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  • Near a bend in the San Juan River near Bluff, Utah, a sunrise emerges from behind a long view of the San Miguel Mountains in Colorado.
    Bluff Sunrise_IMG4245.JPG
  • Earth's shadow takes a bite out of the Moon on it's way to consuming it entirely. Valley of the Gods, Bluff Utah
    Lunar Eclipse Begins.JPG
  • Indian tribes still control significant amounts of land in their ancestral homelands.  Navajos live on  their lands around Bluff. They farm and ranch. This lone windmill fills the adjacent reservoir, which in turn sends its water to the stock watering tank behind the windmill.  The distant mountain range on the left is known as "The Sleeping Ute". It is located in Colorado, about .40 miles distant.
    Navajo Windmill.JPG
  • Recapture Pocket is an area of "Hoodoos" near Bluff, UT. Hoodoos are so-named because they reminded early visitors of ghostly apparitions.
    Recapture Pocket 2.JPG
  • A few miles west of Bluff, Utah is Comb Ridge, a steep ridge running 80 miles in a north/south direction from Kayenta, Arizona to the foothills of the Abajo Mountains near Blanding.  Tilted at almost 20 degrees and over one mile wide, its name comes from the jagged appearance of the ridge which resembles a rooster’s comb.<br />
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This natural marvel is a classic example of what geologists call a monocline, or a step-like bend of the earth’s rock layers in one direction.  This blunt rock extension occurred nearly 65 million years ago, when tectonic plates buried deep under the earth’s surface slipped, leaving a rugged scar across once smooth stone. (credit: bluffutah.org)
    Comb Ridge.JPG
  • From 500  feet above the river, it still required four shots to take in this impressive panoramic view.
    Prospectors Loop, San Juan River.JPG
  • On the right is the totem pole - not a thing the Navaho used. On the left are the Yei Bi Chei - representing Navajo gods dancing out of a Hogan.
    Totem Pole and Yei Bi Chei_IMG4528.JPG
  • "River House" ancient puebloan dwelling sits by the bank of the the San Juan River. It is an exceptionally large house and well decorated with pictographs. In these houses, there is typically a circular room, known as the kiva, which was set aside for prayer, community discussion and sacred rituals.
    River House Kiva.JPG
  • Along the Comb Ridge wash road, this old shack served as an overnight shelter for cattle hands.
    Cowboy Shelter_IMG4402.JPG
  • A Monument Valley overlook that is frequently photographed and painted. The arrangement of monuments gives a natural, deep view across the valley. From right to left: East Mitten, Unnamed spires, Sentinel Mesa.
    Navajo Code Talker Point_IMG4551.JPG
  • From 500  feet above the river, it still took six shots to take in the whole view.
    San Juan River_IMG4251-Pano.JPG
  • A morning moon hangs above the Three Sisters formation in Monument Valley.
    Moon Over Three Sisters.JPG
  • Looking East from Rain God Mesa one sees the tall grouping including Totem Pole with the Yei Bi Chei (Navajo Gods), backlit by the morning sun. Monument Valley, AZ
    Yei Bi Chei and Totem Pole from Rain...JPG
  • When visiting Monument Valley, one must take a photo of the "big three", two mittens and Merrick. Being there at sunset is a bonus. This four shot panorama helps to put the emphasis on the monuments.
    Monument Valley View_IMG4484-Pano.JPG
  • In the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park, there is a spot on the Devil's Point trail where you can see this phenomenon. At certain times of the year, when the angle of the sun is right, the morning sun shines through a space betwen these rock columns to creat this dramatic effect.
    Dragon's Tongue_IMG4103.JPG
  • Many Valley of the Gods features have names. If this one has a name, I could not find it. An imposing subject nonetheless.
    Unnamed Butte, Valley of the Gods.JPG
  • From a  knoll in the Valley, looking south toward Monument Valley.
    Valley of the Gods View.JPG
  • A remnant of past use. A remote corral where cattle were gathered, loaded and then moved to another location.
    Old Corral on the San Juan River.JPG
  • After driving the notorious "Moki Dugway" road up the face of the cliff to Cedar Mesa, this spectacular view overlooks the valley of the San Juan River.  Monument Valley is visible 40 miles to the south.
    Muley Point Overlook 2.JPG
  • Butler Wash runs on the backside of Comb Ridge. On this route there are many Ancient Puebloan Ruins.
    Butler Wash View.JPG
  • This panel tells a story of an ancient flood. The panel is found along the San Juan River. Ancient Puebloan paople farmed the fertile river bottoms here. The story is read from right to left. Beginning with representations of gods of thunder, creation and destruction, and many people with flailing arms and legs representing those who were swept away. On the left is a god of recreation and fertility, holding a promise of renewal and recovery.
    There Was Once a Terrible Flood.JPG
  • In Monument Valley, this area overlooks the northern view of the lower valley. It shows Elephant Butte on the left, Cly Butte on the right, and East Mitten is framed by a gnarled, dead tree.
    North Window View.JPG
  • On Cedar Mesa, Utah within the Bears Ears National Monument, is Mule Canyon. Along four miles of its South Fork, are the remains of seven structures built by the Ancestral Puebloan civilization. They abandoned their cliff-dwelling life about 800 years ago, for reasons unknown. House on Fire was a granary, not a house. It is so named because the morning sun reflecting onto the flaked sandstone of the roof overhang creates a startling flame-like appearance. In this monochrome version, the textures and shape of the sandstone overhang are even more apparent.
    House on FIre.JPG
  • The Castle is so named because of its powerful presence. (But then aren't they all)  This view includes an aged,  gnarled tree. Old, but not by geologic standards!  Also, a long exposure, which calls attention to the stationary subjects.
    Castle Butte 2.JPG
  • A curious arrangement in the Valley. Who can explain the seeming randomness of massive water flows that carved this place into its existing shapes.
    Three Mounds, Valley of the Gods.JPG
  • Near Kayenta Arizona on Navajo land is a series of volcanic diatremes. About 30 million years ago, magma pushed its way upward through cracks in the earth's crust. When the inland sea that covered the land drained - an extended, cataclysmic flow scoured  away hundreds of feet of sandstone surface. These hard rock spires remain.. The distant structure in the background, right is called Agathla Peak.
    Church Rock.JPG
  • The Castle is so named because of its powerful presence. (But then aren't they all ) A three minute exposure blurs the moving clouds into streaks, and brings all the more attention to this imposing rock tower, as it is illuminated by the setting sun.
    Castle Butte.JPG
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