Category Archives: Geology

Goblin Valley

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“Goblin Army”
Goblin Valley, Utah

Goblin Valley is located close to Capitol Reef National Park in south central Utah. It is an intriguing sight. I have never seen anything that is similar. The clay mushroom figures range from about 6 feet to 12 feet high. They looked like an army of “goblins” waiting to march into a fight.

When we arrived, the area was in the middle of a heavy downpour. We had to wait underneath a shelter overlooking the valley for almost an hour before the rain let up enough to venture out. The walk down into the valley was slow and slippery. Mud came up over the ankles of my boots. It was a messy slog through the valley but well worth it!

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Soldiers on the March

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“Soldiers on the March”
Goblin Valley, Utah

Down I walked into Goblin Valley. Stone soldiers were gathered around waiting for their leader to give direction. I walked around and around through their midsts and found this line of soldiers starting to march. I quickly formed into line with my camera and tripod on my shoulder like a rifle. On we marched out of the valley to a destination unknown. I slid out of ranks and sneaked back to my car.

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Capitol Reef: Temple of the Moon

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“Full Moon Over Temple of the Moon”

Sometimes I get lucky.  Walking along the washes between the Temple of the Moon and Temple of the Sun in Capitol Reef, I looked east and saw a full moon rising over the horizon. I positioned myself west of the Temple of the Moon.   I waited over an hour for the sky to darken and the moon to rise above the temple monolith.  While waiting, I thought about the spiritual ramifications that were felt by the ancient native Americans thousands of years ago.   It was well worth the wait.

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Capitol Reef: Skyline Point #2

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Skyline Point – The Henrys

Back to black and white.  I photographed this image in the middle of my last afternoon at Capitol Reef.  Who says you can’t create a good image in the middle of the day.  It was a beautiful afternoon.  The overhead sun lit up the Henry Mountains as well as provided nice shadows in the valley below.  I had the point all by myself.  It was a wonderful and peaceful feeling.  Looking down at the cliff walls and valley below, I was experiencing over 100 million years of history.  Human existence is pretty insignificant in the scheme of the natural wonders of our planet.  Let us all protect it for future generations.

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Capitol Reef: Yellow, Orange, Red, Blue, Purple, Grey

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Skyline Point Near Capitol Reef, Utah

I recently completed a workshop with John Barclay and Mitch Dobrowner at Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.  This view is from a plateau cliff overlooking a valley 400-500 feet below.  My knees were shaky as I got near the edge.  My tripod saved me.  First, it was a nice brace to have between me and the edge.  And second, there was no way I could have hand-held a shot with my wobbly knees.

My focus for this workshop was to work on my black and white skills with Mitch Dobrowner.  However, when I saw this variety of color, I could not pass the opportunity to share this experience in color.

The view from Skyline Point was breathtaking.  It is a 270 degree panorama of a colorful unearthly landscape.  The point is a sheer cliff falling down to the valley down below..  Approaching the point, one has no idea that the plateau stops abruptly to this scene.   

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Alabama Hills #6

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“Moon-Set Over the Sierra Nevada’s”

We got up early to see the moon set over the Sierras and Alabama Hills as they were being highlighted by the early morning sun.  It was a great morning.  We feasted on pancakes in Lone Pine afterwards!!!  The morning even got better!

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Alabama Hills #4

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“Alien”

This image is a repeat of a prior post in 2018.  I was driving through the Alabama Hills, turned a corner and saw this strange looking alien staring right at me.  Chills ran down my back!  I quickly pulled off the road, let the dust settle, and introduced myself.  He didn’t say much and just frowned.  

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Abstract Art is Everywhere 2

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Abstract 1:  Barnet Newman’s “Achilles” – National Gallery of Art

Abstract 2:  National Gallery of Art – East Wing, Exterior

Abstract 3: Volcanic Cliff

Simple lines of abstract art are intriguing.  They can be found everywhere.  Some are works created in art mediums (paintings, sculptures, etc.).  Others are created by architectural forms. Still others are found in nature.

Abstract 1 is an oil painting created by Barnet Newman titled “Achilles”.  I stood and looked at this piece for quite a long time.  Rather than try to figure out “what it is meant to be”, I tried to focus on what feeling it brought out in me.  The red made me feel a little anxious.  I did not resonate with this piece.

Abstract 2 is a photograph of the exterior of the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art.  I was walking along, looked up and saw these contrasting shapes of shadows and light.  It just grabbed me.

Abstract 3 is a photograph of the sheer basalt cliffs cut by the Palouse River during the Ice Age Floods.  Nature’s artwork stops me in my tracks.  Sometimes I just do not want to leave.  It instills me to think about how our would was formed and just enjoy the beauty of nature surrounding me.

Art is everywhere!

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Painted Hills

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Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds, Oregon

The following is one of the lessons that I have learned from who knows where:  When you see something interesting in the background, find something else interesting in the foreground to add to it.  The red hills in eastern Oregon caught my eye.  I am intrigued by sagebrush.  One plus one equals three.  I can still smell the wonderful aroma of sage as I look at this image.

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