for a dramatic sky full of drifting clouds and curtains of virga. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-boots-are-made-for-hanging/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0126_CA_DEVA_645v2.jpg The Boots Are Made for Hanging A pair of boots has been abandoned at the Ubehebe Lead Mine near Racetrack Playa in Death Vallery National Park. Death Valley is littered with abandoned mines. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/dead-rock-curve/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0125_CA_DEVA_201v1.jpg Dead Rock Curve The Racetrack of Death Valley National Park is one of just a few places where conditions are just right for the mystery of the sailing rocks. When the playa is wet and muddy in the winter and winds howl down from the surrounding mountains, rocks that have fallen down onto the playa from a nearby ridge are pushed along the surface leaving behind tracks that remain as the mud dries into summer when the Milky Way rises high above the park. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/a-journey-from-the-mountains/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0125_CA_DEVA_198v1.jpg A Journey from The Mountains The Racetrack of Death Valley National Park is one of just a few places where conditions are just right for the mystery of the sailing rocks. When the playa is wet and muddy in the winter and winds howl down from the surrounding mountains, rocks that have fallen down onto the playa from a nearby ridge are pushed along the surface leaving behind tracks that remain as the mud dries into summer when the Milky Way rises high above the park. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/bones-of-death-valley/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0125_CA_DEVA_141v2.jpg Bones of Death Valley The badlands of Zabriskie Point are carved by the water into tiny canyons that appear like the rib bones of Death Valley. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/fancy-dancer/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0831_AZ_Page_012v3.jpg Fancy Dancer A classic thunderstorm ... the flat base of the updraft column on the left with the rain core on the right and the anvil rising from there. A positive strike of lightning desends from the anvil to the ground. Navajoland, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/storm-approaching-lechee-rock/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0831_AZ_Page_002v2.jpg Storm Approaching Lechee Rock A classic thunderstorm ... the flat base of the updraft column on the left with the rain core on the right and the anvil rising from there. A positive strike of lightning desends from the anvil to the ground. Navajoland, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/slot-canyon-yin-and-yang/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0629_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_031v2.jpg Slot Canyon Yin and Yang The Navajo call Lower Antelope Canyon Hasdestwazi, or "spiral rock arches"; to many long time locals, it is simply know as the Corkscrew. Its twisting passage through the petrified sand dunes of the Navajo Sandstone have been carved over time by the forces of water and wind; the two sides of the canyon here are a yin and yang of light. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/valkerie/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0620b_ND_Linton_106v3.jpg Valkerie In late spring, a supercell thunderstorm builds over the Great Plains of the central United States. Supercell thunderstorms are the source of tornadoes; though this storm did not produce funnel, it tried hard as evident by the rotating wall cloud that reaches down towards the landscape below. North Dakota https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-mothership-sweeps-the-land/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0620b_ND_Linton_089v7.jpg The Mothership Sweeps the Land In late spring, a supercell thunderstorm builds over the Great Plains of the central United States. Supercell thunderstorms are the source of tornadoes; though this storm did not produce funnel, it tried hard as evident by the rotating wall cloud that reaches down towards the landscape below. North Dakota https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/abandoned-near-kimball/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0617_NE_Kimball_103v3.jpg Abandoned Near Kimball A ragged thunderstom churns in the sky above an abandoned building — maybe a schoolhouse? — near Kimball, Nebraska. Kimball, Nebraska https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/thunderhead-eastern-colorado/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0615a_CO_US36_006v3.jpg Thunderhead, Eastern Colorado As the spring thunderstorm season on the Great Plains moves toward summer, the storms move northward from Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas to Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming, then ultimately up to Montana and the Dakotas. Moving west along US Highway 36 in Eastern Colorado, this thunderstorm built quickly and swept across the landscape. US Hwy 36, Eastern Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/square-tower-house/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0214_CO_MEVE_094v2.jpg Square Tower House Around 1190 C.E., the inhabitants of the of Mesa Verde National Park region moved from pueblos on the mesa top to living in cliff houses below. For about 100 years, the Anasazi people built and occupied multi-room pueblos along the cliffs such as Square Tower House. Often, access to these cliff houses would require what would be considered a technical climbing route today. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/three-shamans-iii-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1123_UT_GSENM_CalfCreek_016v2.jpg Three Shamans II It is believed that the Fremont Culture (700 BCE to 1300 BCE) may have been shamanist is nature, placing a high place in society upon those with healing and other powers. Much of Fremont rock art is filled with anthropomorphic figures - often trapezoidal in shape adorned with headdresses, necklaces or breastplates, and earrings. Are these three figures found high on the sandstone walls above Calf Creek representations of Fremont shamans? Or, are they warriors or spirit figures? Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/three-shamans-iii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1123_UT_GSENM_CalfCreek_014v3.jpg Three Shamans It is believed that the Fremont Culture (700 BCE to 1300 BCE) may have been shamanist is nature, placing a high place in society upon those with healing and other powers. Much of Fremont rock art is filled with anthropomorphic figures - often trapezoidal in shape adorned with headdresses, necklaces or breastplates, and earrings. Are these three figures found high on the sandstone walls above Calf Creek representations of Fremont shamans? Or, are they warriors or spirit figures? Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/three-shamans/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1123_UT_GSENM_CalfCreek_013v2.jpg Three Shamans III It is believed that the Fremont Culture (700 BCE to 1300 BCE) may have been shamanist is nature, placing a high place in society upon those with healing and other powers. Much of Fremont rock art is filled with anthropomorphic figures - often trapezoidal in shape adorned with headdresses, necklaces or breastplates, and earrings. Are these three figures found high on the sandstone walls above Calf Creek representations of Fremont shamans? Or, are they warriors or spirit figures? Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/fremont-shaman/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1023_UT_DINO_043v3.jpg Fremont Shaman It is believed that the Fremont Culture (700 CE to 1300 CE) may have been shamanist is nature, placing a high place in society upon those with healing and other powers. Much of Fremont rock art is filled with anthropomorphic figures - often trapezoidal in shape adorned with headdresses, necklaces or breastplates, and earrings. Are these figures found throughout Dinosaur National Monument representations of Fremont shamans? Or, are they warriors or spirit figures? Dinosaur National Monument, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/324/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1006_AZ_CanyonX_049v2.jpg Canyon X, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/john-wayne-country-iii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-0826_AZ_MonumentValley_001v1.jpg John Wayne Country III Monument Valley's stark beauty is the home to numerous Navajo families, and was the backdrop for many movies in the heydey of the western. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-dance-floor/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-0720a_AZ_Page_000v4.jpg The Dance Floor An active late afternoon storm cell marches across an un-named mesa in Northern Arizona. This mesa is the origin of the waters that carve Antelope Canyon, and this storm surely led to some new erosion in this sculptured canyon. Navajoland, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sculptured-through-time/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-1110_AZ_AntelopeCanyon_Upper_050v6.jpg Sculptured Through Time From above, Antelope Canyon appears to be just a crack in the landscape. But, below this narrow slash in the ground, water and time have carved out a deep, and at times wide, cavern in the Navajo Sandstone. Flash floods sculpt the stone walls with artistic flare, and light trickles down from above, bouncing off the sandstone walls at the odd angles created by this sculpture, bathing some areas with rich light while leaving others deep in shadow. Slot canyon such as Antelope Canyon near Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Page, Arizona are passages through an ancient time when sand dunes ruled the American West and dinosaurs walked the Earth. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/raining-lightning/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0827_UT_BigWater_022v5.jpg Raining Lightning Near midnight, and six hours into the largest electrical storm seen in the area in nearly 40 years, massive bolts of lightning struck the small town of Big Water, Utah while at times, buckets of rain fell from the sky. During a break in the rain, a massive inter-cloud burst of lightning fingered out in all directions light raining bolts of lightning; this moment of electrical fury was so intense, it lit the landscape as if it were daytime. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/i-am-the-mountain-king/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0827_UT_BigWater_020v6.jpg I Am the Mountain King! A powerful monsoon thunderstorm passes low over a ridge in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument unleashing a lightning strike that spreads above the ridge line like the outstretched arms of a rising mountain god. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/cinderella--the-step-sisters/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0827_AZ_VCNM_306v5.jpg Cinderella & the Step Sisters Like something out of Cinderella, three angry strikes of lightning overshadow one plainly dressed, solitary strike. Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/swing-dancing/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0818_AZ_MarblePlatform_039v5.jpg Swing Dancing It was a very hot summer day - over 100°F - a little too hot for a mid-August day in the middle of monsoon season. Thunderstorms were not considered likely, but on a day this warm with moisture levels elevated, cumulonimbus cloud building went on all through the afternoon. By sunset, this storm cells all erupted at once. To the north, south, east, and west, four different squalls began clawing the landscape with lightning. The storm to the south swept in from the west over the Kaibab Plateau and was the most violent of the four systems. As it slowly moved across the Marble Platform, lightning spiked the earth, often striking near or into Marble Canyon where the Colorado River carves its way towards Grand Canyon. Marble Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/frankensteins-monster/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0818_AZ_MarblePlatform_038v6.jpg Frankenstein's Monster It was a very hot summer day - over 100°F - a little too hot for a mid-August day in the middle of monsoon season. Thunderstorms were not considered likely, but on a day this warm with moisture levels elevated, cumulonimbus cloud building went on all through the afternoon. By sunset, this storm cells all erupted at once. To the north, south, east, and west, four different squalls began clawing the landscape with lightning. The storm to the south swept in from the west over the Kaibab Plateau and was the most violent of the four systems. As it slowly moved across the Marble Platform, lightning spiked the earth, often striking near or into Marble Canyon where the Colorado River carves its way towards Grand Canyon. Marble Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/frazzled/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0818_AZ_MarblePlatform_036v5.jpg Frazzled It was a very hot summer day - over 100°F - a little too hot for a mid-August day in the middle of monsoon season. Thunderstorms were not considered likely, but on a day this warm with moisture levels elevated, cumulonimbus cloud building went on all through the afternoon. By sunset, this storm cells all erupted at once. To the north, south, east, and west, four different squalls began clawing the landscape with lightning. The storm to the south swept in from the west over the Kaibab Plateau and was the most violent of the four systems. As it slowly moved across the Marble Platform, lightning spiked the earth, often striking near or into Marble Canyon where the Colorado River carves its way towards Grand Canyon. Marble Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/lets-do-the-tango/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0818_AZ_MarblePlatform_033v4.jpg Let's Do the Tango It was a very hot summer day - over 100°F - a little too hot for a mid-August day in the middle of monsoon season. Thunderstorms were not considered likely, but on a day this warm with moisture levels elevated, cumulonimbus cloud building went on all through the afternoon. By sunset, this storm cells all erupted at once. To the north, south, east, and west, four different squalls began clawing the landscape with lightning. The storm to the south swept in from the west over the Kaibab Plateau and was the most violent of the four systems. As it slowly moved across the Marble Platform, lightning spiked the earth, often striking near or into Marble Canyon where the Colorado River carves its way towards Grand Canyon. This would not have be a very happy place for a raft trip to camp along the Colorado River. Marble Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/happy-dance/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0818_AZ_MarblePlatform_031v5.jpg Happy Dance It was a very hot summer day - over 100°F - a little too hot for a mid-August day in the middle of monsoon season. Thunderstorms were not considered likely, but on a day this warm with moisture levels elevated, cumulonimbus cloud building went on all through the afternoon. By sunset, this storm cells all erupted at once. To the north, south, east, and west, four different squalls began clawing the landscape with lightning. The storm to the south swept in from the west over the Kaibab Plateau and was the most violent of the four systems. As it slowly moved across the Marble Platform, lightning spiked the earth, often striking near or into Marble Canyon where the Colorado River carves its way towards Grand Canyon. Marble Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/crashing-waves-of-stone/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0625_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_012v2.jpg Crashing Waves of Stone The Navajo call Lower Antelope Canyon Hasdestwazi, or "spiral rock arches"; to many long time locals, it is simply know as the Corkscrew. Its twisting passage through the petrified sand dunes of the Navajo Sandstone have been carved over time by the forces of water and wind; often, these rocks take on other shapes such as this formation which resembles the crashing ocean waves along a rocky coast. