My Somewhat Secret Spot

My friend and fellow WP blogger  Kelly Guymon and I visited the Coyote Buttes area Sunday along the Arizona/Utah border, home of The Wave and other geological anomalies. One spot we checked out were some colorful clay beds that not many people know about. They are hidden. But when we got to the secluded trail head, their was a family camping there and I felt like I needed to let them in on my secret place because we had to park next to their campsite.  They followed us and I know they were thrilled with this place as it is quite a place to photograph. These clay beds are very colorful and have some great definition. It is unspoiled and hopefully will stay that way. Don’t ask me for directions. It is in the Vermilion Cliffs National Recreation Area where you can really get lost.

These images are available as prints or for personal use as a downloadable file at What’s New At Dawn2Dawn Photography

 

The colorful sedimentary layer of clay is uncovered at Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

 

The colorful sedimentary layer of clay is uncovered at Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

 

The colorful sedimentary layer of clay is uncovered at Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

 

The colorful sedimentary layer of clay is uncovered at Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

 

The colorful sedimentary layer of clay is uncovered at Vermillon Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

 

The colorful sedimentary layer of clay is uncovered at Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

 

The colorful sedimentary layer of clay is uncovered at Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

 

The colorful sedimentery layer of clay is uncovered at Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
That’s the skull of a departed cow.

 

The colorful sedimentary layer of clay is uncovered at Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

 

The colorful sedimentary layer of clay is uncovered at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

 

Clay Beds Kelly_8855Kelly

 

A near full moon rises over the sandstone cliffs at Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
A near full moon rises over the sandstone cliffs at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

31 responses to “My Somewhat Secret Spot”

  1. Lutz Braum Avatar

    gorgeous! thanks for sharing (and for not posting directions!)

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      Thanks Lutz!

  2. Eliza Waters Avatar

    These formations are incredible! I assume the colors are from leached minerals? They are breathtaking!

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      Thanks Eliza. You’re right about the minerals!

  3. Hamster Patrol Avatar

    I think I have some new screen savers! Thank you for posting…these rocks really look like they’ve been spray painted.

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      I actually sell these images. See link on post.

  4. markquijano Avatar

    Beautiful photos.

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar
  5. katelon Avatar

    Beautiful. I’m looking forward to making it back to Utah and hiring you for some hiking/photography tours.:)

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      Thanks Katelon!

  6. mercedescatalan Avatar

    Incredible colors!!! It’s somehow similar to the colors of Landmannalaugar in Iceland! Is this also because of volcanic activity?
    Anyway, beautiful images!

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      I’d like to visit Iceland because of its beautiful landscapes. These clay beds were a result of sediments deposited while this area was under a sea of water millions of years ago. The colors were produced by the leeching of different minerals.

  7. harrienijland Avatar

    Wonderful!

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      Thanks Harrie!

  8. Amy Avatar

    Fascinating! Thank you so much for sharing the beautiful photos, Michael!

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      Anytime Amy!

  9. absengeralois Avatar

    fantastic!

  10. George McNeill Avatar

    What a great place, looks like nature graffiti artists got there before you. great images.

  11. Tippy Gnu Avatar

    What a colorful find. I understand your concern. I have a few favorite spots, myself, that I exercise discretion when revealing to others.

  12. Michael Evans Photographer Avatar

    These are amazing! I seem to only get a few minutes each week to catch up on blog reading, but I always look forward to your posts. I don’t do a great deal of landscape work (thank you for commenting on the Gibson’s beach image btw) but I always find your stuff to be so inspirational.

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      Thanks Michael. Your ocean photo has got me excited as I am going back to California’s Coast this week.

  13. the eternal traveller Avatar

    Fantastic that you shared it with the campers. Beautiful photos.

  14. Basil Rene Avatar

    Been to Sedona twice and now I have to get up to the Utah border if I ever go to AZ again. Thanks for sharing

  15. Emilio Pasquale Avatar

    Love these images. They remind me a lot of Zabriskie Point and Artist’s Palette- both in Death Valley. You’ve inspired me to get back out there and take photos of bot!

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      I don’t know if you need inspiration, you seem to do well on your own, but thanks. If you’re going to be in this area, let me know and I’ll give you directions to this spot.

  16. Hemangini Avatar

    wow such beauty… nature is indeed the most wonderful painter.

  17. lauramacky Avatar

    They are glorious!! Wonderful photography!

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      Thanks Laura.

  18. J.R. Robinson Avatar

    I’ll need to find that place next time I’m down there…

  19. Dinata Misovec Avatar

    We saw a rainbow-colored landscape in southeastern Spain some years ago. It was not defined like those in your photos, but at one time the landscape was green, then blue, another time yellow, another time purple for miles on end. Even the air above the ground seemed colored to match the ground and rocks below.

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