Teig was enjoying the cool shade provided by the Aztec Sandstone while we were hiking in the Valley of Fire State Park.
Strange Formations
There are many strange and wondrous rock formations at the Bisti Badlands. When you explore the area your imagination runs free and you see so many different things in the formations. I love letting my mind spin in it’s own creativity.
Labradoodle, Sand and Badlands
Teig resting in the fine sand of the Bisti Badlands of New Mexico. It was late in the afternoon and the warm November sun was moving towards sunset in the west. We had been exploring the rock formations all day and I had sat down in the sand to rest for a moment and Teig did the same. There is something supremely special about the deserts of the southwest when you hear no sounds of civilization.
Valley of Fire Rock Formations at Night
Beautiful red rock formations on a winter's night in the Valley of Fire State Park in southern Nevada. Exploring the desert after dark is one of my favorite things and the beautiful rocks at the park make for great compositions at night under the stars. On this night, I was up exploring until 4 am in the morning getting some of those fun shots of the landscape under the night sky.
Red Sandstone Hammer Formation
Teig and I came across this cool structure while hiking among the beautiful red rock formations in Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. The deep colored red sandstone is so cool to explore in the park. This location is a must to explore when traveling through southern Nevada.
Backcountry Road in Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark
Not a soul could be found when we were sauntering in the backcountry near Tabeau Peak in the Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark. Teig and I love these secluded spots where few people visit or spend their time. I will always choose this type of location rather than a crowded tourist attraction.
Joshua Trees as Moon Rises over Desert Mountains
I spent a fun couple of winter's nights in Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark outside St. George Utah. The evenings were cool and the stars and clouds made for some good night photography. The Joshua Trees really come alive when lighted by the moon or a flashlight. I spent a few hours every night shooting the landscape and stars. I really adore nights in the southwestern deserts.
Joshua Trees on Mojave Desert Floor
Cool Joshua Trees covering Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark. Yucca brevifolia is a plant species belonging to the genus Yucca. It is tree-like in habit, which is reflected in its common names: Joshua tree, yucca palm, tree yucca, and palm tree yucca. The name "Joshua tree" is commonly said to have been given by a group of Mormon settlers crossing the Mojave Desert in the mid-19th century: The tree's role in guiding them through the desert combined with its unique shape reminded them of a biblical story in which Joshua keeps his hands reached out for an extended period of time to guide the Israelites in their conquest of Canaan.
Joshua Tree and Tabeau Peak
A beautiful Joshua Tree with Tabeau Peak in the background at Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark in south western Utah.
A Forest of Joshua Trees
This beautiful place is the only spot where you'll find Joshua trees in Utah, and it's also the farthest north point in the U.S. to find tree yuccas. The Joshua Tree Natural Area covers 1,052 acres of federally-protected land. It was designated in 1966. The scenery is downright stunning with the desert foliage right in front of you, and the vast land stretching toward the mountains in the distance, you'll feel like you've found your own remote piece of heaven.
Desert Mountains and Joshua Trees
The desert southwest is a beautiful location to saunter and explore in the winter. It very rarely snows and it is mostly t-shirt and shorts weather this time of year. This landscape photo was created in Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark in Utah and the contrast of the Joshua Trees and barren mountains helps with composing desert landscape compositions. It is hard to get a bad landscape photo here in the winter.
Joshua Tree beneath Rugged Mountain Range
The beauty of a Joshua Tree on the desert floor underneath the rugged Mountains in Southwestern Utah.
Mountain Range in the Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area
A panoramic view of the desert mountains from the Woodbury Desert Study Area in southwestern Utah. The study area lies within both the Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area and Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark. The range is high in elevation above the Mojave desert below.
Joshua Trees in the American Desert
In the southwestern corner of Utah is a not very well known forest of Joshua Trees. The Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark is the location of this forest and stretches out for miles. Sauntering in this valley you can see how special this area is with the plethora of trees that cover the basin between the desert mountains. Each of these trees is a work of art and this photographer found a multitude of compositions worthy of documentation through photography.
Joshua Tree in Utah Basin
Numerous interesting Joshua trees can be found while exploring the desert basin in Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark. This unique location in southwestern Utah is a gem for photographers and adventures wanting to capture some of the American desert experience. It is awesome to be here in the winter months when the normal high temperatures hover around 70 degrees fahrenheit.
Lone Joshua Tree in Utah Desert
Late morning view in south-western Utah's Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark. Joshua trees range from here to the Mojave desert in southern California. It is fun to be able to saunter around this beautiful area in late December.
Resting Among Dinosaur Eggs
Teig taking a rest in the patch of dinosaur eggs in the Bisti Badlands of New Mexico. What better place to take a load off then rock formations that look like prehistoric eggs?
White Hill in Bisti Rock Field
A white "Mountain" in some interesting rock formations deep inside the Bisti Badlands. This area was once a riverine delta that lay just to the west of the shore of an ancient sea, the Western Interior Seaway, which covered much of New Mexico 70 million years ago.
Classic Teig at Bisti Badlands
A classic Teig pose at the beautiful Bisti Badlands in the desert Southwest. This pose is what usually occurs when I tell Teig to wait and I raise my camera up… he then proceeds to sit down and stare magnificently off into the distance. He has perfected this regal pose and uses it all the time. Models seem to have their fall back comfort pose and I believe this is his. I can’t complain because I really do love the pose and I love him too!
Petrified Log Alter
We found this petrified log on a rock pedestal in the Bisti Badlands of northern New Mexico. The log was so cool on the pedestal that it looked like it could have been alter used by the Anasazi Indians who lived in the area over 700 years ago. This wonderful surprise is why Teig and I love to explore the American West.