RED ROCK COUNTRY

A Personal View of RED ROCK COUNTRY

WAITING FOR THE COLORS TO INTENSIFY IN THE LAST MOMENTS BEFORE SUNSET, I PONDER THE STORY OF THIS LAND WE CALL Sedona

A Portfolio by LARRY LINDAHL

THE RED ROCK I HAVE BEEN CLIMBING ONCE FORMED THE FLOOR OF AN ANCIENT OCEAN. THE BLOND SANDSTONE TOWERING ABOVE ME BEGAN AS BLOWING SAND DUNES. ATOP A DISTANT MESA, CLIFFS OF BLACK BASALT TESTIFY TO THE MOLTEN CORE OF THIS LIVING PLANET.

FAMILIES ONCED LIVED AMONG

THESE CANYONS, COLLECTING PIÑON NUTS, CACTUS FRUIT, AND OTHER WILD FOODS PROVIDED BY NATURE.

TODAY I'VE SEEN THE PETROGLYPHS OF DEER AND SNAKES AND SHAMANS LEFT BY THOSE ANCIENT PEOPLES.

I SET UP MY TRIPOD AND CAMERA SURROUNDED BY ALL THAT CAME BEFORE. NOW IT IS MY TIME. SUNSET WORKS ITS MAGIC, BATHING THE ROCKS IN MELLOW GOLD, FLAME RED, AND BURNT ORANGE.WITH A SQUEEZE OF THE SHUTTER RELEASE, I CAPTURE LIGHT FROM THIS ONE MOMENT IN ALL OF ETERNITY.

(LEFT) As seen from a crevice in the Cibola Mitten, the moon ascends to assert its supremacy over the evening's fading light. (ABOVE, RIGHT) The day's last light burns its mark on Camel Head.

THE FLOATING CLOUDS CAPTURE THE LAST RAYS OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT.

THE MOMENT IS GONE — BUT THE LAND ENDURES.