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The Great American Southwest

In the fall of 2010, we spent two weeks exploring the Great American Southwest. It was an amazing trip, amidst spectacular scenery, history and people. I took over 1700 images during that time, and over time, will be sharing many of them here. Please feel free to visit this gallery and leave comments. I hope you enjoy these scenes as much we enjoyed visiting them.

Please note the dates listed with many of these pictures is the date I posted them as a Daily Photo, not the date they were shot.
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I stood with the giants!<br /> <br /> I was out from before dawn, about 6am, until the sun came up to capture many images of sunrise at Monument Valley. I was rewarded with some fascinating photos, and the honor of standing and shooting in this spot.
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I stood with the giants!

I was out from before dawn, about 6am, until the sun came up to capture many images of sunrise at Monument Valley. I was rewarded with some fascinating photos, and the honor of standing and shooting in this spot.

Monument ValleysunriseAmericansouthwestNikon

  • The face of the "New West"<br /> <br /> We met lots of friendly people on our trip to the Southwest, and many were kind enough to pose for a picture with barely any coaxing(!). This lad worked for one of the jeep tours out of Sedona and was more than willing to pose for a few shots. <br /> <br /> “Always hold your head up, but be careful to keep your nose at a friendly level.”
  • Courtyard in Tlaquepaque Village, Sedona, AZ
  • Tlaquepaque, Sedona's arts and crafts village<br /> <br /> "Tlaquepaque, meaning the "best of everything," has been a Sedona landmark since the 1970's. Its vine covered stucco walls, cobble-stoned walkways and magnificent arched entryways give you the feeling that Tlaquepaque has been here for centuries. Tasteful galleries and unique shops live in harmony with its lush natural environment where giant sycamore trees stand in testimony to the care taken in preserving the timeless beauty of the Tlaquepaque grounds." <a href="http://www.tlaq.com/">http://www.tlaq.com/</a>
  • Oak Creek Canyon<br /> <br /> Driving north out of Sedona, we traveled through this canyon and enjoyed many scenic vistas on our way to the Grand Canyon.<br /> <br /> Best viewed X+
  • There are so many words that come to mind upon seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time: immense, magnificent, awe-inspiring, incredible.<br /> <br /> But I think the word that will stay with me the longest is humbling.<br /> <br /> Best viewed X+
  • Meet Harry<br /> <br /> While visiting the Grand Canyon, we had the pleasure of meeting Harry. He has spent his life as a rancher, or as I prefer, a cowboy, working the ranches of the Southwest. The ranch he had worked at for the past 12 years had closed due to the economy and he now works at Grand Canyon Village.<br /> <br /> After chatting with Harry a while, I asked if he'd mind if I took his picture. He seemed surprised that anyone would want to do that, but said "Well sure, if you want to." I think this image captures the character of this man, and reflects the ruggedness of the geography and profession in which he has spent his life.<br /> <br /> We saw Harry again a few times during our visit, and he always gave us a warm smile and a friendly wave. Meeting Harry was one of the many highpoints of our trip.
  • Condors in the Canyon<br /> <br /> There are only 77 Condors in all of AZ and UT. These two magnificent creatures had been resting for a time on stone outcroppings in the Grand Canyon, (here's a shot: <a href="http://www.edspadoni.com/Photography/The-Great-American-Southwest/15384211_vL5AB#1029527750_Mmd5G-A-LB">http://www.edspadoni.com/Photography/The-Great-American-Southwest/15384211_vL5AB#1029527750_Mmd5G-A-LB</a>), before they decided to take wing. I shot this in shutter priority mode at 1/400 sec, f5.3 and panned. Cropped and sharpened slightly in PP.
  • One of Arizona and Utah's 77 Condors<br /> <br /> Grand Canyon
  • Caught in the Act!<br /> <br /> This man and his dog were enjoying a break at an overlook in Grand Canyon Village; he was reading and his pal was people-watching. I thought it made for an interesting shot, but just as I was about to hit the shutter, the man's peripheral vision must have registered "Paparazi!" and I was discovered.<br /> <br /> He didn't seem to mind, and the dog never batted an eye.<br /> <br /> He's probably used to it.
  • One last shot before we left the Grand Canyon.
  • Entering Monument Valley
  • Monument Valley
  • Monument Valley was one of John Wayne's and Director John Ford's favorite locations for filming westerns. It's easy to see why.
  • Sunset, Monument Valley
  • Sunrise, Monument Valley
  • Sunrise, Monument Valley
  • Sunrise on Elephant Butte, Monument Valley<br /> <br /> This is a breath-taking place. Everyone needs to see this.
  • Monument Valley, Sunburst on Merrick's Butte
  • I stood with the giants!<br /> <br /> I was out from before dawn, about 6am, until the sun came up to capture many images of sunrise at Monument Valley. I was rewarded with some fascinating photos, and the honor of standing and shooting in this spot.
  • Antelope Canyon, Page AZ
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