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-fissure/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0625_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Lower_005v3-BW.jpg The Fissure The Navajo call Lower Antelope Canyon Hasdestwazi, or "spiral rock arches;' to many long time locals, it is simply know as the Corkscrew. Its twisting passage through the petrified sand dunes of the Navajo Sandstone can feel like a fissure in the earth's crust when the sun's light bounces and illuminates the swirling stone in hues of a burning fire. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/raven-in-a-tree/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2011-0101_AZ_GRCA_031v2.jpg Raven in a Tree A raven (Corvus corax) hangs out in a tree along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/big-sky-new-mexico/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2010-1219_NM_Hwy60_006v2.jpg Big Sky, New Mexico New Mexico is known for its skies. Open, long flat stretches of landscape with scattered mountain ranges coupled with blue skies and iconic clouds create that classic New Mexico Sky Tres Montasos, New Mexico https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/break-in-the-storm/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2010-1128_AZ_MarblePlatform_008v2.jpg Break in the Storm During a Thanksgiving weekend storm, clouds part briefly to reveal the sunlit and snow covered bulge of the Kaibab Plateau as it rises above the Marble Platform and Marble Canyon of the Colorado River. The next wave of snow can be seen marching in from the west on the right side of the photograph. Marble Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/a-road-into-the-storm-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2010-1021_UT_Hwy89_016v4.jpg A Road into the Storm There is nothing more interesting than a dirt road that leads you into a undiscovered landscape; especially when a storm cell adds immense drama to the sky. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/a-road-into-the-storm/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2010-1021_UT_Hwy89_003v2.jpg A Road into the Storm There is nothing more interesting than a dirt road that leads you into a undiscovered landscape; especially when a storm cell adds immense drama to the sky. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/john-wayne-country-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0323_AZ_MonumentValley_029v3.jpg John Wayne Country II Monument Valley's stark beauty is the home to numerous Navajo families, and was the backdrop for many movies in the heydey of the western. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sentinels-of-monument-valley/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0323_AZ_MonumentValley_028v2.jpg Sentinels of Monument Valley Stagecoach Butte, Bear Butte, and Rabbit and Castle Buute stand guard on the northern edge of Monument Valley. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/john-wayne-country-i/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2009-0323_AZ_MonumentValley_009v1.jpg John Wayne Country I Monument Valley's stark beauty is the home to numerous Navajo families, and was the backdrop for many movies in the heydey of the western. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/reclaimed-by-winter/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2008-1227_MI_IronRiver_028v3.jpg Reclaimed by Winter An old barn in the Iron River area of Michigan's Upper Peninsula has collapsed and is in the process of being reclaimed by winter. Iron River, Upper Peninsula, Michigan https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/flood-detritus/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2008-1018_AZ_PumphouseWash_109v3.jpg Flood Detritus Pumphouse Wash, the headwaters of Oak Creek Canyon that drains from the Mogollon Rim, is a deep canyon carved through the brown and buff colored Coconino Sandstone; the bottom of the canyon is littered with large grey boulders deposited from the Toroweap Formation above as the sandstone erodes. These boulders are swirled with other debris such as downed trees during times of flash flooding leaving behind a stew of rocks and sticks. Pumphouse Wash, Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/weathered-i/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2006-1028_SanJuanMts_CO_079v2.jpg Weathered I In the high altitudes of the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado, the detritus of abandoned mining operations big and small can be found throughout the range. It has stood through decades of sun and deep snow, which has worn on the wood and iron of its construction. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/oak-tree-house/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2006-1026_MEVE_050v1.jpg Oak Tree House Built into an impossible to reach alcove in the sandstone of Cliff Canyon in Mesa Verde National Park, Oak Tree House was a sanctuary during rough times for the Ancestrial Puebloans of the region. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/meandered/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2006-0609_GLCA_Aerial_022v3.jpg Meandered The Escalante River takes a windy path to the Colorado Ruver, and along the way it has abandoned a few of its meanders as it wears through the soft sandstones. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/deep-in-cathedral-in-the-desert/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2005-0121_UT_GLCA_CathedralInTheDesert_003v4.jpg Deep in Cathedral in the Desert Long buried beneaht the waters of Lake Powell, Cathedral in the Desert on the Escalante arm of Glen Canyon has returned from the deep on a number ocassions as a prolonged drought has slowly lowered the lake's water level. Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/heceta-head-sunset-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0725_OR_HacetaHead_069v1.jpg Heceta Head Sunset The sun sets on the Pacific Ocean at Heceta Head, painting the sky and the water in soft, yet fiery colors. Heceta Head Lighthouse. Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/heceta-head-sunset/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0725_OR_HacetaHead_069v1-2.jpg Heceta Head Sunset The sun sets on the Pacific Ocean at Heceta Head, painting the sky and the water in soft, yet fiery colors. Heceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/heceta-head-treeline/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0723_OR_HecetaHead_017v1.jpg Heceta Head Treeline The clouds obscure a setting moon providing just enough light for a stroll along the treeline above the cove at Heceta Head. Heceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/bandon-bay-rocks/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0306_OR_BandonBeach_014v3.jpg Bandon Bay Rocks Late evening clouds move in over the Sea Stacks of Bandon Beach. Bandon Beach, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/stormy-day-at-coquille-river-lighthouse/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0306_OR_Bandon_020v1v313.jpg Stormy Day at Coquille River Lighthouse A winter storm rolls in from the Pacific Ocean and the Coquille River Lighthouse stands guard over the rocky Oregon coast of Coos Bay. Bandon Beach, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/winters-day-at-coquille-river-lighthouse/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0306_OR_Bandon_020v1.jpg Winter's Day at Coquille River Lighthouse A winter storm rolls in from the Pacific Ocean and the Coquille River Lighthouse stands guard over the rocky Oregon coast of Coos Bay. Bandon Beach, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/coquille-river-sentinel/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0305_OR_SunsetBaySP_140v2.jpg Coquille River Sentinel The Coquille River Lighthouse stands guard over the rugged coastline at the mouth of the Coquille River in Coos Baty, Oregon. Sunset Bay State Park, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/reaching-for-the-trees/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0305_OR_ShoreAcresSP_265v2.jpg Reaching for the Trees A wave crashes over basalt rocks along the Oregon Coast reaching above the coastal cliff of basalt as if it needs to reach the trees. Shore Acres State Park, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/bandon-beach-rocks-ii-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0305_OR_BandonBeach_009v3.jpg Bandon Beach Rocks II Along the southern Oregon coast, Bandon-by-the-Sea is a small town known for its long beach with haystack rocks strung out along its length. Where the Coquille River meets the Pacific Ocean, Bandon Beach is a scenic stretch of the Pacific Coast where a long walk walk on the Beach is not only possible, but a regular routine of the local population. Bandon Beach, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/a-bandon-ed-pylons-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1224_OR_Bandon_077v2.jpg A-Bandon-ed Pylons II Remnants from a previous era of fishing slowly rot in the salty waters if Coos Bay. Bandon Beach, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/a-bandon-ed-pylons-i/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1224_OR_Bandon_076v3.jpg A-Bandon-ed Pylons I Remnants from a previous era of fishing slowly rot in the salty waters if Coos Bay. Bandon Beach, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/bandon-beach-rocks-iii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1224_OR_Bandon_057v2.jpg Bandon Beach Rocks III It is not nature's purpose to create art; nonetheless nature creates art. Flowing water can carve art into anything... in this case into the beach sand supporting these rocks, which themselves have been shaped by the motion of water. Bandon Beach, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/bandon-beach-rocks-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1224_OR_Bandon_051v4.jpg Bandon Beach Rocks II It is not nature's purpose to create art; nonetheless nature creates art. Flowing water can carve art into anything... in this case into the beach sand supporting these rocks, which themselves have been shaped by the motion of water. Bandon Beach, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/bandon-beach-rocks-i/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1224_OR_Bandon_051v2.jpg Bandon Beach Rocks I It is not nature's purpose to create art; nonetheless nature creates art. Flowing water can carve art into anything... in this case into the beach sand supporting these rocks, which themselves have been shaped by the motion of water. Bandon Beach https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/feeding-the-umpqua/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1221_OR_Hwy138_001v4.jpg Feeding the Umpqua A waterfall cascades through the dense forest, finding its way to the Umpqua River and on to the Pacific Ocean. Umpqua River, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/cape-creek-bridge/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1221_OR_HecetaHead_085v2.jpg Cape Creek Bridge Cape Creek Bridge, U.S. Highway 101, at Heceta Head, Oregon, is an arch bridge built in 1932. It spans a deep pine tree lined canyon that empties into a cove. Heceta Head, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/elephant-rock-boiler-bay/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1219_OR_BoilerBay_1207v2.jpg Elephant Rock, Boiler Bay Winter is the time for crashing waves along the Oregon Coast, and Boiler Bay earns it name when winter storms roll in from the Pacific Ocean, churning the water in its basalt rimmed bowl into a frenzy. This stretch of basalt rock with an arch punched through it has been eroded by the crashing waves to resemble an elephant's head an trunk. Boiler Bay, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/crashing-at-boiler-bay-v/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1219_OR_BoilerBay_0918v4.jpg Crashing at Boiler Bay V Winter is the time for crashing waves along the Oregon Coast, and Boiler Bay earns it name when winter storms roll in from the Pacific Ocean, churning the water in its basalt rimmed bowl into a frenzy. Boiler Bay, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/crashing-at-boiler-bay-iv/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1219_OR_BoilerBay_0852v2.jpg Crashing at Boiler Bay IV Winter is the time for crashing waves along the Oregon Coast, and Boiler Bay earns it name when winter storms roll in from the Pacific Ocean, churning the water in its basalt rimmed bowl into a frenzy. Boiler Bay, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/crashing-at-boiler-bay-iii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1219_OR_BoilerBay_0252v2.jpg Crashing at Boiler Bay III Winter is the time for crashing waves along the Oregon Coast, and Boiler Bay earns it name when winter storms roll in from the Pacific Ocean, churning the water in its basalt rimmed bowl into a frenzy. Boiler Bay, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/crashing-at-boiler-bay-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1219_OR_BoilerBay_0234v2.jpg Crashing at Boiler Bay II Winter is the time for crashing waves along the Oregon Coast, and Boiler Bay earns it name when winter storms roll in from the Pacific Ocean, churning the water in its basalt rimmed bowl into a frenzy. Boiler Bay, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/crashing-at-boiler-bay-i/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1219_OR_BoilerBay_0174v2.jpg Crashing at Boiler Bay I Winter is the time for crashing waves along the Oregon Coast, and Boiler Bay earns it name when winter storms roll in from the Pacific Ocean, churning the water in its basalt rimmed bowl into a frenzy. Boiler Bay, Oregon https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/an-evening-sunset-over-the-painted-wall-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-0517_CO_BACA_044v1.jpg An Evening Sunset Over the Painted Wall The receeding sunset paints the high clouds above the Painted Wall in Black Canyon oif the Gunnison National Park. The Painted Wall is an exposure of 1.8 million year old Precambien rock exposed by the erosive force of the Gunnison River. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/an-evening-sunset-over-the-painted-wall/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-0517_CO_BACA_044v1-2.jpg An Evening Sunset Over the Painted Wall The receeding sunset paints the high clouds above the Painted Wall in Black Canyon oif the Gunnison National Park. The Painted Wall is an exposure of 1.8 million year old Precambien rock exposed by the erosive force of the Gunnison River. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monsoon-evening-over-the-petrified-sand-dunes/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0826_UT_ARCH_022v1.jpg Monsoon Evening Over the Petrified Sand Dunes The remnants of an afternoon of unsettled monsoon atmosphere is pqainted with the soft evening light of the setting sun. The light reflects from the clouds and bathes the Petrified Sand Dunes of Arches National Park. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monsoon-evening-over-grand-canyon-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0713_AZ_GRCA_056v1.jpg Monsoon Evening Over Grand Canyon The unsettled atmosphere of a monsoon evening over Mather Point in Grand Canyon National Park is painted by the last light of the setting sun. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monsoon-evening-over-grand-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0713_AZ_GRCA_056v1-2.jpg Monsoon Evening Over Grand Canyon The unsettled atmosphere of a monsoon evening over Mather Point in Grand Canyon National Park is painted by the last light of the setting sun. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/unsettled-evening-at-mather-point/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0713_AZ_GRCA_039v1.jpg Unsettled Evening at Mather Point The unsettled atmosphere of a monsoon evening over Mather Point in Grand Canyon National Park is painted by the last light of the setting sun. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/evening-sets-on-the-sun-and-the-moon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0615_UT_CARE_337v1.jpg Evening Sets on The Sun and The Moon Teh last light of the setting sun paints the high clouds over The Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon in Cathedral Valley, Capitol Reef National Park. