Click here for a larger view Photo and narrative by Winston “Rocky” Rockwell.
One of the most scenic and visually stunning places in this land of wonderful photo opportunities is Bryce Canyon National Park, in southern Utah. The park hosts thousands of visitors every year, with people coming from all over the world to marvel at the incredible shapes and colors Mother Nature has created here.
Bryce Canyon isn’t really a canyon at all… it’s the eroded eastern face of a plateau that rises to an elevation of 9,000 feet at the park’s highest point. Over the eons, wind, rain, ice and snow have combined to create the amazing stone spires and towers, called “hoodoos”, for which the park is famous. Many are well over a hundred feet tall, and one feels quite small walking in among these giants.
One of the attractions of Bryce Canyon for photographers – aside from the unearthly shapes of the rock formations – is the amazing colors with which The Artist paints these hoodoos as the light changes. His palette ranges from deep magentas and mauves to pale oranges and yellows, and as the sun plays among the spires, the dance of light and shadow create an ever-changing visual feast.
The best time to photograph the hoodoos is in early morning, when the sun is low in the sky. By mid-morning, the colors have largely been replaced by a flat, orange hue which, while intriguing in its own right, doesn’t match the spectacular shades that are visible earlier in the day. This shot was taken at about 6:45 AM. The sun had just climbed over the horizon, and the light danced and reflected among the hoodoos, illuminating some as though they were lit from within, while others displayed the rich colors and subtle shadings for which the canyon is justly famous.
I spent several days at Bryce, photographing the wonders it offers, and even now, looking at this image, I am amazed at the stunning beauty Nature has wrought. A visitor here comes away with more than just memories of some of the most spectacular vistas on the planet; one cannot help but be awestruck by the sense of the passing centuries spinning endlessly into the past, and the amazing tapestry of stone which The Artist has patiently created. It’s as much a spiritual experience as a visual one, and anyone who visits there will be the richer for it.
This photo was taken with a Canon EOS 30D and Tamron SP24-135 lens at 111mm, 1/160 second @ f/10. To see more of my images, please visit www.northwestnaturalimagery.com.
Another amazing photo by one of the masters. I visited this park some 20 years ago Rocky has captured the way I recall the view. We have our scenic areas in SW VA & E TN but they are different from the western states. Our Creator knew what he was doing when he gave his children these wondrous works of nature.
Phenomenal photo Rocky!!!! The lighting and colors are just incredible!! I would love to visit this area someday!! You MUST look at this photo in the larger view!! It is great small, but even more stunning in the larger. Thanks for sharing this one! Another wall hanger IMHO!!
Wow-Amazing shot! Great colors and lighting magnificent!
Truly Magnificent!!!
Another stunner, Rocky. You and I are going to have to swap places some day so I can enjoy the wonders of your western vistas and you can take in the beauty of our more elderly eastern mountains. My wife has always had a hankerin’ to travel out west and your wonderful images only make it more of an imperative!
Beautiful photo. Striking actually.
Awe inspiring!
This photo moves to the top spot on my favorite Winston Rockwell photographs.
I love the southwest and this scene captures it magnificently. Thanks Rocky!
Mr. Rockwell, you have created yet another masterpiece in today’s picture. Fantastic job!
Excellent effort Rocky.
I also have been to Bryce Canyon, and Mr. Rockwell has catured every bit of the beauty and mystique that I remember so well in this amazing photograph. All I can say is “OUTSTANDING JOB SIR”.
Amazing job as always Rocky!