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Southwest USA Galleries

Zion National Park : The sky was overcast and it drizzled and rained off and on both days we were at Zion. The second day the sky started clearing as we were leaving but we were too tired to retrace our steps. Most of these photos were taken as we were driving in or out of the park . Some I think were actually outside the park boundaries. Hope you enjoy. Pssst… for a more enjoyable visit, don't forget to check the HELP link under the banner then click "View Photos." Or choose the "Style" menu above for other viewing options.

Zion National Park

The sky was overcast and it drizzled and rained off and on both days w ...

Updated: Jun 27, 2011 2:34pm PST

Bryce Canyon : This is more photos than I probably should put in one gallery. It's not anywhere near what I took so I am showing a little restraint. I took all these with a new Canon PowerShot SX30 IS rather than my Nikon which is a story for another day. I am pleasantly surprised at the quality and color. Some day I need to see what kind of prints can be made from these.

Bryce Canyon

This is more photos than I probably should put in one gallery. It's no ...

Updated: Jun 30, 2011 11:04pm PST

Mossy Cave : This was a little place off the road that we found by following a sign. We had no idea what we would find. Wasn't much of a "Mossy Cave" but it was a pretty little place where we could look up at the hoodoos, something we weren't able to do in the rest of Bryce. I was surprised at the great color considering the dark overcast sky. I think I might have learned something.

Mossy Cave

This was a little place off the road that we found by following a sign ...

Updated: Jul 02, 2011 3:02pm PST

Kodachrome State Park : Kodachrome State Park is small but very pretty and has some very interesting formations. It's an easy climb to the top. It was a nice drive in and out. As you can see on the last couple pics, it seemed like there was always something neat to see around the next curve or over the next hill.

Kodachrome State Park

Kodachrome State Park is small but very pretty and has some very inter ...

Updated: Jul 02, 2011 3:20pm PST

Along Rt 12 : Pretty much everywhere we traveled throughout the Southwest there were sites we wanted to remember. These photos were shot on or just off Rt-12.

Along Rt 12

Pretty much everywhere we traveled throughout the Southwest there were ...

Updated: Jul 02, 2011 1:11pm PST

Goblin Valley : This is another one of those places we read and/or heard about as somewhere not to miss.The formations are different from all the other places we saw. I tried to imagine what it would look like under a full moon. It would likely be a little spooky, especially if you have a vivid imagination.

Goblin Valley

This is another one of those places we read and/or heard about as some ...

Updated: Jul 04, 2011 1:38am PST

Devil's Garden : Devil's Garden was a place we were told and read that was a must see. It was 16 miles down a dirty, dusty washboard road. Going in we probably never got much over 15-20 mph, and mostly more in the sub 20 range. We noticed what appeared to be locals almost flying along. On the way back I decided to see if going faster would smooth out the ride. It did so… in the vicinity of 50-60 mph it was surprisingly smooth. Just had to watch out for the cattle. But what a reward! It has some of the most fascinating sandstone sculptures we saw on the trip. We recommend it. Just remember, go for it!

Devil's Garden

Devil's Garden was a place we were told and read that was a must see. ...

Updated: Jul 02, 2011 1:29pm PST

Arches National Park 1 : My own photos usually don't impress me. Some of these do. The sky enhanced the photos and in many cases perfectly framed the subject. They were taken with a Canon PowerShot SX30 IS purchased a couple days earlier to replace my D40 (long story) — it performed better than I expected.

Arches National Park 1

My own photos usually don't impress me. Some of these do. The sky enha ...

Updated: Jul 07, 2011 3:40pm PST

New Mexico - Rt 40 and Sandia Mtn : There are places along I-40 in New Mexico where you can just pull of the road. We took advantage on one occasion and took some pics. They are the first four here. The rest are at Sandia Mountain near Albuquerque where we encountered our first bout with "altitude." We were two days from sea level and hiked around at over 10,000 ft. It was interesting to discover what happens to one's body when there's not enough oxygen in the air. We simply stopped and admired the scenery more often and longer than normal.

New Mexico - Rt 40 and Sandia Mtn

There are places along I-40 in New Mexico where you can just pull of t ...

Updated: Jun 12, 2011 12:02am PST

Arches National Park 2 : We got up very early in the morning (well, vacation early) the second day we went to Arches. Sky was clear blue and light was pretty good. When I first looked at the photos, I was a little disappointed and didn't think I had much to share. I guess I was wrong or I've lowered my standards. I hope you enjoy.

Arches National Park 2

We got up very early in the morning (well, vacation early) the second ...

Updated: Jul 08, 2011 10:45am PST

Painted Desert AZ : I was a bit disappointed with the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest. I think my expectations were too high. Still, I would recommend taking a few hours to look around if you are in the area.

Painted Desert AZ

I was a bit disappointed with the Painted Desert and the Petrified For ...