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monumental-sunrise/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0506_CO_COLM_033v1.jpg Monumental Sunrise The first kiss of sunlight bathes the Wingate Sandstone cliffs and monoliths and Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands of Monument Canyon. Monument Canyon is carved deeply into the Wingate Sandstone that forms the rim of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Colorado National Monument towers over the Colorado River and forms the southwest border to Grand Valley. Colorado National Monument, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/first-glow-of-morning-light-on-monument-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0506_CO_COLM_030v1.jpg First Glow of Morning Light on Monument Canyon Just as the sun begins to rise above Grand Mesa, the golden morning light glows over the landscape of Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument. Colorado National Monument, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/independence-sunrise/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0417_CO_COLM_005v2.jpg Independence Sunrise The rising sun floods Monument Canyon with golden light. Independence Monument stands tall at the center of the canyon. Colorado National Monument, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/last-strikes-at-green-river-overlook/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0531_UT_CANY_048v4.jpg Last Strikes at Green River Overlook After sunset killed off the afternoon thunderstorms over the northern Canyonlands National Park, a lone storm popped up over the Colorado River southwest of Green River Overlook. Unfortunately, I was just far enough away from the viewpoint that by the time I arrived I was only able to capture the last strike of lightning from the storm. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/first-light-at-the-mittens/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0510_AZ_MonumentValley_151v1.jpg First Light at the Mittens The sun bursts through the clouds backlighting the Mittens at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Navajo Nation https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monumernt-valley-by-dawns-early-light/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0510_AZ_MonumentValley_069v4.jpg Monumernt Valley By Dawn's Early Light Sentinel Mesa and the Stagecoach formation are bathed in the fiery light of another spectacular sunrise at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Navajo National https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monumernt-valley-by-dawns-early-light-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0510_AZ_MonumentValley_069v4-2.jpg Monumernt Valley By Dawn's Early Light II Sentinel Mesa and the Stagecoach formation are bathed in the fiery light of another spectacular sunrise at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Navajo Nation https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/fire-in-the-sky-over-dead-horse-point/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0321_UT_DeadHorsePt_056v1.jpg Fire in the Sky Over Dead Horse Point Sunrise at Dead Horse Point rarely disappoints. early morning light paints the clouds a fiery orange, and the light reflected from the clouds bathes the landscape along the Colorado River. Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/morning-breaking-over-dead-horse-point/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0321_UT_DeadHorsePt_036v1.jpg Morning Breaking Over Dead Horse Point Morning light paints the clouds over Dead Horse Point and the Colorado River. The Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park rises above the river in the distance. Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/winter-storm-over-the-green-river-i/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0124_UT_CANY_576v1.jpg Winter Storm Over the Green River I An unsettled airmass creates a winter storm that rakes across the White Rim and Green River in Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/winter-storm-over-the-green-river-iii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0124_UT_CANY_555v1.jpg Winter Storm Over the Green River III An unsettled airmass creates a winter storm that rakes across the White Rim and Green River in Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/winter-storm-over-the-green-river-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0124_UT_CANY_530v1.jpg Winter Storm Over the Green River II An unsettled airmass creates a winter storm that rakes across the White Rim and Green River in Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/winter-storm-over-the-green-river-iv/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0124_UT_CANY_176v1.jpg Winter Storm Over the Green River IV An unsettled airmass creates a winter storm that rakes across the White Rim and Green River in Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/on-the-edge-of-the-island-in-the-sky/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0818_UT_CANY_105v1.jpg On the Edge of the Island in the Sky Mesa Arch — a pothole arch formed when a regular pool of surface water eroded through the Navajo Sandstone, exposing the cliff below - hangs off the cliff along the Island in the Sky in Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/window-on-washer-woman-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0818_UT_CANY_093v1.jpg Window on Washer Woman Arch Washer Woman Arch and Monster Tower — fins of Wingate Sandstone below the Island in the Sky — bask in the early light of a summer day. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/good-morning-washer-woman-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0818_UT_CANY_082v1.jpg Good Morning Washer Woman Arch Washer Woman Arch and Monster Tower — fins of Wingate Sandstone below the Island in the Sky — are bathed with golden morning light. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/god-rays-over-mesa-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0808_UT_CANY_096v1.jpg God Rays Over Mesa Arch The sun bursts forth from the clouds over the La Sal Mountains painting the sky with corpuscular rays. Mesa Arch is a pothole arch formed when a regular pool of surface water eroded through the Navajo Sandstone, exposing the cliff below and providing a window onto Washer Woman Arch and Airport Tower. Canyonlands National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/window-on-the-canyonlands/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0808_UT_CANY_091v1.jpg Window on the Canyonlands Mesa Arch frames a window on the Canyonlands of the White Rim. Mesa Arch is a pothole arch formed when a regular pool of surface water eroded through the Navajo Sandstone, exposing the cliff below and providing a window onto Washer Woman Arch and Airport Tower. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/morning-glow-at-mesa-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0808_UT_CANY_090v3.jpg Morning Glow at Mesa Arch The first light at Mesa Arch bathes the landscape in a glowing warm light. Mesa Arch is a pothole arch formed when a regular pool of surface water eroded through the Navajo Sandstone, exposing the cliff below and providing a window onto Washer Woman Arch and Airport Tower. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sunburst-at-mesa-arch-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0808_UT_CANY_079v1.jpg Sunburst at Mesa Arch The sun bursts through a low layer of clouds over the La Sal Mountains, painting the underside of the arch with vibrant reflected light while streaking corpuscular rays of light across the sky. Mesa Arch is a pothole arch formed when a regular pool of surface water eroded through the Navajo Sandstone, exposing the cliff below and providing a window onto Washer Woman Arch and Airport Tower. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sunburst-at-mesa-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0808_UT_CANY_079v1-2.jpg Sunburst at Mesa Arch The sun bursts through a low layer of clouds over the La Sal Mountains, painting the underside of the arch with vibrant reflected light while streaking corpuscular rays of light across the sky. Mesa Arch is a pothole arch formed when a regular pool of surface water eroded through the Navajo Sandstone, exposing the cliff below and providing a window onto Washer Woman Arch and Airport Tower. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/banner-of-heaven-over-mesa-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0808_UT_CANY_066v1.jpg Banner of Heaven Over Mesa Arch The first rays of sunlight bursts through a low layer of clouds over the La Sal Mountains, painting the underside of the arch with vibrant reflected light while streaking corpuscular rays of light across the sky. Mesa Arch is a pothole arch formed when a regular pool of surface water eroded through the Navajo Sandstone, exposing the cliff below and providing a window onto Washer Woman Arch and Airport Tower. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/corpuscular-morning-at-mesa-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0808_UT_CANY_063v1.jpg Corpuscular Morning at Mesa Arch The first rays of sunlight bursts through a low layer of clouds over the La Sal Mountains, painting the underside of the arch with vibrant reflected light while streaking corpuscular rays of light across the sky. Mesa Arch is a pothole arch formed when a regular pool of surface water eroded through the Navajo Sandstone, exposing the cliff below and providing a window onto Washer Woman Arch and Airport Tower. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/starburst-sunrise-at-mesa-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0808_UT_CANY_059v1.jpg Starburst Sunrise at Mesa Arch The rising sun bursts through a low layer of clouds over the La Sal Mountains, painting the underside of the arch with vibrant reflected light while streaking corpuscular rays of light across the sky. Mesa Arch is a pothole arch formed when a regular pool of surface water eroded through the Navajo Sandstone, exposing the cliff below and providing a window onto Washer Woman Arch and Airport Tower. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/early-morning-at-mesa-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0808_UT_CANY_013v2.jpg Early Morning at Mesa Arch The first orange hues of sunrise light are enough to light up the underside of Mesa Arch in Canyonlands, National Park. Perched on the edge of the Island in the Sky, Mesa Arch is a pothole arch formed when a regular pool of surface water eroded through the Navajo Sandstone, exposing the cliff below and providing a window onto Washer Woman Arch and Airport Tower. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/milky-way-rainbow-over-zion/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0607_UT_ZION_018v1.jpg Milky Way Rainbow Over Zion The full exposure of the Milky Way arches over The Watchman and other peaks of. Navajo Sandstone in Zion National Park. Near the end of the Milky way on the left, the Andromeda Galaxy glows brighter than the surrounding stars. Zion National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/shadowed-light/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0328_AZ_MonumentValley_083v1.jpg Shadowed Light A cloud shadow descends on West Mitten Butte in Monument Valley as its shadow creeps towards the East Mitten Butte. In March and September, the shadow of the West Mitten projects onto the center of the East Mitten. Unfortunately, on this day, the clouds obscured the sun just before sunset and the shadow fasded before reaching its destinaton. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Navajo Nation https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sunrise-from-inspiration-point/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1024_UT_BRCA_017v2.jpg Sunrise From Inspiration Point The first light of the rising sun rakes across the hoodoos of the amphitheatre at Bryce Canyon National Park. Formed from ancient lakebeds around the end of the age of the dinosaurs, the Claron Formation's soft sandstones erode into silent cities. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/fiery-evening-over-bryce-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1007_UT_BRCA_450v1.jpg Fiery Evening Over Bryce Canyon The amphitheatre of Claron Formation hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park is illuminated by the sunset light reflecting off low clouds in unsettled air. Where high clouds at sunset are often pink and peach color and bathe the landscape in soft light, low clouds illuminated by the setting sun are more fiery and illuminate the landscape in a more striking light. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/striking-light-over-bryce-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1007_UT_BRCA_445v2.jpg Striking Light Over Bryce Canyon The amphitheatre of Claron Formation hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park is illuminated by the sunset light reflecting off low clouds in unsettled air. Where high clouds at sunset are often pink and peach color and bathe the landscape in soft light, low clouds illuminated by the setting sun are more fiery and illuminate the landscape in a more striking light. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/softly-into-the-evening/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1006_UT_BRCA_332v2.jpg Softly Into the Evening At sunset, peach and pink hues of late evening light wash over the amphitheatre of Claron Formation hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park. When high cloud cover is present to catch these last rays of light, the landscape is bathed in a soft rosy glow. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/last-light-at-bryce-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1006_UT_BRCA_314v2.jpg Last Light at Bryce Canyon At sunset, peach and pink hues of late evening light wash over the amphitheatre of Claron Formation hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park. When high cloud cover is present to catch these last rays of light, the landscape is bathed in a soft rosy glow. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/last-light-on-the-silent-city/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1006_UT_BRCA_255v2.jpg Last Light on the Silent City The Silent City is an area of deeply carved and tightly packed hoodoos just below the rim of the amphitheatre of Bryce Canyon National Park. This amphitheatre is carved deeply into the Claron Formation of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-on-the-book-cliffs/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0901_CO_BookCliffs_058v1.jpg Twilight on the Book Cliffs The soft light of twilight baths the badlands of the Book Cliffs along the northern edge of Colorado's Grand Valley. The cliffs were named by John Wesley Powell on his second trip exploring the Colorado River. Book Cliffs, Grand Valley, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/two-storms-lightning/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0827_CO_COLM_009-010v4.jpg Two Storms, Lightning! As I started heading east to intercept a line of storms sweeping in from the northwest towards Glenwood Springs and De Beque, Colorado, a new set of thunderstorms popped up to the west heading for Fruita and Colorado National Monument. A quick course correction and I was soon in position as these storms became electric. Here, two thunderstorms drop lightning over Fruita, Colorado with Monument Canyon illuminated by the near full moon in the foreground while a solitary bolt strikes the Book Cliffs in the distance from the other set of storms. Colorado National Monument, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-three-gossips-enjoy-sunset/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0809_UT_ARCH_007v1.jpg The Three Gossips Enjoy Sunset The Three Gossips formation of Entrada Sandstone is silhouetted by the deep sunset colors fueled by wildfires in wesdtern Utah. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/falling-waters-ascending-ladder/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0804_UT_KanarraCreek_019v1.jpg Falling Waters, Ascending Ladder Water carving through Navajo Sandstone at Kanarra Creek Falls, deeply descending through the edge of the Colorado Plateau; waterfalls forming and human ingenuity finding ways to traverse an eroding landscape. Kanarra Creek, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/castles-in-the-sand/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0803_UT_CEBR_430v1.jpg Castles in the Sand The last light of the day's sun paints the hoodoos that have eroded out of the amphitheatre of Caron Formation at Cedar Breaks National Monument. Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sunset-castle/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0803_UT_CEBR_395v1.jpg Sunset Castle As the sun sets on Cedar Breaks National Monument, it paints the hoodoos and ridges within the amphitheatre of eroded Claron Formation rocks. Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/crashing-waves-at-white-pocket-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0505_AZ_VCNM_119v1.jpg Crashing Waves at White Pocket II The twisted formations of crossbedded Navajo Sandstone — the petrified sand dunes of a giant erg that covered much of what is now the Western United States around 190 million years ago — look like the foaming waves that crash into the rugged Oregon Coast. White Pocket, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/crashing-waves-at-white-pocket-i/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0505_AZ_VCNM_114v1.jpg Crashing Waves at White Pocket I The twisted formations of crossbedded Navajo Sandstone — the petrified sand dunes of a giant erg that covered much of what is now the Western United States around 190 million years ago — look like the foaming waves that crash into the rugged Oregon Coast. White Pocket, Vermilion Cliffs National Montent, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twlight-at-monument-valley/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0329_AZ_MonumentValley_206v2.jpg Twlight at Monument Valley After the sun has set in the west, the sky above Eat Mitten, West Mitten, and Merrick Buttes in Monument Valley turns a pastel mix of peach, pink, and purple. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Navajo Nation https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/as-the-storm-breaks/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0101_AZ_GLCA_233v1.jpg As the Storm Breaks As the storm breaks at sunset, a winter wonderland is revealed in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area at Horseshoe Bend. The 2015 New Year's snowstorm dropped 5 inches of snow on the Navajo Sandstone, with snow falling into Glen Canyon along the Colorado River. Along the rim of Horseshoe Bend, the snow made the footing treacherous and the edge hard to determine. Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twlight-at-horseshoe-bend/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-1221_AZ_GLCA_112v1.jpg Twlight at Horseshoe Bend The sky failed to light up at sunset over Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, but deep into twilight light rays from the sun that is now well below the horizon bounce off the sandstone landscape to the west painting the clouds in deep hues of orange, red, blue, and purple. Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/evening-sets-in-over-horseshoe-bend/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-1025_AZ_GLCA_011v2.jpg Evening Sets in Over Horseshoe Bend The sun has set and evening begins at Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area as clouds reflect off the calm waters of the river. Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/last-light-on-horseshoe-bend-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-1025_AZ_GLCA_006v2.jpg Last Light on Horseshoe Bend The sun sets below the Vermilion Cliffs, painting Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area with the last light of the day. Clouds reflect off the calm waters of the river. Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/evening-on-the-bend/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-1018_AZ_GLCA_090v3.jpg Evening on the Bend Sunset over Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River illuminates a bending cloud that mirrors the right bend of of the river. Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-storm-at-desert-view/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0802_AZ_GRCA_073v1.jpg Twilight Storm at Desert View Just after sunset at Desert View, a thunderstorm begins to light up the sky over the confluence of the Colorado River and Little Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/last-light-on-horseshoe-bend/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0217_AZ_GLCA_013v4.jpg Last Light on Horseshoe Bend Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River in Glen Canyon is a spectacular place to watch the sun set below the cliffs of the Paria Plateau. Horseshoe Bend, named after the horseshoe shape of it meander in the Colorado River around a fin of Navajo Sandstone. Some day, the river may wear through the thinner section at the base of the fin creating a natural bridge similar to Rainbow Bridge. With the waters of the Colorado River tamed by Glen Canyon Dam, this process will take much longer than in the days of a wild river that reached flood stage each spring as runoff from Rocky Mountain snow pack raged down the river heading for the Pacific Ocean via the Gulf of California. Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monsoon-over-the-third-mitten/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-0913a_AZ_MonumentValley_065v3.jpg Monsoon Over the Third Mitten For a few days twice a year - shortly after the Spring Equinox and shortly before the Autumnal Equinox - The sun is perfectly positioned at sunset over Monument Valley for the West Mitten to cast its long shadow onto the East Mitten. This late summer, the day was perfect for capturing both this phenomenon and a monsoon thunderstorm rolling in from the southwest. In March and September, the shadow of the West Mitten projects onto the center of the East Mitten. Unfortunately, on this day, the clouds obscured the sun just before sunset and the shadow fasded before reaching its destinaton. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Navajo Nation https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/cathedral-with-a-view/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2005-0121_UT_GLCA_CathedralInTheDesert_006v3.jpg Cathedral with a View After the El Nino of 1998-1999, the Southwest and Rocky Mountains fell into drought. By the winter of 2004-2005, a series of winters with below average snowfall in the Rocky Mountains and elsewhere in the upper regions of the Colorado River watershed had led to a drop in water level at Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to about 145 feet below full pool. This lower lake level exposed a famous feature at Glen Canyon: Cathedral in the Desert - which had been submerged below Lake Powell since before the lake first reached full pool in 1980. This large, overhanging alcove in Clear Creek Canyon in the Escalante Arm of Lake Powell is so enclosed by shear Navajo Sandstone, that it is cave-like and features a pour-over waterfall. Light bounces around the alcove creating an ethereal glow to the redrock. But this glimpse would be brief. An onslaught of storms riding the "Pineapple Express" brought a short respite to the draught that continues today. This series of storms, which lasted the entire winter of 2004-2005, would drop 45 inches of rain on Southern California - three times the average rainfall for the area - and load the Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau with a substantial snow pack. By July 2005, inflow into Lake Powell had risen its level over 50 feet and most of Cathedral in the Desert slipped back into the depths. Drought is not new to the Colorado Plateau. A number of 25 year droughts have been recorded in the history of the region, one of which was likely a major factor in the migration of the Anasazi to wetter climes to the east. Is this another 25 year drought? Only time will tell. But, it is likely that as long as Glen Canyon Dam stands and Lake Powell exists, Cathedral in the Desert will make an occasional appearance. Glen Canyon, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/canyon-life/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2004-0906_UT_RABR_052v1.jpg Canyon Life Life in the canyons of the Colorado Plateau is never easy. Unpredictable, rain, flash floods, falling rocks... All life in a canyon is precious. This tree grows from a pile of rocks at the base of a cliff of Navajo Sandstone near Rainbow Bridge. Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-at-maroon-bells/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0703_CO_MaroonBells_004v2.jpg Midnight at Maroon Bells The Milky Way, our galaxy, rises over the Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake, where its reflection imprints the calm waters. The "Bells" still have snow along their flanks after an exceptionally wet winter that piled up a snowpack of nearly 400% of normal. Maroon Bells, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-at-maroon-bells-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0703_CO_MaroonBells_004v2-2.jpg Midnight at Maroon Bells II The Milky Way, our galaxy, rises over the Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake, where its reflection imprints the calm waters. The "Bells" still have snow along their flanks after an exceptionally wet winter that piled up a snowpack of nearly 400% of normal. Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/jupiter-and-milky-way-meet-at-maroon-bells/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0703_CO_MaroonBells_004v1.jpg Jupiter and Milky Way Meet at Maroon Bells The Milky Way, our galaxy, rises over the Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake, where its reflection imprints the calm waters. The "Bells" still have snow along their flanks after an exceptionally wet winter that piled up a snowpack of nearly 400% of normal. Maroon Bells, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/star-fall-at-maroon-bells/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0703_CO_MaroonBells_003v1.jpg Star Fall at Maroon Bells The passage of the night over the Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake, where its reflection imprints the calm waters. The "Bells" still have snow along their flanks after an exceptionally wet winter that piled up a snowpack of nearly 400% of normal. Maroon Bells, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-at-tombstone-rock/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0405_CA_JOTR_123v1.jpg Midnight at Tombstone Rock Tombstone Rock, in Joshua Tree National Park, sits atop a pile of monzogranite boulders. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/this-old-truck-and-the-stars/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0405_CA_JOTR_122v1.jpg This Old Truck and the Stars A long abandoned truck rusts away in the Mojave Desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park as the star rotate around Polaris, the North Star. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/alter-of-the-milky-way/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0330_CA_JOTR_096v1.jpg Alter of the Milky Way The Milky Way rises above the Jumbo Rocks area of Joshua Tree National Park. A spire of monzogranite and a lone, scraggly California Juniper (Juniperus californica) stand watch. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/milky-way-rising-at-the-ocotillo-patch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0330_CA_JOTR_087.jpg Milky Way Rising at the Ocotillo Patch The early spring Milky Way rises over the Ocotillo Patch in Joshua Tree National Park. Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) are a common sight in the Sonoran Desert in the southern areas of the park. These spikey desert shrubs often look dead much of the year, but will come to life with a covering of leaves and bright red flowers in spring after a wet winter. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/skull-rock-and-the-milky-way-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0316_CA_JOTR_003v1.jpg Skull Rock & The Milky Way The early spring Milky Way arches over Skull Rock in the Jumbo Rocks area of Joshua Tree National Park. The rocks in this area of the park along with the Hidden Valley area are monzogranite exposed from the erosion of the overlying sediment and rock layers. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/milky-way-arched-over-arch-rock/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2019-0315_CA_JOTR_004.jpg Milky Way Arched Over Arch Rock The early morning Milky Way rises above Arch Rock in the White Tank area of Joshua Tree National Park. The area is dominated by exposed outcroppings of monzogranite, formed from magma intrusions that cooled underground and were then eroded by water moving through the rocks. Over time these "weathered" granite intrusions were exposed by erosion of the overlying landscape of the Mojave Desert. This arch was likely originally formed underground and then continued to weather and erode once exposed to water and wind. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-over-mount-sneffels-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1004_CO_DallasDivide_009v2-2.jpg Midnight Over Mount Sneffels Moonlight rakes across the Dallas Divide and the Sneffels Range of the San Juan Mountains illuminating the fall colors of Aspen (Populus tremuloides) and a dusting of snow from an early winter storm, with a mostly clear sky full of stars overhead. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-monsoon-at-grand-canyon-ii-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0716_AZ_GRCA_144v12.jpg Midnight Monsoon at Grand Canyon II A distant midnight monsoon thunderstorm rumbles over the Grand Canyon. Monsoon in the American Southwest produces dramatic thunderstorms over some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-monsoon-at-grand-canyon-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0716_AZ_GRCA_144v12-2.jpg Midnight Monsoon at Grand Canyon II A distant midnight monsoon thunderstorm rumbles over the Grand Canyon. Monsoon in the American Southwest produces dramatic thunderstorms over some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-monsoon-at-grand-canyon-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0716_AZ_GRCA_144v11.jpg Midnight Monsoon at Grand Canyon A distant midnight monsoon thunderstorm rumbles over the Grand Canyon. Monsoon in the American Southwest produces dramatic thunderstorms over some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-monsoon-at-grand-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0716_AZ_GRCA_144v11-2.jpg Midnight Monsoon at Grand Canyon A distant midnight monsoon thunderstorm rumbles over the Grand Canyon. Monsoon in the American Southwest produces dramatic thunderstorms over some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/mars-and-the-milky-way-at-yankee-girl-mine/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0621_CO_YankeeGirlMine_018v3.jpg Mars and the Milky Way at Yankee Girl Mine The planet Mars and The Milky Way rise above Yankee Girl Mine. Yankee Girl was one of the few vertical shaft gold and silver mines in the Red Mountain Mining District of the San Juan Mountains. Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-rising-at-yankee-girl/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0621_CO_YankeeGirlMine_006v1.jpg Midnight Rising at Yankee Girl The Milky Way rises above Yankee Girl Mine. Yankee Girl was one of the few vertical shaft gold and silver mines in the Red Mountain Mining District of the San Juan Mountains. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/mars-and-milky-way-meet-at-yankee-girl-mine/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0621_CO_YankeeGirlMine_005v2.jpg Mars and Milky Way Meet at Yankee Girl Mine The planet Mars and The Milky Way rise above Yankee Girl Mine. Yankee Girl was one of the few vertical shaft gold and silver mines in the Red Mountain Mining District of the San Juan Mountains. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-at-the-horse-barn/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0619_UT_CARE_011v1.jpg Midnight at the Horse Barn The old horse barn in the Fruita Historic District in Capitol Reef National Park is still in use today by the National Park Service. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-at-waterwell-oasis/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0618_UT_CARE_071v1.jpg Midnight at Waterwell Oasis Mars and the Milky Way rise above a long abandoned water drilling truck at Waterwell Oasis along the Hartnet Road as it crosses the North Blue Flats just outside of Capitol Reef National Park. