Moonrise, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

It was a perfect desert evening in Bryce Canyon. In this photo, the nearly full moon is peeking tantalizingly above the horizon. The increased amount of atmospheric moisture at such an angle makes the moon appear larger than normal. A kind of magnifying glass, if you will.

Bryce Canyon is not a canyon at all, but that's kind of beside the point. When you come upon a vista such as this, definitions don't matter. Or shouldn't. After all, who would stand here and think: "Well, this is nice, but if the original white settlers knew anything about geology, they would have named this 'Bryce Rim' instead of 'Bryce Canyon'. I sure wouldn't.

Anyway, this is the kind of view that should elicit more heartfelt comments. Such as, "Wow!" Or: "Where has this place been all my life?" That sort of thing. At least that's how I felt.

But back to this particular evening. Typically clear, low humidity, desert calm. I stood on the edge, camera set up and ready. Anticipating. Periodically scrutinizing the labyrinth of canyon sidewalls below, with their enticing hiking trails. Why wasn't I down there? Why? I could only imagine the incredible photographs down there, the pink-red-tan walls and Ponderosa pine trees. The incredible blue skies above.

Although I must say...a person can't be in two places at once, and this place was about as good as it gets.

Mountains and Canyons Photo Gallery Menu