Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, AZ. 2022

Originally called Tse Bii Ndzisgaii by the Navajo (Valley of the Rocks), Monument Valley is part of the Navajo Nation near the Arizona-Utah border. It is a special place of amazing views, majestic buttes and spires, magical surprises, and wonderful people. Although I had visited Monument Valley a couple of times before, I decided that this summer I would make it the primary focus of my photographic adventures. A wise decision! We made three separate trips of several days each. This allowed me to experience the wonders of Monument Valley under a variety of photographic conditions. We also had the pleasure of working with Carl Phillips on some of our outings (Phillips Photography Tours https://monumentvalley.com/tours/). This allowed us to visit areas of the park not accessible to the general public, and to be in the valley after dark. If you’re planning a photo trip to Monument Valley, I’d strongly encourage you to seek out Carl as a guide.

Slowly Fading
The last rays of the day's sun cast a warm glow on the Mittens and Merrick Butte. Monument Valley, AZ.
Midnight Moonlight
A rising moon--actually at about 11 o'clock--highlights the landscape and warms the night sky.

Praise the Morning
Monument Valley, AZ.
Quiet Anticipation

Stately Trio
Infrared. Monument Valley, AZ.
Natural Window
Keyhole Arch, Monument Valley, AZ.

Kissed by Wind and Rain
From John Ford's Point, Monument Valley, AZ.
The Totem Pole
Monument Valley, AZ.
Desert Flotsam
Near the Totem Pole, Monument Valley, AZ.

Starlight, Star Bright
Blue hours stars over the Totem Pole, Monument Valley, AZ. Can you find the Big and Little Dipper?
Midas Touch
Near John Ford's Point, Monument Valley, AZ.
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
The early summer Milky Way arches over Monument Valley, AZ.

Near and Far
Big Chief and Castle Buttes dot the horizon behind the West Mitten.
Mittens Diptych I
The West Mitten, Monument Valley, AZ.
Mittens Diptych II
East Mitten, Monument Valley, AZ.
Great Expectations
Waiting for the sun to rise amid Monument Valley's West Mitten, East Mitten, and Merrick Butte.

Worth the Wait
Monument Valley, AZ.
Golden Glow
Monument Valley, AZ.

Drink the Light
Monument Valley, AZ.
Dancing with the Stars
The formation known as Yei Bi Chei (including the commonly named Totem Pole) represents Navajo spiritual gods and is viewed as dancers emerging from a Hogan.
Is this Magic?
The Milky Way arches over Yei Bi Chei and the Totem Pole on a warm June night. Monument Valley, AZ.

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