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/milky-way-over-temple-of-the-moon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0617_UT_CARE_027v1.jpg Milky Way Over Temple of the Moon The Milky Way rises above Temple of the Moon in Lower Cathedral Valley of Capitol Reef National Park. A setting crescent moon paints the Entrada Sandstone of the formation. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/milky-way-over-the-coke-ovens/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0606_CO_COLM_004v3.jpg Milky Way Over the Coke Ovens The Milky Way rises above monuments of Wingate Sandstone that have eroded into teepee rocks shaped like the historic coke ovens used by early miners to make charcoal. Colorado National Monument, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-at-the-coke-ovens/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0606_CO_COLM_003v1.jpg Midnight at the Coke Ovens The Milky Way rises above monuments of Wingate Sandstone that have eroded into teepee rocks shaped like the historic coke ovens used by early miners to make charcoal. Colorado National Monument, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/milky-way-nigh-at-monument-valley/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0515_AZ_MonumentValley_013v2.jpg Milky Way Nigh at Monument Valley The center of the Milky Way Galaxy rises above The Stagecoach, Big Indian, and Brigham's Tomb formations in Monumernt Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monument-valley-milky-way/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0515_AZ_MonumentValley_010v2.jpg Monument Valley Milky Way The Milky Way arches over The Mittens and Merrick Butte in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/milky-way-over-gunsight-butte-lake-powell/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0514_UT_GLCA_003v4.jpg Milky Way Over Gunsight Butte, Lake Powell The Milky Way rises in the early morning of spring over Gunsight Butte in Padre Bay on Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Navajo Mountain can be seen in the distance behind the butte; at over 10,000 feet of elevation, it is a prominent laccolith dome of igneous rock that intruded into the sedimentary layers of the Colorado Plateau. Most of the these layers have since eroded away. Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monumental-milky-way/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0508_CO_COLM_009v5.jpg Monumental Milky Way The Milky Way rises above the Wingate Sandstone Monuments that dominate Monument Canyon and its sandstone monoliths. Monument Canyon is carved deeply into the Wingate Sandstone that forms the rim of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Colorado National Monument towers over the Colorado River and forms the southwest border to Grand Valley. Colorado National Monument, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/milky-way-rising-monument-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0508_CO_COLM_001v2.jpg Milky Way Rising, Monument Canyon The rising Milky Way is reflected in a pothole of water along the cliff rim above Monument and Wedding Canyons in Colorado National Momunent. Colorado National Monument, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/pillars-of-the-milky-way/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0421_UT_ARCH_113v5.jpg Pillars of the Milky Way I found the pillars that hold up the Milky Way! But seriously, the Milky Way arches over Balanced Rock and nearby pillars of Entrada Sandstone in Arches National Park. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/mars--milky-way-at-skyline-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0417_UT_ARCH_080v1.jpg Mars & Milky Way at Skyline Arch Mars and the Milky Way rise in the southeast night sky over Skyline Arch. The arches of Arches National Park are formed from fins of Entrada Sandstone through the process of erosion. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/spring-milky-way-at-the-pipe-organ/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0417_UT_ARCH_073v1.jpg Spring Milky Way at the Pipe Organ The Milky Way begins to rise behind the Pipe Organ in the Courthouse Towers of Arches National Park in the early morning of spring. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/quiet-night-at-landscape-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0417_UT_ARCH_066v2.jpg Quiet Night at Landscape Arch Though busy by day, the trail to Landscape Arch is quiet at night. It is a great place for an evening with one's own thoughts. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/arch-rock-rising/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0325_CA_JOTR_250v2.jpg Arch Rock Rising The early morning Milky Way rises above Arch Rock in the White Tank area of Joshua Tree National Park. The area is dominated by exposed outcroppings of monzogranite, formed from magma intrusions that cooled underground and were then eroded by water moving through the rocks. Over time these "weathered" granite intrusions were exposed by erosion of the overlying landscape of the Mojave Desert. This arch was likely originally formed underground and then continued to weather and erode once exposed to water and wind. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/night-of-the-joshua-trees/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0122_CA_JOTR_011v1.jpg Night of the Joshua Trees Joshua Trees (Yucca brevifolia) stand silently below a winter's night sky full of stars in Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/alter-of-orion/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0122_CA_JOTR_001v1.jpg Alter of Orion The constellation Orion rises above the Jumbo Rocks area of Joshua Tree National Park. A spire of monzogranite and a lone, scraggly California Juniper (Juniperus californica) stand watch. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/orion-over-skull-rock/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-1223_CA_JOTR_122v1.jpg Orion Over Skull Rock The constellation Orion rises above Skull Rock in the Jumbo Rocks area of Joshua Tree National Park. The rocks in this area of the park along with the Hidden Valley area are monzogranite exposed from the erosion of the overlying sediment and rock layers. Joshua Tree National Park, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-at-the-court-of-the-patriarchs/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-1125_UT_ZION_033v1.jpg Midnight at the Court of the Patriarchs The Court of the Patriarchs, in Zion National Park, are three Navajo Sandstone Cliffs that rise above the Virgin River. They are named for the biblical figures Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Zion National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/orion-revealed/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-1125_UT_ZION_030v1.jpg Orion Revealed The constellation Orion begins to reveal itself from behind the cliffs in Zion National Park. Zion National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/a-night-in-the-temple/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-1123_UT_ZION_024v1.jpg A Night in the Temple The outer rim of the Milky Way galaxy rises above the Temples and Towers of the Virgin in Zion National Park. Zion National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/meteor-strike-on-mt-wilson/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-1117_NV_RedRockCynNCA_081v1.jpg Meteor Strike on Mt. Wilson A meteor explodes over Mt. Wilson in Red Rock Canyon Natrional Conservation Area outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. Mt Wilson along with the other cliffs of the park are Aztec Sandstone formed from the same sand erg that covered much of what is now the western United States about 190 million years ago. This same field of sand sunes formed what is now the Navajo Sandstone on the Colorado Plateau. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/ruin-with-a-view-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0914_CO_MEVE_229v4.jpg Ruin with a View II Cliff Palace has stood vacant for more than 700 years. The ancestors of the modern day pueblo peoples such as the Hopi and the pueblo peoples of Zuni, Taos, and Acoma once occupied the area for at least 700 years, first on the mesa tops, then in the cliff alcoves below before migrating away. Imagine what the night sky would have looked like to the people living in this now silent dwelling without the intrusion of light from nearby cities such as Durango, Cortez, and Farmington. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/silent-city/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0910_CO_MEVE_009v4.jpg Silent City Cliff Palace has stood vacant for more than 700 years. The ancestors of the modern day pueblo peoples such as the Hopi and the pueblo peoples of Zuni, Taos, and Acoma once occupied the area for at least 700 years, first on the mesa tops, then in the cliff alcoves below before migrating away. Imagine what the night sky would have looked like to the people living in this now silent dwelling without the intrusion of light from nearby cities such as Durango, Cortez, and Farmington. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/milky-way-over-green-river/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0817_UT_CANY_001v2.jpg Milky Way Over Green River The Milky Way rises above the White Rim and Green River in Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/window-on-the-galaxy/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0625_UT_ARCH_019v1.jpg Window on the Galaxy Looking through the North Window, the Milky Way galaxy rises high behind Turret Arch in Arches National Park. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/ancient-guardians-of-the-night/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2017-0618_UT_SegoCanyon_001v4.jpg Ancient Guardians of the Night The ancient rock art of Sego Canyon are not outdone by the Milky Way. These Barrier Canyon Style pictographs are likely more than 4,000 years old and were painted by the Archaic Peoples who were the likely ancestors of the Ancestral Peubloans and the Fremont People. Sego Canyon, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-young-and-the-old-at-night/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0829_NV_GRBA_041v1.jpg The Young and the Old at Night in the highest elevations of Great Basin National Park, a small forest of Bristlecone Pines (Pinus longaeva) bask in the light of the night sky. Bristlecone Pines are the oldest trees on Earth, often living over 4,000 years. In this forest, a healthy mix of ancient trees and young whipersnappers cling to harsh, rocky surface. Nevada https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/this-old-truck-and-the-milky-way-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0827_CA_Bodie_150v2.jpg This Old Truck and the Milky Way Bodie Ghost Town, an old mining town tucked into high elevation foothills in the Eastern Sierras of California, stands the test of time with many intact structures, mines, and rusty metal detritus. This old, rusty truck shows its character as the Milky Way rises above Bodie. Bodie Ghost, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/this-old-truck-and-the-milky-way/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0827_CA_Bodie_150v2-2.jpg This Old Truck and the Milky Way Bodie Ghost Town, an old mining town tucked into high elevation foothills in the Eastern Sierras of California, stands the test of time with many intact structures, mines, and rusty metal detritus. This old, rusty truck shows its character as the Milky Way rises above Bodie. Bodie Ghost Town, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/mining-cabin-with-a-view/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0826_CA_AncientBristleconePineForest_084v2.jpg Mining Cabin with a View A dilapidated mining cabin at 10,000 feet elevation in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest offers a stunning view of the night sky and the Milky Way. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/reaching-for-the-stars-3/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0826_CA_AncientBristleconePineForest_080v3.jpg Reaching for the Stars These ancient Bristlecone Pines (Pinus longaeva) lived a short life - possiblly less than 2,000 years. Clinging to the marginal soils at 10,000 feet where other trees fear to tread, it's limbs were twisted by the brutal winds and harsh winters found at such high elevations. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/two-thick-stands-of-aspen-trees-populus-tremuloides-rise-up-th-3/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1001_CO_Silverjack_214v4.jpg Cimarron Gold Cimarron Gold Cimarron Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-sentinel-cradles-andromeda/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0826_CA_AncientBristleconePineForest_079v1.jpg The Sentinel Cradles Andromeda The Sentinel Trees of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest stand tall below the Milky Way Galaxy. Bristlecone Pines (Pinus longaeva) are the oldest trees on Earth, often living over 4,000 years. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-sentinels-guardians-of-the-galaxy-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0826_CA_AncientBristleconePineForest_078v1.jpg The Sentinels, Guardians of the Galaxy II The Sentinel Trees of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest stand tall below the Milky Way Galaxy. Bristlecone Pines (Pinus longaeva) are the oldest trees on Earth, often living over 4,000 years. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-sentinels-guardians-of-the-galaxy/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0826_CA_AncientBristleconePineForest_073v1.jpg The Sentinels, Guardians of the Galaxy The Sentinel Trees of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest stand tall below the Milky Way Galaxy. Bristlecone Pines (Pinus longaeva) are the oldest trees on Earth, often living over 4,000 years. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-sentinel-guardian-of-the-galaxy-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0826_CA_AncientBristleconePineForest_065v1.jpg The Sentinel, Guardian of the Galaxy II The Sentinel Trees of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest stand tall below the Milky Way Galaxy. Bristlecone Pines (Pinus longaeva) are the oldest trees on Earth, often living over 4,000 years. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-sentinel-guardian-of-the-galaxy/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0826_CA_AncientBristleconePineForest_058v2.jpg The Sentinel, Guardian of the Galaxy The Sentinel Trees of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest stand tall below the Milky Way Galaxy. Bristlecone Pines (Pinus longaeva) are the oldest trees on Earth, often living over 4,000 years. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-of-the-sentinel/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0826_CA_AncientBristleconePineForest_052v3.jpg Twilight of the Sentinel This ancient Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) sentinel lived a long life - possible more than 4,000 years. Clinging to the marginal soils at 10,000 feet where other trees fear to tread, it has been twisted by the brutal winds and harsh winters found at such high elevations. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-storm-through-mesa-arch-i/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0808_UT_CANY_001v2.jpg Twilight Storm Through Mesa Arch I At the edge of Astronomical Twilight, a Monsoon thunderstorm can be seen in the distance through Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park as it strikes the La Sal Mountains east of Moab. Mesa Arch is a band of Navajo Sandstone formed on the edge of a cliff above the White Rim area of the Island in the Sky District. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/milky-way-mesa-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0705_UT_CANY_002v1.jpg Milky Way-Mesa Arch The center of our Milky Way galaxy rises above Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park. Deep in the distant dark is the White Rim above the Colorado River. