New Mexico

Stargazing at Tsegi Overlook

Tsegi Overlook is a perfect spot for stargazing, especially during the night when the Milky Way appears in all its glory. As you gaze up at the Milky Way, it's hard not to feel a sense of awe and wonder at the sheer magnitude and beauty of the universe we live in. It's truly a remarkable experience and a reminder of how small we are in the grand scheme of things.

Nature's Sculptures

A MW from the mystic Bisti Badlands. I had the opportunity to spend a fair bit of time last year among these amazing structures. The distant coyotes kept me company during the night.

The Sleeping Dragon

A celestial canvas painted by starlight, made this desert landscape of sculpted rock formations look like a dragon resting. The Bisti Badlands is a remarkable geological wonderland located in northwestern New Mexico, known for its otherworldly rock formations that seem to have been sculpted by some ancient and mysterious force. These sculpted rocks, which have been eroded over millions of years, take on a variety of shapes and colors, from towering hoodoos and spires to delicate arches and fins. At night, under the glittering Milky Way, the Bisti Badlands takes on an even more surreal quality, with the starry sky providing a stunning backdrop to the already awe-inspiring rock formations.

Towers of Wonder

The hoodoos at Lybrook Badlands are truly a sight to behold, with their fascinating shapes and the warm colors of the surrounding rock formations creating a mesmerizing landscape. The hoodoos, which are tall, thin rock formations, were created through a process of erosion over many years. The unique shapes of the hoodoos are due to the soft rock that forms the core of the structure and the harder rock that forms the cap. Over time, elements such as wind and rain erode the softer rock, leaving behind the tall, column-like formations.

Nature's sculptures bathed in Starlight

In the still of the night, the Lybrook Badlands came alive as the ancient hoodoos stood tall and proud under the twinkling blanket of the Milky Way. The ethereal light of the galaxy cast eerie shadows across the weathered rock formations, giving them a mysterious, otherworldly quality. The hoodoos, shaped over centuries by wind and water erosion, seemed to reach for the stars as if trying to touch the infinite beauty of the night sky. In this moment, the Lybrook Badlands were a true marvel of nature, showcasing the power of the elements and the majesty of the universe.

A celestial symphony

The Lybrook Badland Hoodoos are a breathtaking natural wonder, a unique landscape of stone spires sculpted by the forces of nature. During the night hours, when the world is still bathed in darkness, this place takes on an even more magical character as the Milky Way rises above the hoodoos. The starry sky acts as a celestial canvas, painting the landscape with the delicate glow of the galaxy's many stars. The sight of the Milky Way illuminating the hoodoos is truly unforgettable and transforms this already remarkable place into an otherworldly spectacle. Whether you're an astronomer, a photographer, or simply a lover of nature's beauty, the Lybrook Badland Hoodoos Milky Way scene is not to be missed.

Pillars of Light and Rock

For hoodoo hunters, the Valley of Dreams area of the Ah-shi-sle-pah Badlands in northwestern New Mexico holds some of the most unique formations to enjoy. The Alien Throne is one of the landmarks hoodoos in this area, and I had a wonderful time photographing the amazing structures in the area.

The Sphinx

The Bisti Badlands in north western New Mexico are sculpted heaven with a little splash of hell. Time and natural elements have etched a fantasy world of strange rock formations made of interbedded sandstone, shale, mudstone, coal, and silt.

Fragmented Beauty

The cracked eggs in Bisti Badlands are a fascinating geological phenomenon that attracts numerous visitors each year. These are spherical rocks that resemble giant eggs, and they are scattered throughout the vast expanse of the badlands. The surface of these rocks is heavily eroded, giving them a cracked appearance that adds to their unique charm. The eggs range in size from a few inches to several feet in diameter, and they are made of sandstone that has been sculpted over millions of years by the forces of wind and water. Scientists believe that these rocks were formed during the late Cretaceous period, around 70 million years ago, when the area was covered by a shallow sea. Over time, the sand and sediments deposited in the sea solidified to form the rocks we see today. Whether you are a geology enthusiast or just someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, the cracked eggs in Bisti Badlands are a sight to behold.

The Conversing Hoodoos

We had an extended stay in the Aztec, NM area this summer and this provided great opportunities to visit the Badlands multiple times. Several evenings and nights were spent exploring the infinite number of hoodoos and the night skies. These hoodoos adorned with a late season Milky Way are called the Conversing Hoodoos for obvious reasons.

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Sunset at Cox Canyon Arch

Another perspective of Cox Canyon Arch during one of the evenings spent there. I loved the Juniper trees that adorn the area.

Sunset at Little Delicate Arch

The is a small but beautiful arch with graceful curves that the locals affectionately call the "Little Delicate Arch". During our stay in Aztec, I have add the opportunity to visit this arch a few times and was fortunate enough to capture this beautiful sunset. The arch is visible from the roadside but a bit of scrambling and trail searching is required to get up close and personal.

Evening at Cox Canyon Arch

Cox Canyon Arch is a beautiful arch with a span of 42ft and a height of 35ft. This is a 12 image panorama taken as the beautiful evening light was fading fast. Getting to the arch requires a 4.3 mile drive on oil field dirt roads preferably in a high clearance vehicle. The hike to the arch is fairly short but requires a short scramble which can be tricky especially if lugging along a camera bag and tripod.

The Stone Camel

The Mushroom Dream

Another night spent by the Mushroom in the Bisti Badlands. I was worried that light pollution in the north from Farmington would be an issue. However, things worked out fairly well.

The Giant Mushroom Milky Way

Fantasy Night at the Alien Throne

For hoodoo hunters, the Valley of Dreams area of the Ah shi sle pah Badlands in northwestern New Mexico holds some of the most unique formations to enjoy. The Alien Throne is one of the landmarks hoodoos in this area, and I had the privilege to enjoy this remote spot under the starry skies with the company of coyotes howling occasionally in the distance.

The Cerebellum at Night

The Valley of Dream area in the Bisti Badlands has some amazing formations that take a life of their own in the darkness of night. I like to call one of my favorite formations the cerebellum for obvious reasons. Low level lights were used to light up the scene.