This is a popular arch in the Aztec area with a span of 42ft and a height of 35ft. An approximately 4.3 mile on the area oil field dirt roads is required to reach the arch. The hike to the arch is relatively short but there is a section that requires a short scramble. After hoisting myself up, I used a rope to lift up my camera gear and tripod up this section. It is important to get your bearing and mark this location on your GPS especially if returning in the dark as this is apparently the only safe way to get back from the arch.
This one was a relatively small arch but quite picturesque, especially once lit up with low level lights. The opening is only around 3.5x2ft wide.
This is another small but really beautiful arch in the Aztec Area. Also known as the Little Delicate Arch, it is visible from the parking area. When you first view Rooftop Arch it appears that getting up close and level to it is impossible. However, access is relatively easy if you are willing to explore around and do some trail searching.
There are many places in this world that are failed by any form of description. Amazing rock formations, patterns and colors make this area a top bucket list location for landscape photographers.
I have made it White Pocket a few times now and each time, the other worldly rock formations take your breath away. There are many places in this world that are failed by any form of description and, no doubt this is one of them. Futhermore, the surreal scenery takes on another dimension under the Milky Way. This is a composite with the foreground captured during the blue hour.
The Aztec, NM area has hundreds of miles of oil field dirt roads used to service the oil & gas installations in the area. This makes it feasible to explore the multitude of arches in the area. The roads are best travelled on a 4X4 and should be avoided during the rains. It is very easy to get stuck in the seemingly innocuous puddles that form during the monsoon season. I say this based on personal experience. This is a small roadside arch that looked pretty mundane during daylight hours but came out pretty good as a milky way foreground.
Surreal scenery, coyotes songs in the night and a beautiful Milky Way in the Arizona high desert made it a special night. Getting here is a challenge but definitely worth the effort.
You might call these God's own sand castles. Naturally occurring near springs on the floor of an inland salt water sea three times the strength of the ocean, these extraordinarily intricate sand and mineral formations are truly awe-inspiring to behold.
Another incredible experience to photograph the Milky Way at White Pocket. The drive to White Pocket itself is a great adventure and requires a high clearance 4X4 vehicle and experienced driver. As a rookie Jeep owner, I did not bother to air down the tires and sure enough got stuck in the soft sand. Lucky for me, a group came by and helped me out of the situation. Needless to say, my driving chops had vastly improved by the time I completed the trip.
Another amazing ancient Bristlecone Pine tree in the Eastern Sierra Mountains. The exquisite and gnarled structure of the tree weathered over a few thousand years makes you wonder what amazing events it has experienced during its lifetime.
A night spent at one of the beautiful arches in the Aztec, New Mexico area. It is however unfortunate that graffiti is starting to appear on the arch. Also, there was a lot of trash in the area that my better half spent time cleaning up.
Tatahatso Point overlooks Point Hansbrough and the Colorado River in north-central Arizona. This huge meander is bigger than the ultra popular Horseshoe Bend a few miles north. That said, it isn’t nearly as easy to get to. Getting to shoot the Milky Way over Tatahatso Point was an incredible experience.
These ancient Bristlecone Pines are in a remote area of the White Mountains in the Eastern Sierras. I have to admit that I struggled with the sudden change in elevation encountered after driving up from the floor of the valley, and found myself panting for breath after every few steps. The strong winds that evening also made it feel more daunting but in the end it was worth the effort to spend time with these ancient trees.