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/devils-kitchen--the-milky-way-v/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0703_CO_COLM_029v1.jpg Devil's Kitchen & the Milky Way V The Milky Way rises above Devil's Kitchen in Colorado National Monument. Devil's Kitchen is an outcrop of uneroded Wingate Sandstone that stands like a fortress above the surrounding canyon floor; the rock walls form a horseshoe shape around a roomy space in the middle. A few pillars of sandstone stand alone marking where higher walls once stood. Colorado National Monument towers over the Colorado River and forms the southwest border to Grand Valley. (The light painting the sandstone comes from Grand Junction, Colorado, down canyon. Colorado National Monument, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/moon-through-the-turret/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0619_UT_ARCH_017v1.jpg Moon Through the Turret The full moon rises through Turret Arch in Arches National Park. Turret Arch is one of more than 2,000 arches found in the Estrada Sandstone within the park. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/milky-way-over-bryce-canyon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0603_UT_BRCA_015v4.jpg Milky Way Over Bryce Canyon Our Milky Way galaxy arches over the Navajo Loop Trail in the amphitheater of Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/moonlit-rocks-and-mules-ears/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0513_UT_ARCH_028v1.jpg Moonlit Rocks and Mule's Ears Moonlight bathes a bouquet of Rough Mule's Ears (Wyethia scabra) and The Organ in the Courthouse Towers are of Arches National Park. Rough Mule's Ear is in the Sunflower Family and common to the park. The Organ is a monument to the Estrada Sandstone fins that erode to form the arches and other rock formations of Arches National Park. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-at-delicate-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0511_UT_ARCH_039v1.jpg Midnight at Delicate Arch As the crescent moon sets in the west at midnight painting Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, the center of our Milky Way Galaxy rises in the southeast over the La Sal Mountains. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-milky-way-through-delicate-arch-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0511_UT_ARCH_035v9.jpg The Milky Way Through Delicate Arch The center of our Milky Way galaxy shines brightly through Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. The last rocks standing from a fin of Estrada Sandstone, Delicate Arch is perched on the edge of a giant pothole on top of the a mesa in Arches National Park. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-milky-way-through-delicate-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0511_UT_ARCH_035v9-2.jpg The Milky Way Through Delicate Arch The center of our Milky Way galaxy shines brightly through Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. The last rocks standing from a fin of Estrada Sandstone, Delicate Arch is perched on the edge of a giant pothole on top of the a mesa in Arches National Park. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/monumental-thunder/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0510_CO_COLM_004v3.jpg Monumental Thunder Rumbling thunder echoed through Monument Canyon in Colorado National Monument as an evening thunderstorm rolls across the Uncompahgre Plateau. Colorado National Monument, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-meteor-through-owachomo-bridge/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0505_UT_NABR_014v1.jpg The Meteor Through Owachomo Bridge An Eta Aquarid meteor burns bright in front of the Milky Way as it is torn apart by the Earth's atmosphere. Owachomo Bridge, in Natural Bridges National Monument, provides a nice framing for the action. The planet Saturn burns bright to the right of the Milky Way. Owachomo Bridge is a narrow expanse of Cedar Mesa Sandstone carved out by flowing water. Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/milky-way--mesa-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0503_UT_CANY_014v2.jpg Milky Way & Mesa Arch The center of the Milky Way galaxy rises above Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park. Deep in the distant dark is the White Rim above the Colorado River. Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-at-mckee-spring/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0404_UT_DINO_002v1.jpg Midnight at McKee Spring The Milky Way rises behind the McKee Spring Petroglyph Panel in Dinosaur National Monument. Dinosaur National Monument, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/galactic-time/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0313_CA_DEVA_646v1.jpg Galactic Time Nobody knows how fast the Sailing Rocks of Racetrack Playa in Death Valley National Park move when they leave their enigmatic tracks in the frozen mud… observing them actually move proves quite elusive. So, who's they are not synchronized with the motion of the Milky Way. The Racetrack, Death Valley National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/reflected-motion/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0313_CA_DEVA_159v3.jpg Reflected Motion Although the mystery of the Sailing Rocks of Racetrack Playa in Death Valley National Park has been solved, no one has yet actually witnessed the rocks move in person. Who's to say that there are not unseen galactic forces involved? The Racetrack, Death Valley National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/zodiac-rising/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0310_CA_DEVA_083v2.jpg Zodiac Rising In the late winter and early spring, Zodiacal Light can pierce the sky after the sun has set as its light illuminates the dust in Earht's ecliptic plane. The Racetrack, Death Valley National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/stars-fall-on-manly-beacon/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0306_CA_DEVA_242v3.jpg Stars Fall on Manly Beacon Night 'falls' over Zabriskie Point and Badwater Basin in the background. Zabriskie Point overlooks the badlands of the Furnace Creek Formation — red, brown, and yellow silts and clays deposited at the bottom of early Pliocene lakes, about 3-5 million years ago. Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/star-fall-at-teakettle-junction/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0211_CA_DEVA_059v1.jpg Star Fall at Teakettle Junction On the rather bumpy road to Racetrack Playa - a road notorious for flat tires - adventurous drivers will encounter Teakettle Junction a few miles before reaching the playa. Here visitors to the backcountry of Death Valley National Park​ have been leaving teakettles with personal messages dating back to at least the 1970s. But late at night, the stars trail through the sky above making for a haunting experience. Teakettle Junction, Death Valley National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/badwater-moonset/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0210_CA_DEVA_298v1.jpg Badwater Moonset The crescent moon nears the horizon as it sets over the salt flats of Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America 282 feet below sea level, in Death Valley National Park. Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/night-falls-on-zabriskie-point/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0209_CA_DEVA_274v2.jpg Night Falls on Zabriskie Point As twilight recedes to the west, night falls over Zabriskie Point and Badwater Basin in the background. Zabriskie Point overlooks the badlands of the Furnace Creek Formation — red, brown, and yellow silts and clays deposited at the bottom of early Pliocene lakes, about 3-5 million years ago. Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/orion-setting-behind-the-sierras/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0208_CA_AlabamaHills_032v2.jpg Orion Setting Behind the Sierras The Constellation Orion sets in the west behind Mt. Whitney and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The outer edge of the Milky Way Galaxy paints the sky overhead. Alabama Hills, Eastern Sierras, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/mobius-light-trails/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0208_CA_AlabamaHills_025v1.jpg Mobius Light Trails Mobius Arch points the way toward the North Star. Over the course of about a half an hour, the stars rotate enough around Polaris, the current North Star in the sky of Earth's northern hemisphere, to start to create a tunnel effect with a long exposure. Mobius Arch is in the Alabama Hills on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Composed of the same granite as the the Sierra Nevadas, this area was not uplifted by the geologic forces the thrust the mountain range to the tallest in the North America outside of Alaska. Alabama Hills, Eastern Sierras, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/mobius-time-portal/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0208_CA_AlabamaHills_024v2.jpg Mobius Time Portal Mobius Arch points the way toward the North Star. Over the course of about a half an hour, the stars rotate enough around Polaris, the current North Star in the sky of Earth's northern hemisphere, to start to create a tunnel effect with a long exposure. Mobius Arch is in the Alabama Hills on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Composed of the same granite as the the Sierra Nevadas, this area was not uplifted by the geologic forces the thrust the mountain range to the tallest in the North America outside of Alaska. Alabama Hills, Eastern Sierras, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sailing-rock-approaching-warp-speed/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0205_CA_DEVA_069v2.jpg Sailing Rock Approaching Warp Speed Nobody knows how fast the Sailing Rocks of Racetrack Playa in Death Valley National Park really move when they leave their enigmatic tracks in the frozen mud… observing them actually move proves quite elusive. So, who's to say that the tracks aren't left when the rocks return and land from an interstellar journey at warp speed? The Racetrack, Death Valley National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/big-dipper-rising-over-mesquite-flat/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0204_CA_DEVA_103v2.jpg Big Dipper Rising Over Mesquite Flat A vestige of a crescent moon's light illuminates the sand dunes at Mesquite Flat in Death Valley National Park. As the Big Dipper rises over the mountains to the north, the outer edge of the Milky Way Galaxy slashes across the sky. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-at-mesquite-flat/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2016-0204_CA_DEVA_102v3.jpg Midnight at Mesquite Flat A vestige of a crescent moon's light illuminates the sand dunes at Mesquite Flat in Death Valley National Park. As the Big Dipper rises over the mountains to the north, the outer edge of the Milky Way Galaxy slashes across the sky. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/cliff-palace-luminaria-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1209_CO_MEVE_061v1.jpg Cliff Palace Luminaria Each year in December for the Christmas season, Mesa Verde National Park selects one of the Anasazi ruins in the park to set up a luminaria for one night. In 2015, Cliff Palace glowed with the spirit of Christmas as twilight gave way to night. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/cliff-palace-luminaria/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1209_CO_MEVE_053v1.jpg Cliff Palace Luminaria Each year in December for the Christmas season, Mesa Verde National Park selects one of the Anasazi ruins in the park to set up a luminaria for one night. In 2015, Cliff Palace glowed with the spirit of Christmas as twilight gave way to night. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/a-sentinel-in-the-night/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1008_UT_BRCA_576v1.jpg A Sentinel in the Night Growing upwards of 130 feet, the Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) is a common tree throughout the Colorado Plateau. What is not common is finding one deep within the hoodoo canyons of Bryce Canyon National Park. This sentinel stands tall within the Wall Street section of the sandstone amphiteatre. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/reaching-for-the-stars-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1008_UT_BRCA_570v2.jpg Reaching for the Stars Deep within the hoodoo walls of the amphitheater below Sunset Point of Bryce Canyon National Park, the Navajo Loop Trail passes through a small "grove" of Ponderosa Pines (Pinus ponderosa) that are reaching for the sky through the narrow passage. Bryce Canyon National Park's main attraction is the amphitheater full of hoodoos and other formations eroded out of the Claron Formation, the deposition of lake sediments about 60 million years ago when the region was much lower in elevation and later uplifted as part of the Colorado Plateau, which is now a landscape of erosion. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/reaching-for-the-stars/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1008_UT_BRCA_570v2-2.jpg Reaching for the Stars Deep within the hoodoo walls of the amphitheater below Sunset Point of Bryce Canyon National Park, the Navajo Loop Trail passes through a small "grove" of Ponderosa Pines (Pinus ponderosa) that are reaching for the sky through the narrow passage. Bryce Canyon National Park's main attraction is the amphitheater full of hoodoos and other formations eroded out of the Claron Formation, the deposition of lake sediments about 60 million years ago when the region was much lower in elevation and later uplifted as part of the Colorado Plateau, which is now a landscape of erosion. Bryce Canyon National Park https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-milky-way-and-the-watchman/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0804_UT_Zion_055v1.jpg The Milky Way and The Watchman The Milky Way - the heart of our galaxy - rises over The Watchman in Zion National Park; trees along the Virgin River fill the foreground. The town of Springdale, Utah, just outside of the park, illuminates the Navajo Sandstone cliffs. Zion National Park, UtaH https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/spring-milky-way-at-metate-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0316_UT_GSENM_009v1.jpg Spring Milky Way at Metate Arch In the early hours of the morning, the Milky Way rises above Metate Arch in Devil's Garden, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Metate Arch is sculpted by weathering and the differential erosion of the Cannonville and Gregory Butte Members of the Entrada Sandstone - petrified sand dunes from the Jurassic. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-at-metate-arch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0316_UT_GSENM_003v2.jpg Midnight at Metate Arch In the early hours of the morning, the Milky Way rises above Metate Arch in Devil's Garden, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Metate Arch is sculpted by weathering and the differential erosion of the Cannonville and Gregory Butte Members of the Entrada Sandstone - petrified sand dunes from the Jurassic. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sleeping-dragon-at-night/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-1025_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_033v3.jpg Sleeping Dragon at Night Slot canyons are a different world at night. When illuminated from within instead of from light filtered from above, Antelope Canyon's sculpted walls of Navajo Sandstone reveal a their true nature and form. Add in a glimpse of the Colorado Plateau's star-filled dark night skies as revealed here through the Dragon's Teeth and the canyon becomes otherworldly. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-dragon-rises-at-night/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-1025_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_033v3-2.jpg The Dragon Rises at Night Slot canyons are a different world at night. When illuminated from within instead of from light filtered from above, Antelope Canyon's sculpted walls of Navajo Sandstone reveal a their true nature and form. Add in a glimpse of the Colorado Plateau's star-filled dark night skies as revealed here through the Dragon's Teeth and the canyon becomes otherworldly. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/a-ruin-with-a-view/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0928_AZ_WUPA_027v1.jpg A Ruin with a View Looking up at night through three stories of Wukoki Pueblo, Wupatki National Monument. The Andromeda Galaxy is prominent looking through the roof at the stars. Wupatki National Monument, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/night-through-the-dragons-maw/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0914_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_043v3.jpg Night Through the Dragon's Maw Slot canyons are a different world at night. When illuminated from within instead of light filtered from above, Antelope Canyon's sculpted walls of Navajo Sandstone reveal their true nature and form. Add in a glimpse of the Colorado Plateau's star-filled dark night skies as revealed here through the Dragon's Maw and the canyon becomes otherworldly. