It had been a year since my first visit to Upper Antelope Canyon. That visit was too brief and too many other folks in the canyon at the same time. This time I was determined to linger a bit. I planned a trip that would include my birthday and made my way this time to Lower Antelope Canyon.
The earliest I could get into the canyon was 8 a.m. as that is when it opened. I was there and ready well before 8. I was the first visitor of the day and the guide took me to the far, lower end of the canyon to enter. I descended to the canyon floor. Alone. Completely alone. . . in Antelope Canyon. . . on my birthday. . . and I could stay all day!
Lower Antelope Canyon, like Upper Antelope, is a slot canyon. Slot canyons are narrow at the top and wider at the bottom, having been carved out by periodic flood waters. These are places that need to be visited more than once because it takes some experience to begin seeing the canyon the way your camera will see it. What looks unremarkable to the naked eye comes alive through the camera lens. It is only after seeing, photographing and then examining the images that I began to recognize these subtleties. This is one of my favorite images, I call it Heart Of The Canyon. It reminds me of that place within ourselves where we find the Peace of God.
There is so much to capture here. Shapes, textures, hues and tones. The canyon walls are constantly changing as the light inside the canyon changes. I have visited this canyon twice now and feel like I am just barely getting to know it.
Many people come here in search of light shafts. As the sun reaches its mid day height in the sky it shines down into the canyon through openings at the top forming shafts of light. When the shafts show up in the canyon they capture your full attention. This alcove was one of my favorite places in Lower antelope. To the left of the light shaft behind that rock is a little ledge where one can sit in quiet contemplation.
This canyon, located underground, allows us the privilege of visiting with the inner natural beauty of the earth. It reminds me of those people in my life who have allowed me the privilege of knowing their inner beauty.
The earliest I could get into the canyon was 8 a.m. as that is when it opened. I was there and ready well before 8. I was the first visitor of the day and the guide took me to the far, lower end of the canyon to enter. I descended to the canyon floor. Alone. Completely alone. . . in Antelope Canyon. . . on my birthday. . . and I could stay all day!
Lower Antelope Canyon, like Upper Antelope, is a slot canyon. Slot canyons are narrow at the top and wider at the bottom, having been carved out by periodic flood waters. These are places that need to be visited more than once because it takes some experience to begin seeing the canyon the way your camera will see it. What looks unremarkable to the naked eye comes alive through the camera lens. It is only after seeing, photographing and then examining the images that I began to recognize these subtleties. This is one of my favorite images, I call it Heart Of The Canyon. It reminds me of that place within ourselves where we find the Peace of God.
There is so much to capture here. Shapes, textures, hues and tones. The canyon walls are constantly changing as the light inside the canyon changes. I have visited this canyon twice now and feel like I am just barely getting to know it.
Many people come here in search of light shafts. As the sun reaches its mid day height in the sky it shines down into the canyon through openings at the top forming shafts of light. When the shafts show up in the canyon they capture your full attention. This alcove was one of my favorite places in Lower antelope. To the left of the light shaft behind that rock is a little ledge where one can sit in quiet contemplation.
This canyon, located underground, allows us the privilege of visiting with the inner natural beauty of the earth. It reminds me of those people in my life who have allowed me the privilege of knowing their inner beauty.
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