Thor's Hammer, the left side of the photo, at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. Thor's Hammer is a spectacular example of a hoodoo, which is sometimes referred to as a tent rock or fairy chimney. They form because of erosion processes and may be found in badland areas whenever relatively hard rock overlays softer more erodible rock, such as sandstone. Thors Hammer is one the Iconic hoodoos in Bryce Canyon and can be seen from Navajo Trail.
Dinosaur National Monument Canyon
Looking out over Dinosaur National Monument in Northwest Colorado is a wonderful experience. The canyons span out under you and you can see for miles into the heart of the beautiful American West.
Exploring Anasazi Nogales Cliff House Ruins
Nogales Cliff House in the Santa Fe National Forest in northern New Mexico. Our hike led us up a steep hillside to a hamlet of minimally excavated Anasazi Gallina houses as well as a series of garden terraces. The residents of this settlement must have enjoyed their rooms with a view over the Llaves Valley. Teig definitely enjoyed the hike and we had this awesome view along the long forgotten garden terraces to the larger cliff dwellings. It is so exciting to be able to explore the hidden archaeological treasures.
Nogales Cliff House Ruins
Nogales Cliff House in the Santa Fe National Forest in northern New Mexico. It is situated in an alcove formed by sandstone cliffs. This well-preserved ruin is a structure that was probably built around 1,000 A.D. by a Pueblo Indian Group specific to this area called the Gallina Anasazi. It was abandoned some time in the 1,200’s.
Lybrook NM Badlands
We explored this badlands which is not well known. Lybrook is in northwest New Mexico on the Navajo Indian Reservation. I was surprised how rugged and beautiful the rock formation were with numerous hoodoos and arches. We spent a whole day exploring some of the canyons and cliffs. It was well worth the time spent.
Capitol Reef Afternoon
The views you can enjoy on a beautiful afternoon in Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park.
The Cross in the Desert
I went to the Monastery of Christ in the Desert. This benedictine monastic grounds is near Abiquiu, New Mexico which has a Abbey on the banks of the Chama River. I walked and meditated at this monastery and sauntered through the grounds. The scenery and extreme quiet was very appealing to me. This cross was below the large cliffs that arise above this compound.
Mission Catholic Cross
I visited the Benedictine Abbey of Christ in the Desert in Northern New Mexico. I meditated and explored myself in introspection on a beautiful morning at this wonderful place. Everyone is welcome and the place is so very peaceful. I walked the grounds and captured many images of the figures that fascinated me. This photo is of one of the crosses at a meditation shrine… just wonderful.
Green Arroyos in Badlands
Badlands National Park in South Dakota has some green areas. One of those areas is in the arroyos in between the hills in the park. This vast badlands is broken by the lush green areas in these low lying locations that gather moisture and rain from the hills.
Green Arroyos in Badlands
Light Streak in Capitol Reef
An early morning exploration of Capitol Reef National Park in Central Utah. Scenic drive road sits up against the WaterPocket Fold and is beautiful as the sun’s light begins to light the park. A lone car heading towards the village of Fruita sped by as I photographed the sandstone faces. It’s a wonderful time to be in the park with no crowds to displace the serenity of this majestic location
Light Streak in Capitol Reef
Viewing Bryce Canyon Amphitheaters
On a beautiful fall morning in Bryce Canyon National Park. Taking a short hike up to Inspiration Point, I stopped on the way to capture this view of the Amphitheaters. Bryce Canyon is a mesmerizing location and even with the crowds an artist can find their inspiration. The major feature of the park is Bryce Canyon, which despite its name, is not a canyon, but a collection of giant natural amphitheaters along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos, formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rocks.
Viewing Bryce Canyon Amphitheaters