Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada – March 2023 – Part 27 – Final Sunset Shoot (continued)

This is a continuation of my last sunset shoot in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada in March 2023.

For continuity, I’m including an image from the previous post.

Transformation

As the golden sunset hour advanced, I made a number of images from a location with sufficient elevation that allowed an expansive view across the desert and the extensive rock formations.  Shooting from the shadow of a massive rock outcrop behind me, I used the natural lines and layers in the foreground rock as leading lines and to contrast the change in the rock color from shadow into the brightly lit rocks of the setting sun.

Transformation 2
Transformation 3

Maybe my choice of title for the image above is not a good one.  Perhaps, it should be “Snapping Turtle”.  I’m one of those people that seems to be prone to pareidolia.  That is I see life forms in some shapes.  In the image above I see the head of a snapping turtle in the rock at upper center.  I suppose it could be imagined as something else, maybe a birds beak?

I worked my way around this area capturing many images, most of which will not be posted.  Somewhere I read an article that described my actions like those of a photographer “dancing around a teacup”, shooting a teacup from all directions, looking for that one magic or unique view.  I have to admit that I’m often guilty of this.

Sun Basking

More pareidolia, I’m seeing the face of some sort of animal creature in the rightmost portion of this rock, enjoying the last sun rays of the day.

Desert Spotlights

In the mostly shadowy area in which I was standing, looking out across the vast desert, I noted one small area being highlighted, as if in a spotlight of the late day light.

Spindly 1

I knew when I saw the skeleton of a small desert tree that I wanted to somehow include it in one or more images.  Its location made compositions including it difficult.  It was highlighted by the late day sun, when I first spotted it, but the sun was rapidly sinking and the little tree rapidly going into shadow.  By the time I determined the best way to compose around the tree and got a couple of fairly decent shots, the tree was mostly in shadow.

Spindly 2

Anyway, I think the tree provides a subtle foreground object for these two images.

To be continued,

Ken

 

 

Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada – March 2023 – Part 27 – Final Sunset Shoot (continued)

This is a continuation of an exploration and sunset shoot in Valley of Fire, Nevada in March of 2023.

Stone Glow

The late day sun rays made this rock look like an ancient warriors golden helmet.

Mosquito Rock 1

When I saw this vertical arch and the way it was attached between the rocks above and that beneath, I immediately thought of it as a blood sucking insect.  As I move around the rock that first impression was reinforced.

Mosquito Rock 2
Mosquito Rock 3
Another Rock Creature Feature

A few minutes later I found another rock that appeared to be another blood sucking creature.

Open at Perforations

It is not unusual to find rock faces with these little holes along rock interfaces that look like they were purposely designed as perforations at which to separate the rock layers.

Awakening

I might have disturbed this rock creatures rest, as it appears to be opening one eye to see what has awakened it.

Transformation

The golden hour is now in full force as the magic sunset hour begins to color the desert rocks golden yellow.

To be continued,

Ken

Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada – March 2023 – Part 27 – Final Sunset Shoot (continued)

This is the second part of our final sunset shoot in March 2023 in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada.

Rock Art

I’m always amazed at the rock sculpture nature provides for us to enjoy.

Wary Rock

There is definitely a wary looking face in this rock that appears to be watching me as I make this image.  Maybe this rock has had bad experiences with humans in the past.

Sandfall

While the image may not be a greatly attractive scene, I found it interesting enough to take time to capture it.  There is much texture, interesting rock shapes and lines running through the rock.  The image name is for the narrow wash in the center that has an accumulation of sand at the bottom center.

Catcher’s Mitt

I moved to the right from the last composition to make this image, which shows off some of the more interesting features in the rock.  The rock at the top, with its concave erosional form reminds me of a baseball catcher’s mitt.  With the Texas Rangers clinching a berth in the 2023 World Series, maybe this is an appropriate time to post this image.

Catcher’s Mitt

A close up, color version, of the “Catcher’s Mitt”.

Natural Shelters

Erosion has created holes in these rocks that I can imagine animals or ancient people using as shelters.  Modern day man might even take temporary shelter in one of these in an emergency.

To be continued,

Ken

 

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, March 2022, Part 21 – Tree Creature

Tree Creature

As I was shooting the triple arch of the previous post, I noted an old tree on the sandy ridge below the arch.  Readers will already know that I have a fondness for  gnarly old trees.

This one reminded me of a weird looking creature crawling along the ground.  After taking the photo above, I noted some interesting features of the tree that reinforced my impression that this looked like an unusual creature.

Tree Creature Eyes

This feature looks like eyes of a mysterious creature.

Tree Creature Eyes – Black and White Version
Tree Creature Face

Eyes, nose and mouth of a tree creature.

Tree Creature Face, Black and White Version

Ken

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, March 2022, Part 20 – Arches

Continued from Part 19:

Near the double arch along the 4 wheel drive to the Strike Valley Overlook and Upper Muley Twist Canyon Trailhead is another arch.

Double Arch, One Almost Hidden

A quick glance from the roadway at this feature and one might think this is a single arch.  Getting a closer look, after hiking up a sandy bank, reveals a double arch.

Double Arch

These second and third images helps reveal the second arch, but it is still not completely clear.

Double Arch
Double Arch

This view point now clearly reveals two arches.

Triple Arch

But wait!  Moving around a bit, clearly shows a third small arch!  Not only that, but a close inspection of the large, front arch and some imagination reveals what appear to be two animals engaged in a fight.  Focus on the center portion of this arch and one can imagine the face and mouth of a dog or similar creature biting down on the adjacent rock, which resembles some other creature with legs formed by the second arch and a portion of the rock on the far right.

Triple Arch

That’s it for now,

Ken.