Red Rock Country

I recently spent a few days in Utah visiting Arches and Canyonlands national parks, both of which are home to some amazing rock formations. This photo was taken on the first day of the trip, in Arches National Park, on a cool, cloudy and rainy morning. The rocks, gravel, dead tree and path lead the eye to the big formation in the middle of the image.

Pretty in Orange

This Cuban girl was dressed in her finest dress for her photo session on the steps of an old Havana church as part of her quinceanera, a celebration to mark her 15th birthday. The 15th birthday is believed to mark the transition from childhood to young womanhood. The custom, which originated in Latin America, also is widely celebrated in the United States. This young lady had struggled to walk across the plaza's cobblestones in high heeled shoes before changing into her color-coordinated sneakers.

The Blue Man

I spotted what I at first thought was a blue statue sitting on a bench in downtown Cienfuegos, Cuba. I wass part of a photography trip to Cuba, and that afternoon's assignment was to find interesting things to photograph.

As I headed back up the street past this statue again, I noticed a flicker in the eyes that told me this was no statue, but a real man sitting perfectly still. I signaled that I would like to photograph him, he gave a very slight nod, and I deposited one Cuban peso in a boot sitting next to him, along with a fishing pole.

Sleeping Elk

This cow elk was sound asleep near the visitor center in Yellowstone National Park's Mammoth Hot Springs area. The presence of cars  and people taking her picture didn't bother her at all. She obviously felt very safe among people, where no wolves and bears were likely to go.

Solitary Sentinel

Winter is still a few months away, but this solitary tree in a field of deep snow and even deeper snow drifts in Yellowstone National Park reminds us that winter in the park really isn't that far off. I really like the stark beauty, the shadows and the various shapes formed by the drifting snow. Yellowstone is even more magical in winter than during the rest of the year. It remains my favorite place in the United States to visit.

Back to the Past

I came across this old Ford pickup truck parked near a classic Coca-Cola sign one morning while driving to Chaco Canyon in northwest New Mexico. I made a quick U-turn as quickly as I could and got a couple of pictures of this scene. 

Somehow the old truck and the old-style sign on the side of a convenience store/gas station just seemed to go together.

Native Dancer

This young Native American dancer performed his tribe's deer dance at the annual Indian Market, held every August in downtown Santa Fe, NM. It draws tens of thousands of visitors and hundreds of Native artists, sculptors, weavers and silversmiths.