A couple of weeks before the summer solstice, Utah begins to unleash its inhospitable brutality. The only feasible human adaptation is to become crepuscular along with the coyotes, the rabbits, and songbirds, as I was to become for the next couple of months.
I arrived in the Bentonite Hills at dusk, after having forded the Freemont River and winding my way upwards for around nine miles until arriving in these hills of myriad color. Using the iPhone 4S I made photos of the evening.
Looking towards Capitol Reef
Juniper Pines
It is an unusual feeling to almost dread the rising sun, knowing that within the hour pangs of thirst will follow, like a starfish longing to be cast into the sea. Instead I celebrated, as I do with occasional sunrises, by playing the Beatles tune, Here Comes the Sun.
With very little time to work before the shadows disappeared I pulled out the Nikon and roamed the hills of bentonite looking for some way to convey the incredible beauty surrounding me.
The bentonite hills are colorful and the surface is quite dry and crusty, until the monsoon rains fall, when they become impassable, slippery clay. Volcanic stones of unknown origin are spaced throughout the landscape.
How to live a crepuscular life and photograph both ends of the day? You must be willing to sacrifice. This was how I slept that night, which to me is no sacrifice at all.
nomadruss in words and photos 
An awesome adventure. I’m guessing you’re younger than me, haha. I always enjoy seeing the stratification in the rocks – it says ‘time’ to me. Thanks for sharing.
I’m still live as though I were in my 20’s most of the time, but I do have a few geological layers myself.
Absolutely stunning shots, and great commitment to your craft. I love the colours you’ve captured here. Looks like it was worth the sacrifice, thanks for sharing.
Getting to share them is part of the joy, I’m glad you liked the series!
Wow! Fabulous photos. Absolutely stunning! Thank you for bringing them to us. A true adventurer indeed.
Thanks for the kind comments!
Love the way you wander, capturing these images that are so hard to describe in words. Thank you for being there and sharing with us.
Perhaps a picture really is worth 1000 words, haha. Thanks again Pam!
Great post of wonderful shots of a great area of the West.
Thanks Bob!
Sehr gelungen! 🙂
Warum, danke!
The photography is just… WOW. Really EPIC!
many thanks!
Im In Love!!!
Glad you like it!
I love how your pictures speak to me, then to read your perspective on it, is amazing.
Thanks, I appreciate that!
uau, absolutely perfect pictures! I like them.
Thanks, I appreciate that!
Wow! I am drooling after looking at that set of photos! What amazing textures!
Thanks Marcus, that is one of the best kept secrets of Utah right there!