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/conversation-with-orion/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0828_CA_CARMA_034v1.jpg Conversation with Orion The constellation Orion hangs low in the night sky above the radio telescopes at CARMA (Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-wave Astronomy) in the White Mountains along the Nevada border near the town of Bishop, California. CARMA Radio Telescope, Eastern Sierras, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/night-carma-i/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0828_CA_CARMA_010v1.jpg Night CARMA I The outer edge of the Milky Way rises above CARMA (Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-wave Astronomy) whilethe constellation Orion sets in the wester sky in the White Mountains along the Nevada border near the town of Bishop, California. CARMA Radio Telescope, Eastern Sierras, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-ancients-by-an-asteroids-light/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0828_CA_AncientBristleconePineForest_015v1.jpg The Ancients by an Asteroid's Light The Milky Way rises above a landscape of ancient Bristlecone Pines illuminated by the green light of an exploding asteroid. The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest holds the largest groves of Great Basin Bristlecone Pines (Pinus longaeva) in the world. The oldest of these slow-growing trees is nearly 5,000 years old, which still does not begin to rival the age of the stars and the universe. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/ancient-bristlecone-star-trails/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0828_CA_AncientBristleconePineForest_014v1.jpg Ancient Bristlecone Star Trails High in the White Mountains of California, a forked Bristlecone Pine stands below the night's sky in Patriarch's Grove. The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest holds the largest groves of Great Basin Bristlecone Pines (Pinus longaeva) in the world. The oldest of these slow-growing trees is nearly 5,000 years old, which still does not begin to rival the age of the stars and the universe. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/windswept-at-midnight/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0828_CA_AncientBristleconePineForest_008v1.jpg Windswept at Midnight High in the White Mountains of California, this dead, windswept Bristlecone Pine stands below the Milky Way in Patriarch's Grove. The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest holds the largest groves of Great Basin Bristlecone Pines (Pinus longaeva) in the world. The oldest of these slow-growing trees is nearly 5,000 years old, which still does not begin to rival the age of the stars and the universe. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-lady-in-the-crack-at-night/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0815_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_003v1.jpg The Lady in the Crack at Night Looking out through the opening of Upper Antelope Canyon at night reveals an ocean of stars. Antelope Canyon is the most well known of the slot canyons carved through Navajo Sandstone on the Colorado Plateau. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/night-through-the-dragons-teeth/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0630_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_011v2.jpg Night Through the Dragon's Teeth Slot canyons are a different world at night. When illuminated from within instead of from light filtered from above, Antelope Canyon's sculpted walls of Navajo Sandstone reveal a their true nature and form. Add in a glimpse of the Colorado Plateau's star-filled dark night skies as revealed here through the Dragon's Teeth and the canyon becomes otherworldly. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/lady-in-the-blue-and-purple-dress/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0630_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_007v1.jpg Lady in the Blue and Purple Dress. Looking out through the opening of Upper Antelope Canyon at night reveals an ocean of stars and the airglow of the desert. Antelope Canyon is the most well known of the slot canyons carved through Navajo Sandstone on the Colorado Plateau. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/antelopes-passage-into-night/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2014-0630_AZ_AntelopeCyn_Upper_005v3.jpg Antelope's Passage into Night Looking out through the opening of Upper Antelope Canyon at night reveals an ocean of stars. Antelope Canyon is the most well known of the slot canyons carved through Navajo Sandstone on the Colorado Plateau. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/twilight-on-zion/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2013-1209_UT_ZION_235v1.jpg Twilight on Zion Winter has come in full force for much of the country this December giving many a White Christmas. In early December, Zion National Park received 18 inches of snow over the course of a day and a night, blanketing the park in more snow at one time than many locals had ever seen, setting them up for a White Christmas. Zion National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sunset-eclipse-over-the-vermillion-cliffs/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-0520_AZ_VCNM_Wide_066v5.jpg Sunset Eclipse Over the Vermillion Cliffs On May 20, 2012, an annular solar eclipse passed directly over Glen Canyon, the Colorado River, and the Vermillion Cliffs. As the sun sets near Powell Point on the Paria Plateau, it is nearly an hour after the moon blocked nearly 94% of the sun's light and the last moments of the eclipse are still visible. Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/-2021-chris-eaton-4/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2021-1011_CO_Silverjack-ClearLake_090v1.jpg Matchsticks An early morning breeze distorts the reflections of the peak fall color of Quacking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) off of the shimmering water of a high elevation lake in the San Juan Mountains. Abstract colors and patterns are found throughout the natural world, especially in reflections. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/-2021-chris-eaton-3/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2021-1011_CO_Silverjack-ClearLake_090v1-2.jpg © 2021 Chris Eaton Chris Eaton Silverjack https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/-2021-chris-eaton-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2021-1011_CO_Silverjack-ClearLake_089v1.jpg Fire Water An early morning breeze distorts the reflections of the peak fall color of Quacking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) off of the shimmering water of a high elevation lake in the San Juan Mountains. Abstract colors and patterns are found throughout the natural world, especially in reflections. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/-2021-chris-eaton/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2021-1011_CO_Silverjack-ClearLake_084v1.jpg © 2021 Chris Eaton Chris Eaton Silverjack https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/stick-figures-in-the-forest-iii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-1008_CO_OwlCreekPass_015v1.jpg Stick Figures in the Forest III Soft early morning light brings out the color in the leaves and the paper bark of Quaking Aspens (Populus tremuloides). An aspen tree isn't really one tree… it is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine sapplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, evetually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. Owl Creek Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/stick-figures-in-the-forest-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-1008_CO_OwlCreekPass_008v1d.jpg Stick Figures in the Forest II Soft early morning light brings out the color in the leaves and the paper bark of Quaking Aspens (Populus tremuloides). An aspen tree isn't really one tree… it is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine sapplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, evetually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. Owl Creek Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/stick-figures-in-the-forest-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-1008_CO_OwlCreekPass_008v1c.jpg Stick Figures in the Forest Soft early morning light brings out the color in the leaves and the paper bark of Quaking Aspens (Populus tremuloides). An aspen tree isn't really one tree… it is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine sapplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, evetually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. Owl Creek Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/stick-figures-in-the-forest/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-1008_CO_OwlCreekPass_008v1.jpg Stick Figures in the Forest Soft early morning light brings out the color in the leaves and the paper bark of Quaking Aspens (Populus tremuloides). An aspen tree isn't really one tree… it is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine sapplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, evetually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. Owl Creek Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/stick-figure-overlook/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-1008_CO_OwlCreekPass_006v1.jpg Stick Figure Overlook Soft early morning light bathes the Aspen gold of a distant hillside seen through the bare Aspen (Populus tremuloides) trees at a higher elevation. An aspen tree isn't really one tree… it is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine saplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, eventually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/last-morning-of-fall/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-1008_CO_OwlCreekPass_006v1-2.jpg Last Morning of Fall Soft early morning light bathes the Aspen gold of a distant hillside seen through the bare Aspen (Populus tremuloides) trees at a higher elevation. An aspen tree isn't really one tree… it is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine saplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, eventually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-last-day-of-fall/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-1008_CO_OwlCreekPass_004v1.jpg The Last Day of Fall Soft early morning light bathes the Aspen gold of a distant hillside seen through the bare Aspen (Populus tremuloides) trees at a higher elevation. An aspen tree isn't really one tree… it is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine saplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, eventually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. Owl Creek Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/last-gasp-of-gold/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-1008_CO_OwlCreekPass_001v1.jpg Last Gasp of Gold Soft early morning light bathes the Aspen gold of a distant hillside seen through the bare Aspen (Populus tremuloides) trees at a higher elevation. An aspen tree isn't really one tree… it is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine saplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, eventually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/cottonwoods/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-1007_CO_Telluride_095v1.jpg Cottonwoods A stand of Narrowleaf Cottonwoods (Populus angustifolia; aka Willow-Leaved Poplar) in the San Juan Mountains near Telluride, Colorado, are wrapped in the leaves of fall. Like their neighbors the Quaking Aspens, the narrow leaves of the cottonwood also turn a vibrant yellow-gold color i nthe autumn. Cottonwoods in the American Southwest grow most commonly in riparian areas; these cottonwoods are along the San Miguel River. Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/zions-intimate-fall-colors/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1105_UT_ZION_071v1.jpg Zion's Intimate Fall Colors Fremont Cottonwood (Populus fremontii), Narrowleaf Cottonwoods (Populus angustifolia), Bigtouth Maple (Acer grandidentatum), and Boxelder (Acer negundo) line the Virgin River in Zion National Park during autumn. The cottonwoods and boxelder (a member of the maple family) leaves turn various shades of yellow in the fall, while the Bigtooth Maple turns a vibrant red, creating a cacophony of color in Zion Canyon. Zion National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/wall-of-color-in-zion/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1105_UT_ZION_067v1.jpg Wall of Color in Zion, Utah Fremont Cottonwood (Populus fremontii), Narrowleaf Cottonwoods (Populus angustifolia), Bigtouth Maple (Acer grandidentatum), and Boxelder (Acer negundo) line the Virgin River in Zion National Park during autumn. The cottonwoods and boxelder (a member of the maple family) leaves turn various shades of yellow in the fall, while the Bigtooth Maple turns a vibrant red, creating a cacophony of color in Zion Canyon. Zion National Park, Utah https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/contrast-and-chaos/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1008_CO_Ophir_114v1.jpg Contrast and Chaos Some years the colors of fall slowly fade away as temperatures cool by day and drop deeper below freezing at night. Stand-by-stand, aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) drop their leaves and wait for the first snow of winter to arrive. But, in other years the first snow dramatically interrupts this slow falling towards winter and brings an abrupt, but beautiful ending to colorful season. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/winter-crashes-autumns-party/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1008_CO_Ophir_075v1.jpg Winter Crashes Autumn's Party As the colors begin to fade from the aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) at the end of the fall season, a winter storm crashes the end of the party bringing it to an abrupt ending. Ophir Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/frost--fire/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1008_CO_Ophir_070v1.jpg Frost & Fire As the last of the fiery leaves of fall color clings to the aspen trees (Populus tremuloides), an early winter storm takes over the forest causing a clash of seasons at 11,000 feet. Ophir Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/last-dance/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1008_CO_Ophir_024V2.jpg Last Dance A trio of curvy aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) dances in the snow as an early winter storm intrudes on the last vestiges of autumn. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/seasons-collide-in-the-san-juan-moiuntains-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1008_CO_LastDollarRoad_236v1.jpg Seasons Collide in the San Juan Moiuntains The seasons collide in the San Juan Mountains near Telluride, Colorado as an early winter storm coats the upper reaches of the mountains with snow while the aspen trees and scrub oak are still in the thick of fall color. