Wednesday, June 2, 2010

A Geometric Puzzle

I finally decided to take a day off from working around the house and head out for a rare (lately) day shooting some new work. Joshua Tree N.P. is now only 80 miles or so from home (and the most photogenic location in my area), so we drove out there for a quick day trip.
This formation known as the Giant Marbles, is one of the most interesting among so many to be found here.. I had never managed to locate it on previous trips, but it was quite easy to find with some quick directions from a ranger at the visitor center. Molten magma that rose up under the earth eons ago, solidified, cracked and was then exposed when the softer soil eroded away, explains the geometric stacking effect. The soft light on the rocks is just a minute or so before the sun set behind a ridge, casting the whole scene into shadow and killing the color... glad I got the composition I wanted just at the right moment. For a sense of scale, the round "marble" balancing on the top is probably 5-6 ft. diameter.

10 comments:

The Retired One said...

Awesome!!!

Gaelyn said...

This is great. I love JT! Nice to see you out here.

Kcalpesh said...

This is great! Had never seen a natural arrangement like this before! Love the colors!!


Pixellicious Photos

Carolyn Ford said...

Joshua Tree is the BEST! I, too, have been out there recently. I haven't seen this area though...but, I sure loved the Giant Rocks area in that evening light. This photo is so beautiful!

Unknown said...

Nice to see you back at your photographic work Mark and happy because i'm sure i'll soon find other beautiful images from JT here soon.

Nature is often amazing and also this image. The light/shadow balance is perfect.

Patrick

Ashrays said...

A new post at last about time ;)

Lovely shot, as you said lovely light, it's amazing just how quick the sun can disappear below the horizon and it all goes to pot. Nice contrasts also just right.

Hope the hernia gets better soon after lifting those huge marbles up there :))

Cruiselife & Co said...

Looks like blocks of clay ready to be molded. I just love geology. It's so diverse.

Amy Lilley Designs said...

I too, love love love the colors and contrast, along w/ the balance of the composition...wonderful Mark!!

storybeader said...

it looks wonderful... how fun! And the color of the sky! WOW!

Jazevox said...

looks like its taken from Mars. what a stunning scene.

we drove by Utah and Arizona one time, its such a neat place to photograph, so much huge rock formations and they look even beautiful when the sun is hitting against them in the afternoon
fifty states travel