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Monument Valley

Six hours in Monument Valley, November 26, 2015.
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  • Rock Stars

    Rock Stars

    This was the first thing I saw as I walked the short distance from the parking lot to the lip of the canyon overlooking the monument. This rock in the foreground and it's twin to the right are part of a famous Ansel Adams photographic composition. They have been photographed by countless photographers through the years. I wouldn't be surprised to find out this particular composition has been done a million times or so. Still, it is a slice in time never to be repeated no matter how original or not it is.

  • The famous Mittens of Monument Valley

    The famous Mittens of Monument Valley

    Some of the most recognized rock on the planet.

  • Monumental Gulch

    Monumental Gulch

    The first bit of rock goodness on the self-guided tour of Monument Valley.

  • Chocolate Layer Cake

    Chocolate Layer Cake

    Deep chocolate and caramel tones along with a large helping of stone slab make this cake something monumental. Elephant Butte, Monument Valley.

  • Untitled photo
  • Red Sand Monument Panorama

    Red Sand Monument Panorama

    The sand was the most pleasing color of brown-red. It changed color all day long as the sun and clouds moved along.

  • The Three Sisters

    The Three Sisters

    How many more sisters are still waiting for geologic time to be revealed?

  • Sisters

    Sisters

    A shadow cast by the Three Sisters resembles a woman standing defiantly with a hand on her hip and her pony tail flying in the breeze. Monument Valley.

  • Totems

    Totems

    A panoramic view of the iconic Totem and Yei Bi Chei at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. This was the last of my big trips in 2015. I only had a few hours in the park and I made the best of it.

  • Totem Panorama

    Totem Panorama

    A wide look at the neighborhood around the iconic Totem Pole and Yei Bi Chei in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

  • White Stripe

    White Stripe

    A few thin clouds meander by. Monument Valley, November 2015.

  • You Oughta be in Pictures.

    You Oughta be in Pictures.

    Many a Hollywood western was filmed in and around the rock formations of Monument Valley. It's really fun to watch old movies and see the familiar landmarks go by, and then a little later, go by again. Most epic on-screen journeys were probably only a few hundred yards in any direction.

  • Sisters

    Sisters

    Camel Butte with The Three Sisters standing in the distance.

  • Butte Beauty

    Butte Beauty

    The brutish beauty of the buttes of Monument Valley. Cly (foreground) and Camel Buttes with Mitchell Mesa and the Three Sisters in the distance on the left. To the right, the Mittens and more. This was the last good light before the sun dropped below some clouds on the horizon. I watched a small pack of dogs scouring the rocks looking for prey near the base of Cly butte. There were three of them, medium-sized and pretty nimble. I didn't see them at first. Instead, I heard them tipping the unstable rocks over they were walking on. I was a bit worried they might give me a visit. You never know how they are going to be, so, my plan was to keep my distance. They had clearly seen me and weren't particularly interested, so I continued to watch them for a while. Eventually, they moved on, but I kept them in the back of my mind just in case. My dogs were in the truck all locked up from harm. Nevertheless, It was strange to have to worry about so-called "wildlife" in a place like this. It had me on edge. I didn't want any unexpected visitors. They weren't really wild animals, but someone's "pets" nearby. Wild animals are way more predictable. They usually steer clear. But a pack of feral dogs might not be so shy. Caution prevailed.

  • Silent Sunset

    Silent Sunset

    I spent over a hour hanging out at Cly Butte. I photographed in the changing light until the sun went behind the clouds on the horizon. Everything went gray. Now, the big waiting game began. Would there be a sunset? It was anyone's guess. I would either be happily taking some more beautiful shots or my day was already over. Just when the sunset started to go off, a car stopped right in front of what I had lined up in the camera. A woman jump out of the passenger car door, then standing on the car's seat to get a better and higher view. She obviously didn't see me and I almost said something, but thankfully she moved off after getting her shot. I had to chuckle a bit considering how many times this kind of thing had happened during the course of my day. I was thrilled the sunset did its thing even as contained as it was. I was ready for OMG, but got considerably less. Still, I figured I had taken the best photo of the trip. I stayed until it was almost dark out basking in the glow of a great day. It was completely silent out. Not a bird, jet, car or even the hint of a breeze was to be heard. It was a gorgeous, full-day of adventure and I was tired. It was a good tired.

  • Mitchell Mesa Sunset

    Mitchell Mesa Sunset

    A cropped version of "Silent Sunset" featuring Rain God Mesa, The Three Sisters on Mitchell Mesa and Camel Butte.

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