Updated: Jun 13, 2011 7:42pm PST

Canyonlands : Since we got back from vacation, we watched a program on television about Canyonlands. It would be great to be able to get down into the canyons and onto the river and see it from that perspective. Unfortunately I didn't have the time, physical strength or unwavering resolve necessary for such activities. So you will just see ordinary, pedestrian, tourist photo material here. Nevertheless, I present this gallery in the hope you enjoy some of them.

Canyonlands

Since we got back from vacation, we watched a program on television ab ...

Updated: Jul 23, 2011 11:06pm PST

Moab to Co. Springs : Parts of the trip from Moab, Utah to Colorado Springs, Co. meanders along the Colorado River. As was the case for most of this vacation, everywhere we looked there was scenery like we'd never before experienced. Usually the vacation begins and ends at the destination. On this trip, for the most part, getting there really was half the fun.

Moab to Co. Springs

Parts of the trip from Moab, Utah to Colorado Springs, Co. meanders al ...

Updated: Jul 15, 2011 10:10am PST

GrandCanyon-2011 : We had less than two full days at the Canyon and conditions were mostly less than ideal for photographs. Nevertheless it was a great experience and we don't regret being there in May. I've discovered that rock photos taken the same day, under similar conditions, begin to look pretty much the same. I have limited our vacation collections to a "chosen few" in an attempt to not bore our visitors to death. Hope you enjoy the pics and, if you have not yet visited this beautiful part of our country, do so if you can. No photos do it justice.

GrandCanyon-2011

We had less than two full days at the Canyon and conditions were mostl ...

Updated: Jun 11, 2011 6:25pm PST

Grand Canyon North Rim : The North Rim… I've read that less than 10% of Grand Canyon visitors go to the North Rim. Well, all I can say is, good for those of us who went. It was a little cold, snowing off and on, overcast and hazy — and quiet and beautiful. First time through my photos I didn't think there was anything worth sharing. Now that I've waited a while and looked again, I think that although they're not great technically, some of my visitors might enjoy them.

Grand Canyon North Rim

The North Rim… I've read that less than 10% of Grand Canyon visitors g ...

Updated: Jun 28, 2011 3:59pm PST

Pike's Peak : I've looked forward to experiencing Pike's Peak since I was very young. I finally got to see it and was extremely disappointed. We rode up on a crowded, uncomfortable rail car. The views along the track are mostly blocked and you get just 30 minutes at the top to try to acclimate, get a drink, use facilities and take a couple photos. I finally experienced altitude sickness but not as bad as some who actually passed out on the rail car. You're encouraged to drink lots of water to counteract altitude sickness then have to ride for about an hour and a half each way sans facilities. When we got back to the station everyone made a mad dash for the woefully inadequate restrooms. It's ridiculous — and we were there before the busy season. We found Colorado Springs in general to be the least appealing experience of our entire trip. It was not a fun place to finish our vacation. I would not go back nor recommend it to anyone else. That's just one man's opinion… but consider yourself warned.

Pike's Peak

I've looked forward to experiencing Pike's Peak since I was very young ...

Updated: Jul 17, 2011 9:05pm PST

Rt 89 Cameron AZ to Vermilion Cliffs : PLEASE NOTE: For the best view of these photos, click on "Style" (first drop down menu) and choose "Journal." We were traveling from Cameron to Vermillion Cliffs, AZ and we didn't take time to stop as often as we could have. Many of these photos were taken by my wife Vickie from the moving car. She used the trusty D40/18-55mm combo and snapped away. We did stop a few times and I took some as well. Most have been cropped and manipulated a bit in Photoshop Elements. Look what we'd have missed if we waited for the perfect situation before taking a photo. I'm sure glad we have these.

Rt 89 Cameron AZ to Vermilion Cliffs

PLEASE NOTE: For the best view of these photos, click on "Style" (firs ...

Updated: Dec 15, 2011 3:31pm PST

Panoramas : These panoramas aren't anything special. I think I've finally figured out (after I got back home) what I did wrong and how to do better. Best advice I read is to shoot in manual mode after metering the middle of the scene in portrait rather than landscape mode which will yield bigger better prints. I will be experimenting around home so I can be prepared the next time I get an opportunity like this. Meanwhile, these will give you a glimpse into the vastness of the southwest USA. *** For the best view, use the Style button above and choose Journal. Slideshow is a bit inconsistent with the sizes. ***

Panoramas

These panoramas aren't anything special. I think I've finally figured ...

Updated: Jul 17, 2011 10:35pm PST

Vermilion to Jacob : These photos were taken at the Vermilion Bridge and on the way to Jacob Lake along 89A. We were constantly amazed by the beauty to be seen while traveling. I think there were places where we saw more astonishing things traveling from place to place than at the popular tourist destinations.

Vermilion to Jacob

These photos were taken at the Vermilion Bridge and on the way to Jaco ...

Updated: Jun 17, 2011 6:03pm PST

© j. r. wills | evendozen photo gallery | 2011
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