2. Landscapes

Bryce Canyon, Utah March 2013

Bryce Canyon at 7000 feet elevation can be very cold in March as it was for me. Nineteen and 21 degrees awaited me both mornings I was there with temps going up to about 45 by midday. To properly see the Park you need to get off the rim and onto the trails below. The varied colors are usually amazing in any kind of sunlight, but on a bright, sunny daybreak the colors are like no other part of the day. For viewing variety these photos are not in sequence, but the bright orange-red colors and pink-white "glow" colors were shot in the early morning in bright, low angle sun.
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  • Distant formations at Bryce Canyon, Utah

    Distant formations at Bryce Canyon, Utah

  • Low angle sunlight bounces right through any of the formations which contain high levels of translucent quartz, creating an awe-inspiring scene of varying glows in the early morning. Perhaps why one popular area is called Inspiration Point.

    Low angle sunlight bounces right through any of the formations which contain high levels of translucent quartz, creating an awe-inspiring scene of varying glows in the early morning. Perhaps why one popular area is called Inspiration Point.

  • Lone Pines seem to pick unusual places to grow in Bryce Canyon.

    Lone Pines seem to pick unusual places to grow in Bryce Canyon.

  • Morning sun, late March 2013 at Bryce Canyon. I loved taking photos of the white backlit formations that actually glow from the inside due to translucent quartz content.

    Morning sun, late March 2013 at Bryce Canyon. I loved taking photos of the white backlit formations that actually glow from the inside due to translucent quartz content.

  • The cozy but "group friendly" Navaho Trail passes by Thor's Hammer (where the hikers are) and other colorful formations.

    The cozy but "group friendly" Navaho Trail passes by Thor's Hammer (where the hikers are) and other colorful formations.

  • The columns of rocks resembling totem poles are called hoodoos, products of erosion over eons.

    The columns of rocks resembling totem poles are called hoodoos, products of erosion over eons.

  • South end of the Amphitheater.

    South end of the Amphitheater.

  • Well groomed trails make venturing into the canyon as safe as possible.

    Well groomed trails make venturing into the canyon as safe as possible.

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  • Mountain Bluebird on the Bryce Canyon rim at a picnic area.

    Mountain Bluebird on the Bryce Canyon rim at a picnic area.

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  • Distance to this White-breasted Nuthatch was about 12 feet. I saw several small groups of them at various areas along the rim.

    Distance to this White-breasted Nuthatch was about 12 feet. I saw several small groups of them at various areas along the rim.

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  • In this super wide angle distorted shot a visitor explores the rocks at the base of a formation along Queen's Garden Trail.

    In this super wide angle distorted shot a visitor explores the rocks at the base of a formation along Queen's Garden Trail.

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  • Natural Bridge under clouds in the afternoon.

    Natural Bridge under clouds in the afternoon.

  • Natural Bridge in the early morning. Bryce Canyon National Park.

    Natural Bridge in the early morning. Bryce Canyon National Park.

  • The Amphitheater, Bryce Canyon

    The Amphitheater, Bryce Canyon

  • Steep trail down into Wall Street.

    Steep trail down into Wall Street.

  • Morning sun on the final day was spectacular. There were very few people in the Park in the previous afternoon, but it was crawling with people before dawn on this morning. They knew the sun was going to put on a show.

    Morning sun on the final day was spectacular. There were very few people in the Park in the previous afternoon, but it was crawling with people before dawn on this morning. They knew the sun was going to put on a show.

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  • Bryce Canyon, Utah, March 2013

    Bryce Canyon, Utah, March 2013

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  • Tree fighting a losing battle with erosion. It is about 25 feet high.

    Tree fighting a losing battle with erosion. It is about 25 feet high.

  • Looking up into the Wall Street formation. A 10MM wide angle lens catches a lot of detail but distorts all verticals when viewing up.

    Looking up into the Wall Street formation. A 10MM wide angle lens catches a lot of detail but distorts all verticals when viewing up.

  • Late day sun on the hoodoos-first day there.

    Late day sun on the hoodoos-first day there.

  • Morning.

    Morning.

  • Early morning sun.

    Early morning sun.

  • Full morning sunlight.

    Full morning sunlight.

  • Afternoon at the Amphitheater.

    Afternoon at the Amphitheater.

  • In terms of erosion progression Bryce Canyon is pretty far along.

    In terms of erosion progression Bryce Canyon is pretty far along.

  • Different layers offer different shades and colors.

    Different layers offer different shades and colors.

  • The early morning light that lights up the rocks in soft glow does not last very long. The sun has to hit the rocks at very low angles to get this lighting effect.

    The early morning light that lights up the rocks in soft glow does not last very long. The sun has to hit the rocks at very low angles to get this lighting effect.

  • The trails are significantly down hill from the rim parking lots and dip about 500 to 600 feet below the rim. This climb back up is something to keep in mind when hiking .

    The trails are significantly down hill from the rim parking lots and dip about 500 to 600 feet below the rim. This climb back up is something to keep in mind when hiking .

  • Another view of Wall Street Canyon.

    Another view of Wall Street Canyon.

  • Sunrise at Bryce Canyon.

    Sunrise at Bryce Canyon.

  • This and the next three pictures are of Navaho Trail.

    This and the next three pictures are of Navaho Trail.

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  • Trail topography ranges from wide open spaces to tight walls on all sides.

    Trail topography ranges from wide open spaces to tight walls on all sides.

  • Lower end of Wall Street path.

    Lower end of Wall Street path.

  • WOW! I got a big surprise when I touched this colorful, lunchbox-sized rock laying by the trail. It looked dry and marble solid, but when I touched the edge to admire its texture it crumbled like sand, and was so wet it almost oozed water! It took very little pressure to mash the lower left corner where the light brown spot is.

    WOW! I got a big surprise when I touched this colorful, lunchbox-sized rock laying by the trail. It looked dry and marble solid, but when I touched the edge to admire its texture it crumbled like sand, and was so wet it almost oozed water! It took very little pressure to mash the lower left corner where the light brown spot is.

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    Natural Bridge under clouds in the afternoon.
    Natural Bridge in the early morning. Bryce Canyon National Park.
    The Amphitheater, Bryce Canyon