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Blue Hour Bliss

It has taken me too long to realize that the rich colors of predawn occasionally trump the brightness of first sunlight, despite what my eye may tell me. This view of Valley of the Gods was taken 30 minutes before sunrise, yet the rocks and clouds were already picking up the rich light of the sun filtered by a long path through Earth’s atmosphere. Two of the buttes are named on maps: second from the left is “Rudolph and Santa” and on the far right is Castle Butte. Lime Canyon is the furthest drainage in this view. My guess is that there are different names for these features used by indigenous cultures that have inhabited this area for millennia (Puebloan, Ute, and Navajo).

 

While this area remained in Bears Ears National Monument during 45’s term in office, it is appropriate at this time to express gratitude to President Joe Biden and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland for the restoration of the earlier boundaries of this national treasure. Hopefully some Utah lawmakers will get on board and help promote this effort.

 

3 shot panorama

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Uploaded on October 28, 2021
Taken on October 28, 2021