American Southwest

[LarryD]

Nothing says "American Southwest" more than high sandstone cliffs, mesas and incredible vistas..

One of my favorites is the road leading into Arches National Park in Southern Utah..


American Southwest by LarryD Imagery, on Flickr

Entering the park is Park Avenue East. Here you can see the early morning shadows as the sun climbs on the right..


Park Avenue East by LarryD Imagery, on Flickr

Park Avenue West shows the rock face across the narrow valley in full sun..


Park Avenue West by LarryD Imagery, on Flickr

[Waterwings]

Great captures, Larry! Years ago, my wife and I drove across areas like that, and the immenseness of it tends to make one feel very small, and isolated. I prayed we did not break-down anywhere out there

[Skippy]

Lovely Larry. You captured the wide open spaces well in the first one. The next two show some really interesting textures.

[Sage]

Gorgeous Larry. Makes me yearn to visit the west again. ~~Peg

[mishlove]

Awesome series.....was out that way in 79...maybe one day again.

[LarryD]

Another Southwest photographers playground is Sedona, Arizona. Sedona is a little higher in elevation and brings more greenery into the scenes than lower desert views.

The rocks vary from vivid red to the bright oranges that characterize Southwest colors.

The Cathedral. a non-traditional view from the western side.

The Cathedral by LarryD Imagery, on Flickr

The Nuns (far right) in late afternoon direct sunlight peeking from under storm clouds that threaten rain overhead..

Nuns by LarryD Imagery, on Flickr

[yellalablady]

These are beautiful.

[The Barbarian]

Your use of the sun and color intensity make them look otherworldly. I really like these.

[chicagojohn]

These are all wonderful, LarryD, and they bring back wonderful memories for me since on our honeymoon trip to the Flagstaff/Grand Canyon region, my wife and I took a day bus trip tour to this place, which in my memory is actually a Navaho reservation.

I wasn't taking pictures then, and thanks to you I now have some great ones.

[LarryD]

Grand Canyon is one of my favorite places...

I need to get back there this winter.. It's almost too late for the North Rim, I'll have to satisfy my urge on the South Rim..

[chicagojohn]

Thanks LarryD. I just showed my wife and she also recalled our honeymoon. (I could get lucky tonight thanks to you, my friend).

But, seriously, my favorite, I think, though it is so difficult to pick one, is the "nuns" image. That one, in particular, has extraordinary color, contrast, and dynamic range. And in terms of composition the individual spires sort of coming to the big rock with, one can imagine, hands praying.

This is a great image.