2. Photography

American Southwest

A photo journey of the great American Southwest - Arizona, Utah, Colorado. The trip that took us to the Grand Canyon, Petrified National Forest, Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon. All this in winter. A truly fascinating place and no wonder Edward Abbey wanted to keep untouched (except for beer can mile markers).
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  • Grand Canyon is nothing if not grand. I found it very hard to capture the emotions it inspires. This is a 1x4 pano shot on a cloudy day from Yavapai point.

    Grand Canyon is nothing if not grand. I found it very hard to capture the emotions it inspires. This is a 1x4 pano shot on a cloudy day from Yavapai point.

  • A three picture pano from Shoshone point. This is late morning and the sun started peeping through the clouds. Soon the clouds came in and the canyon - large as it is - vanished behind them.

    A three picture pano from Shoshone point. This is late morning and the sun started peeping through the clouds. Soon the clouds came in and the canyon - large as it is - vanished behind them.

  • Late evening light on the canyon formations - picture from Hopi Point. Sometimes implied detail is more eloquent.

    Late evening light on the canyon formations - picture from Hopi Point. Sometimes implied detail is more eloquent.

  • Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. This is a tree trunk that turned into quartz. It was subsequently polished to a high gloss - the process is not easy.

    Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. This is a tree trunk that turned into quartz. It was subsequently polished to a high gloss - the process is not easy.

  • A perfect example of a tree trunk turned into stone. Not quite Pink Floyd lyrics, but the colors are just as psychedelic!

    A perfect example of a tree trunk turned into stone. Not quite Pink Floyd lyrics, but the colors are just as psychedelic!

  • A fallen petrified tree. These are breaking up into small pieces over time. The pieces are being stolen from the park at an alarming rate. Please help conserve this geologic marvel for our children.

    A fallen petrified tree. These are breaking up into small pieces over time. The pieces are being stolen from the park at an alarming rate. Please help conserve this geologic marvel for our children.

  • The minerals mixed up in the soil give the impression of a painted desert. The shades are pastel - not Bollywood.

    The minerals mixed up in the soil give the impression of a painted desert. The shades are pastel - not Bollywood.

  • Canyon de Chelly is one of the jewels of Arizona. The two pronged canyon housed ancestral Pueblans in the 13th century. They found it safe, though not too convenient, to build their houses up in the canyon walls. This can be viewed only by entering the canyon, guided by a Navajo Indian guide.

    Canyon de Chelly is one of the jewels of Arizona. The two pronged canyon housed ancestral Pueblans in the 13th century. They found it safe, though not too convenient, to build their houses up in the canyon walls. This can be viewed only by entering the canyon, guided by a Navajo Indian guide.

  • Much photographed and viewed, these are the well known White House ruins. The fall colours have not entirely left the cottonwood trees.

    Much photographed and viewed, these are the well known White House ruins. The fall colours have not entirely left the cottonwood trees.

  • The famous spider rock. Arguably, it is more photogenic when photographed from the top. But this sacred site is truly special and this can be experienced only from the canyon floor.

    The famous spider rock. Arguably, it is more photogenic when photographed from the top. But this sacred site is truly special and this can be experienced only from the canyon floor.

  • A bird's eye view of the northern prong of the Canyon de Chelly (called Canyon del Muerto).

    A bird's eye view of the northern prong of the Canyon de Chelly (called Canyon del Muerto).

  • How does one photograph Monument Valley - the site of no less than twenty movies. It is the veritable logo of the west.

    How does one photograph Monument Valley - the site of no less than twenty movies. It is the veritable logo of the west.

  • The buttes in Monument Valley ironically provide an abstraction for the "flatness" of the floor from which they rise.

    The buttes in Monument Valley ironically provide an abstraction for the "flatness" of the floor from which they rise.

  • The famous mittens of Monument Valley. Throw in John Wayne and the picture is complete.

    The famous mittens of Monument Valley. Throw in John Wayne and the picture is complete.

  • Black and White gives a different feel - the red foreground is missing and the buttes seem much farther away - more remote - more rugged - more "West".

    Black and White gives a different feel - the red foreground is missing and the buttes seem much farther away - more remote - more rugged - more "West".

  • The Spruce Hill house in Mesa Verde. In spite of the cold, people still visit this unique park. A classic Ancestral Pueblan construction.

    The Spruce Hill house in Mesa Verde. In spite of the cold, people still visit this unique park. A classic Ancestral Pueblan construction.

  • When you rely on remoteness, difficult access, harsh weather to protect you - life cannot be easy. The hardy puebloans who lived here mysteriously vanished at the end of the 13th century.

    When you rely on remoteness, difficult access, harsh weather to protect you - life cannot be easy. The hardy puebloans who lived here mysteriously vanished at the end of the 13th century.

  • Winters in Mesa Verde are harsh. Though the deer are well camouflaged, there is not a hint of green anywhere to be seen.

    Winters in Mesa Verde are harsh. Though the deer are well camouflaged, there is not a hint of green anywhere to be seen.

  • The veritable symbol of Arches national park - the delicate arch - is an appealing challenge. To photograph it in a way no one else has its rewards.

    The veritable symbol of Arches national park - the delicate arch - is an appealing challenge. To photograph it in a way no one else has its rewards.

  • A man made cairn is no match for a natural cairn.

    A man made cairn is no match for a natural cairn.

  • Setting sun lights up the red sandstone in the windows section of the Arches. The La Sal mountains provide a pleasing contrast.

    Setting sun lights up the red sandstone in the windows section of the Arches. The La Sal mountains provide a pleasing contrast.

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    Black and White gives a different feel - the red foreground is missing and the buttes seem much farther away - more remote - more rugged - more "West".
    The Spruce Hill house in Mesa Verde. In spite of the cold, people still visit this unique park. A classic Ancestral Pueblan construction.
    When you rely on remoteness, difficult access, harsh weather to protect you - life cannot be easy. The hardy puebloans who lived here mysteriously vanished at the end of the 13th century.