Especially from above.
I’ve driven past this area in Utah many times, passing Factory Butte and its badlands. But when you observe the landscape from above, a whole new world comes alive.
Erosion from wind, water and time have carved a masterpiece. The soft soil below is of Mancos Shale which produces a blue-grey color while the more erosion-resistant yellow Emery sandstone protects the tops.
Look for flyover video later today.
These grow on my property and are one of may favorite flowers as they’re so photogenic and are also used to produce a popular herbal tea.
These coneflowers of the Echinacea species are used to make an extremely popular herbal tea, purported to help strengthen the immune system; an extract is also available in tablet or liquid form in pharmacies and health food stores. Often cultivated, Purple Coneflower is a showy, easily grown garden plant.
Had to bring another photography friend to the clay beds at Coyote Buttes. Lian had never seen anything quite like this place.
Recent rains swept water through the many washes in Southern Utah and yielded some interesting abstract patterns in nature.
With monsoonal storms passing through Southern Utah, you never know what you may encounter. I think this was a close encounter of the best kind! Clouds obscured the setting sun, setting up a dance of light and sunbeams that provided a visual feast.
More from Eureka Dunes at Death Valley National Park, California.
These images and those from previous posts are available at What’s New At Dawn2Dawn Photography!
All Word Press Members receive a 25% discount by using code WP2018 at checkout.
Second post of three from my recent hike through Coyote Buttes North and The Wave. The areas on the hike to and just beyond The Wave are incredible in their own right. Little known Sand Cove and Fatali’s Boneyard are fascinating.
The lines and shapes of the sand dunes at Eureka Valley at Death Valley National Park make for some good abstract images. The contrast between shadows and highlights also accentuate the abstractness.
This is probably the eight time I’ve visited Eureka Dunes at Death Valley National Park and I still get a thrill from the experience. Once again I was buzzed by fighter jets but these jets from nearby China Lake Naval Base. I spent a couple of days here so I’ll have 2 or 3 posts from here. What’s great about sand dunes is that they are always shifting so you may see something you hadn’t seen before including your own shadow!(See Below) Is that my shadow or someone else standing down there?
There is no paved parking lot. No signs. No shuttle buses. No entrance booth. No park rangers. No rails along the canyon rim. No guides. No hot dog stands. No mules to take you into the canyon. No Visitor Center. No visitors! Edward Abbey would approve of this place. In fact, it’s hard to find Coal Mine Canyon listed on any map. You’re suppose to look for the windmill near a farmhouse and water tank south of Tuba City. And that’s the way it should be.
Coal Mine Canyon could easily be its own National Park. It is in a remote part of Northern Arizona on the border of the Navajo and Hopi Indian Reservations. There are remnants of coal deposits in the canyon that the Hopis mined in the past. But hues of orange, magenta, gold, cyan and yellow dominate the canyon walls. Abstract shapes, patterns, and warped lines grab your attention.
My next post will be of the canyon next door to Coal Mine, Ha Ho No Geh Canyon. These images and more are available as downloadable files or signed prints at Dawn2Dawn Photography
