Monument Valley
We returned to Monument Valley to shoot the morning shots along Valley Drive. Today was the first day of the winter hours, so we couldn't drive into the valley until 8:00; an hour after sunrise. The first stop was the Three Sisters. Since this is a Navajo park, I always assumed this formation referred to three Navajo sisters. But the brochure provided at the entry station said it is supposed to be a nun and two students. That seems a little unusual.
Artist's Point is my favorite morning stop. It looks across East and West Mitten, as well as the formations in the distance. But the foreground with its varying shades of vegetation and the side lighting make the shot. While we were there, a professional photographer and his friends were playing with all their cool toys and experimenting with specialty lenses and equipment. They had some amazing stuff. They genuinely seemed to be having a great time together.
North Window Overlook has changed significantly since we were here last. It used to be just a side road to an overlook that few people visited unless they were on a tour. Now at least two families have built stands to sell their jewelry. Like several other areas of the valley, it's become "junky touristy." I respect that it's how the families earn their income, but it has degraded some of the beauty. Behind the jewelry stand, a trail contours around the side of the cliff to provide an unobstructed view north. The view was very similar to Artist's Point but added a new perspective. It was our "new find" for Monument Valley.
We returned to camp for lunch and waited for golden-hour light before returning to Monument Valley in the late afternoon. We couldn't pass up a chance to shoot our favorite two rocks at the overlook next to the Visitor Center, so that was our first stop. Although the light wasn't great, the clouds added interest. It looked like it was raining out in the distance.
Our main stop was another new jewelry sales area along the road into the valley. It looked like a farmer's market with each family having its own booth. But it also provided parking, so we could get out and photograph the formations at the north end of the valley. West Mitten, Big Indian, King on His Throne, and Castle Rock were all visible from the parking area. The flags flying at one booth added some extra color to the scene. A Native American brave on a horse was superimposed on an American flag, and the Navajo rainbow flag flew beside the American flag.
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We finished the day with a return to the overlook near the Visitor Center. I took the same sunset shots near my favorite rocks, but with a cloudless sky, they looked just like last night's shots. Just after sunset, the sky turned to a soft pink and blue, and the formations were surrounded by soft light.
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