Moab and More: Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
Six years ago, I braved the sweltering heat and the unforgiving sun to visit Arches National Park. I was instantly whisked away to a land of unrivaled beauty - of colossal buttes, distant mountains, and a symphony of reds and oranges. Sometime later, I returned in the winter to experience this magical landscape blanketed in powdered snow, blessed with epic sunsets and gorgeous colors. Here are just a few of the photos I captured on those unforgettable trips to eastern Utah.
Utah’s iconic monument stands proud amidst a vibrant sunset. In the distance, snowcapped peaks tower over the desert landscape.
Mesa Arch is one of the most recognizable natural landmarks in the United States, and an incredibly popular sunrise location. Its renown is well-deserved, however, and on a cold winter morning I had this small arch and its large vista all to myself.
Winter rains the night prior left the Utah desert speckled with small, reflecting puddles – a playground for any nature photographer. Here, the Organ Butte in Arches National Park plays the music of a vivid dusk.
The threat of an impending storm casts a shadow over the otherwise bright and infinite desert. The mood reminded me of one of my favorite movies – Mad Max Fury Road – and of the harsh indifference of the arid landscape.
This section of Arches National Park is known as Park Avenue, aptly named after the street in New York City guarded by towering skyscrapers and imposing constructions. To the left, remnants of a rainstorm mark the path to desert skyscrapers in the distance, while on the right the Courthouse Butte reigns over its red kingdom.
As the sun sets, bright reds give way to deep blues and hypnotic purples. At the Tower of Babel, a blanket of stars twinkle mischievously from their sentry in the dark night sky.
You never know what you’re going to get in the desert. These photos were taken just a few hours apart – after the blue skies on the left yielded to the impending threat of snow you can see on the right. As a photographer it’s paradise, but one always need to be prepared for an always-fluctuating climate.
Keyhole Arch is one of the more interesting structures to be found in Moab. When composing this image, I purposely excluded everything from behind the arch. I like the idea that if you are brave enough to walk the path, journey through the doorway, and emerge on the other side, what lies beyond is a complete mystery. What do you think you’ll find?
Thank you for viewing! You can always find more of my images at my website: www.jasonhagani.com
