Saturday, September 19, 2009

The Artistry of the Slot Canyon


I like the glimmer of sunlight coming down through the top of the slot canyon highlighting the desert varnish near the top of the canyon wall.

Desert varnish results from a dark coating found on exposed rock in dry areas.

The dark coating is composed of clay, particles of iron and manganese oxides along with trace amounts of organic matter. It is usually brown to black in color.

The clay reacts chemically when the rock reaches high temperatures in the desert.

Sometimes petroglyphs are carved from scraping away the dark desert varnish layer to expose the lighter color of the rock below.

This photo has an interesting contrast with the yellowish ray of light on the pattern of the desert varnish and the texture and color of the sandstone wall below.

8 comments:

Sharon said...

It makes me think of a pile of satin ribbons!

Gaelyn said...

I found the light in the slots magical and the mineral stains part of natures painting on the sculpture of sandstone.

brattcat said...

I feel as if I'm being enveloped in a Georgia O'Keefe painting when I look at these. This was an amazing photographic expedition, Julie.

glenda said...

The light and color are just beautiful.

~Cheryl said...

Incredible photo! Now I'm wondering how you and everybody with you were able to squeeze into these tiny slots! :) Waaaay gorgeous!

Don and Krise said...

I'll bet as soon as you left, you wanted to go back. Such beauty. These have been so great Julie.

Bergson said...

I'm very happy to discover your canyon

beautiful colors

Meri said...

This whole sequence is so gorgeous. Thanks for giving us this gift.

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