Bryce Canyon

  by Mauverneen

Looking at these canyons, and the mountains, I often wonder what the explorers and the settlers thought when they first saw this. I'm sure many people have that same thought. You're driving down the road and suddenly the earth opens up before you, revealing miles and miles of canyons and multi-colored rock formations. It is mind boggling. Especially for someone coming from the flat land called Illinois. 

I've been to the Southwest before, but I never cease to be impressed, or amazed. Each time, the experience is different. And I always look forward to going back. It's never soon enough. A part of my heart is there.

A little about Bryce and this trail ...(from the National Park Service website)

By definition Bryce Canyon is not a real "canyon". Canyons are carved by flowing water. Most of the "canyons" of Bryce are carved by ice forming in cracks - a process known as frost wedging.

This canyon known originally as Water Canyon, might look like any ordinary Bryce Canyon kind of canyon. It's not. From 1890-1892 mormon pioneers labored with picks and shovels to carve an irrigation ditch from the East Fork of the Sevier River, through the Paunsaugunt Plateau, into this canyon. Every year since its completion in 1892 (except during the drought of 2002), this canal known as the Tropic Ditch has supplied the communities of Tropic and Cannonville with irrigation water. Even though the Tropic Ditch has been flowing for a century it has changed the geology.  The higher elevations of this "canyon" have the lumpy, broken, and random texture typical of Bryce Canyon and its hoodoos. The lower section is without hoodoos, and has smooth angled sides looking like a 'V' in cross-section. Because of this little water course, it is unlikely that hoodoos will form here. The existing ones will eventually crumble and Water Canyon will have completed its metamorphosis into a "real canyon." The presence of water makes this canyon unique. A wide diversity of animals come here regularly to quench their thirst, particularly at night as animals tend to avoid busy trails - especially in daylight hours. 

Water in the desert...

On the Mossy Cave Trail - a short, easy walk with great views!

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

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Views from 30,000 feet

  by Mauverneen

First off, let me say, I don't like to fly. Makes me a little nervous, especially when there is any turbulence. Any turbulence at all. (shudder)

That said, let me tell you about my most recent flying experience. I enjoyed it. Not only was it very smooth, but the views out the window were incredible. As anyone who knows me will tell you, I always have my camera. So it's no surprise that I like to take pictures out the window of the plane. But for the most part, they haven't been very good. You're traveling at a high rate of speed, even though it doesn't feel like it, so unless you can finagle those camera settings like a pro, you might not get the clearest shots. Plus, the zoom... 

So, what was the difference this time? Well, I actually had the window seat, which helped, and I used my cell phone! Incredible. The pics I got with my phone are surprisingly good - much better than with my camera. Now, I don't know about enlarging them, that remains to be seen. But I think I have some great images - if I do say so myself. 

Coming over the mountains, still snow covered in May, was a beautiful sight. And bunches of fluffy white clouds, like little sheep, were spread out over them. At times, it was hard to tell the clouds from the mountain peaks! 

The clouds this trip were different too. They were moving so fast! Usually, we just sail through them, but this time, they were apparently not going in the same direction. I could see them coming towards us. It was amazing. 

And then, touching down in Salt Lake City, it was near sunset. Oh how beautiful that was! Coming back to Chicago, I was a little nervous as the plane flew out over the lake quite a distance before turning to aim for the airport. I thought he was lost. The city is stunning from the air! 

Ok, I'll stop talking. I'll just show you... 

 

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html