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/seasons-collide-in-the-san-juan-moiuntains/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1008_CO_LastDollarRoad_236v1-2.jpg Seasons Collide in the San Juan Moiuntains The seasons collide in the San Juan Moiuntains near Telluride, Colorado as an early winter storm coats the upper reaches of the mountains with snow while the aspen trees and scrub oak are still in the thick of fall color. Last Dollar Road https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/quiet-morning-at-seasons-end/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1008_CO_Hwy145_184v1.jpg Quiet Morning at Season's End The pond is calm, the cabin is closed up for the year... The end of one seaon clashes with the begining of another as a dusting of snow and a coating of frost marks the days of fall color in the San Juan Mountains. Telluride, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/cascade-of-color/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1007_CO_LastDollarRd_240v4.jpg Cascade of Color While exploring the backroads near Telluride, Colorado, a curve in the road revealed a slam-on-the-brakes scene… a cascade of color spilling down the mountainside in front of me above the road. One of the rarest scenes in the San Juan Mountains seems to be where the fall colors of the Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) collide with those of the Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii) at the same time. Telluride, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/morning-glory/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1006_CO_Ridgway_CtyRd7_057v3.jpg Morning Glory The first rays of the morning sun rake across the mountains to the east to illuminate the hillsides of Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) in the Mt. Sneffels Range of the San Juan Mountains. Mt. Sneffels, with a fresh dusting of snow, rises prominently above the foothills and meadows below. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/san-juan-gold-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1006_CO_Ridgway_CtyRd7_031v3.jpg San Juan Gold Mt. Sneffels, one of Colorado's 14ers, rises sharply above a valley in its foothills. Every fall, the valley floor is surrounded by a sea of golden leaves as the Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) prepare for the cold winters at high elevations. Aspens are not each solitary tress; they are a clone species. Each stand of aspens are connected via a large root system, which can live for tens of thousands of years. County Road 7 https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/san-juan-gold/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1006_CO_Ridgway_CtyRd7_031v3-2.jpg San Juan Gold Mt. Sneffels, one of Colorado's 14ers, rises sharply above a valley in its foothills. Every fall, the valley floor is surrounded by a sea of golden leaves as the Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) prepare for the cold winters at high elevations. Aspens are not each solitary tress; they are a clone species. Each stand of aspens are connected via a large root system, which can live for tens of thousands of years. County Road 7 https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/mt-sneffels-gold/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1005_CO_DallasDivide_030v1.jpg Mt. Sneffel's Gold Stand's of Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) at peak fall color glow in the stormy light as an early winter storm dusts the Sneffel's Range with snow. Each stand of aspen trees is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine saplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, eventually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. Dallas Divide, San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/storm-light-over-the-san-juans/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1005_CO_DallasDivide_030v1-2.jpg Storm Light Over the San Juans Stands of Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) at peak fall color glow in the stormy light as an early winter storm dusts the Sneffel's Range with snow. Each stand of aspen trees is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine saplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, eventually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. Dallas Divide, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/midnight-over-mount-sneffels/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1004_CO_DallasDivide_009v2.jpg Midnight Over Mount Sneffels Moonlight rakes across the Dallas Divide and the Sneffels Range of the San Juan Mountains illuminating the fall colors of Aspen (Populus tremuloides) and a dusting of snow from an early winter storm, with a mostly clear sky full of stars overhead. Dallas Divide, San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/early-morning-mcclure-pass-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0930_CO_McClurePass_062v1.jpg Early Morning, McClure Pass II Early morning sunlight filters through the clouds over the Elk Mountains, illuminating the stands of Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) below McClure Pass, Colorado. McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/early-morning-mcclure-pass/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0930_CO_McClurePass_061v2.jpg Early Morning, McClure Pass Early morning sunlight filters through the clouds over the Elk Mountains, illuminating the stands of Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) below McClure Pass, Colorado. McClure Pass, Elk Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/aspens-by-dawns-early-light/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0930_CO_McClurePass_032v3.jpg Aspens By Dawn's Early Light Early morning sunlight bathes the clouds over the Elk Mountains; the reflected light illuminates the stands of Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) below McClure Pass, Colorado. McClure Pass, Elk Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sunrise-over-the-crystal-river-valley/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0930_CO_McClurePass_028v3.jpg Sunrise Over the Crystal River Valley The first rays of sunlight filters through the mountain pass above the Crystal Ruver Valley. The mountainsides are painted with the fall color of stands of Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) McClure Pass https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/milky-way-and-mars-meet-at-crystal-lake/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0928_CO_CrystalLake_001v2.jpg Milky Way and Mars Meet at Crystal Lake On a chilly autumn night in the San Juan Mountains, Mars and the Milky Way reflect off of calm waters of Crystal Lake. Crystal Lake is nestled below the peaks of Red Mountain Pass, which "glow" with the fall color of aspen trees (Populus tremuloides). San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/autumn-day-at-crystal-mill/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0924_CO_CrystalMill_102v2.jpg Autumn Day at Crystal Mill Crystal Mill, built in 1892, is not an actual mill; instead, Sheep Mountain Power House as it was known, used a water turbine to create compressed air from the flow of Crystal Creek to support the Sheep Mountain Tunnel and Mining Company's operation in the surrounding mountains. Today, it is reached via rugged 4WD trail used as much by hikers as off-roaders. Elk Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/fall-morning-at-crystal-mill/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0924_CO_CrystalMill_101v2.jpg Fall Morning at Crystal Mill Crystal Mill, built in 1892, is not an actual mill; instead, Sheep Mountain Power House as it was known, used a water turbine to created compressed air from the flow of Crystal Creek to support the Sheep Mountain Tunnel and Mining Company's operation in the surrounding mountains. Today, it is reached via rugged 4WD trail used as much by hikers as off-roaders. Elk Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/forest-matriarch/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0920_CO_Gothic_109v2.jpg Forest Matriarch The thick, white trunks of older Aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) rise through a canopy of golden leaves from younger trees. An aspen tree isn't really one tree… it is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine saplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, eventually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. Gothic, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/forest-matriarch-ii/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0920_CO_Gothic_109v2-2.jpg Forest Matriarch II The thick, white trunks of older Aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) rise through a canopy of golden leaves from younger trees. An aspen tree isn't really one tree… it is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine saplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, eventually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. Gothic, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/cabin-in-the-woods/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-0919_CO_Ashcroft_024v4.jpg Cabin in the Woods Nestled in a valley below the Elk Mountains, Ashcroft, Colorado sprung to life in 1880 as a mining town. But that was short lived and its decline started in 1885. Ashcroft saw a boom of sorts in 1942 when it was the base of training for the 10th Mountain Division during WWII. Ashcroft Ghost Town, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/unsettled-sky-over-turret-ridge/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1002_CO_Silverjack_225v4.jpg Unsettled Sky Over Turret Ridge An unsettled sky is illuminated by sunset light over Turret Ridge in the Cimarron Range of the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. In the fall, aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) put on quite the show with their golden leaves. Each stand of aspen trees is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine saplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, eventually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sentinels-of-gold-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1001_CO_Silverjack_236v2.jpg Sentinels of Gold As summer cools into fall in the mountains of Colorado, a sort of alchemy takes places. The silver dollar shaped leaves of Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) transform into a golden wave of color painting the basins and mountain sides. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sentinels-of-gold/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1001_CO_Silverjack_236v1.jpg Sentinels of Gold As summer cools into fall in the mountains of Colorado, a sort of alchemy takes places. The silver dollar shaped leaves of Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) transform into a golden wave of color painting the basins and mountain sides. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/two-thick-stands-of-aspen-trees-populus-tremuloides-rise-up-th/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1001_CO_Silverjack_214v4-2.jpg Two thick stands of Aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) rise up th Cimarron Gold Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/whatcha-photographing/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1001_CO_Silverjack_042v2.jpg Whatcha Photographing? While photographing a meadow with grazing horses with aspen trees and the Cimarrons in the background, this mule was quite curious. He sauntered over and stuck is face in front of the camera as if he were the only thing worthy of a photograph. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sunset-at-true-grit-meadow/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1001_CO_OwlCreekPass_425v3.jpg Sunset at True Grit Meadow Stands of Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) glow with the colors of fall along the edges of True Grit Meadow as the setting sun paints the clouds with blazing colors. This meadow in Owl Creek Pass in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado was the location where the final battle in the John Wayne Film True Grit was filmed. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/last-light-at-chimney-rock/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-1001_CO_OwlCreekPass_402v1.jpg Last Light at Chimney Rock The last light of the day strikes Chimney Rock abouve stands of Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) along the edges of True Grit Meadow This meadow in Owl Creek Pass in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado was the location where the final battle in the John Wayne Film True Grit was filmed. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/sailing-into-the-sunset/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0927_CO_CrestedButte_085v2.jpg Sailing Into the Sunset The hillsides around Crested Butte, Colorado, are filled with stands of Quaking Aspens (Populus tremuloides). An Aspen tree isn't really one tree… it is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine sapplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, evetually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. Crested Butte https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/field-of-gold/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0927_CO_CrestedButte_084v2.jpg Field of Gold Quaking Aspens (Populus tremuloides) grow in stands across the rolling foothills around Crested Butte, Colorado. An Aspen tree isn't really one tree… it is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. Crested Butte https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/the-forest-for-the-trees/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0926_CO_CrystalMill_100v5.jpg The Forest for the Trees Quaking Aspens (Populus tremula) grow throughout the forests of western North America. The are usually one of the species to quickly recover from a forest fire where they grow into a dense stand of similarly sized trees. One reason for this is that a stand of Aspens isn't really one tree… it is a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system. I don't know when fire last visited this stretch of Crystal Creek near Marble, Colorado, but it is definitely recovering nicely. Crystal Mill https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/grand-stand/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2015-0925_CO_GrandMesa_014v1.jpg Grand Stand A mature stand of Quaking Aspens (Populus tremuloides) reach for the sky on Grand Mesa in Western Colorado. An aspen tree isn't really one tree… it is actually a stand of clone "trees" all growing up from one root system that regenerates itself after each fire clears the landscape. Aspen trees grow quickly and provide cover for pine saplings until the pine trees begin to overtake the aspens, eventually crowding them out. Some of these root systems are among the oldest living organisms on planet Earth. Grand Mesa, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/autumns-sentinels-2/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1007_AZ_SanFranciscoPeaks_021v2.jpg Autumn's Sentinels As the earth passes through the Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the suns rays spend more time warming the south than the north, the temperatures at 9,000 feet begin to plummet toward winter and within the Inner Basin of the San Francisco Peaks in Northern Arizona, a stand of aspen clones (Populus tremuloides) responds, turning gold with a hint of orange and red. The aspen leaves glow with the light of the sun. San Francisco Peaks, Northern Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/autumns-sentinels/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2012-1007_AZ_SanFranciscoPeaks_021v2-2.jpg Autumn's Sentinels As the earth passes through the Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the suns rays spend more time warming the south than the north, the temperatures at 9,000 feet begin to plummet toward winter and within the Inner Basin of the San Francisco Peaks in Northern Arizona, a stand of aspen clones (Populus tremuloides) responds, turning gold with a hint of orange and red. The aspen leaves glow with the light of the sun. San Francisco Peaks, Northern Arizona https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/beautiful-ending/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2018-1008_CO_Ophir_118v1.jpg Beautiful Ending Some years the colors of fall slowly fade away as temperatures cool by day and drop deeper below freezing at night. Stand-by-stand, aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) drop their leaves and wait for the first snow of winter to arrive. But, in other years the first snow dramatically interrupts this slow falling towards winter and brings an abrupt, but beautiful ending to colorful season. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/photo/on-aspen-pond/ https://www.chriseatonphotography.com/images/xl/2020-1006_CO_SilverJack-ClearLake_136v2.jpg On Aspen Pond As summer cools into fall in the mountains of Colorado, a sort of alchemy takes places. Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) transform into a golden wave of color painting the basins and mountain sides. This stand of Aspen is nestled along a clear lake below the Cimarron Mountain Range. 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