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.

Desert Flora on Tabeau Peak Ridge

Teig and I were hiking up Tabeau Peak above Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark in  southwest Utah and we came upon this beautiful view on a ridge off the trail. The flora here was so quaint with the views of the valley far below and the mountains in the distance that I was compelled to take a photograph.

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.

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.

Boot Prints on the Badlands

Some sauntering explorer crossed the Bisti Badlands on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. We came across these boot prints while doing some of our own exploration of this fantastic desert landscape. I wonder what interesting things they encountered on their walkabout?

Colorado Traildog Standing in the Bisti Badlands

Teig standing tall and facing the setting sun in the Bisti Badlands of New Mexico.

Farewell Sunshine on Flat Rock

Last rays of the autumn sun reflecting off a beautiful flat rock formation in the Bisti Badlands of New Mexico.

Teig Waiting in the Bisti Badlands

Teig did a fair amount of waiting on me when we were in the Bisti Badlands. It was late fall so at least it was cool out and not scorching in the high Colorado Plateau desert. He still liked finding some shade to sit in while I composed numerous landscape images… patiently waiting to be off sauntering in these badlands.