Zion National Park in southern Utah is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The scenery is magnificent, no doubt enhanced by the autumn colours that we were able to experience for a second time this fall. I have so many photos, I’m not sure how to best share them in this blog so I’ll start with two of my favourites.
The first was taken on the floor of Zion Canyon at a bend in the Virgin River called “Big Bend”. This location presents some serious photographic challenges, notably the stark contrast of shadows and highlights created by the high, sheer walls of the canyon. But where there are challenges, there is also opportunity. The pictures I took here are among the best I got at Zion and I like this one best.
This photo combines a number of great photographic elements, the rock face, the stream and that old dead tree to the right. Of course the colours are splendid but what is most appealing to me are the highlights among the shadows. The sunlight streaming through gaps in the wall randomly illuminates parts of the canyon floor, creating a very eye-catching scene.
The second of the favourites I’ve chosen is a very small waterfall located in an area called “Emerald Pools”. In this case the waterfall drops into the lower emerald pool. There isn’t much flow at this time of the year so it’s difficult to see this wispy stream from most angles, due again to the strong contrasts. Rolande spotted this perspective and it was obvious that this was the one! I took the picture toward the direction of the sun, which can be difficult but in this case the sunlight really lit up the water droplets.
The photo was taken from a pathway under the overhanging cliff. The sun is just to the left of the tree in the picture and shining directly on the face of the waterfall. Being able to get behind the falling water created the opportunity to best see it and photograph it.
I’ll work up a second post to share some more pictures from Zion NP. Stay tuned. For those who might be interested, following is a short narrative about Zion National Park.
Zion National Park is one of the gems of the National Park system and one of Utah’s most beloved tourist destinations. The park is located in the far southwestern corner of Utah, where the Colorado Plateau meets the mountains and valleys of the Great Basin. The closest town is Springdale. The sculptured cliffs of Zion Canyon provide visitors with landscapes of unmatched beauty and diversity. Designated in 1919, Zion is Utah’s oldest national park. The park is known for its incredible canyons, including The Narrows, which attract canyoneers from around the world. Hiking possibilities are endless. With nearly three million visitors per year, Zion is Utah’s most heavily used park. Most park facilities are located in the Zion Canyon area, and it attracts the most visitors. The Virgin River has gnawed through native sandstone to create the incredible scenery found in Zion Canyon. The river itself now serves as a natural corridor for exploring the park. There are several easy, self-guiding trails along the river, along with more challenging hikes where the river and its tributaries cut through narrow canyons.