Red Rock Beauty in Sedona, AZ

Yesterday was a beautiful crisp autumn day in Sedona. "Crisp" not in terms of temperature, as it was still relatively warm there, but in the vivid quality of blue sky that domed over the desert. It was a great day for taking a hike, and so we did. Here are some of my favorite photos from yesterday's excursion. Some of these photos are of the same red rock formations from varying vantage points, but I just couldn't resist.

As seen with the above, I really wanted to get photos of red rocks with yucca in the foreground.

Initially, I didn't want to include the above photo in the collection, as it is the one exception to all the blue sky beauty present in the other photos, but the red rock formation and the grasses at the forefront insisted on taking this starring role.

I fell in love with this dead tree stump the moment I saw it. Look at the graininess of its texture and its variation of color.

Bell Rock. The trail we took actually winds around this majestic rock feature.

There is a certain regal quality to the way this red rock is captured in this photograph, all front and center with formidable height and mass.

Some dead tree action here. Dead trees rock! (Disclaimer: Living trees also rock, and I love both equally.)

A bouquet of red rocks. I love it.

I like the mushroom-top feature of these red rocks here.

A classic view that has been the subject of multiple photo-taking fits of mine in the past. I never tire of it.

Beauty in the Backyard

I believe I posted a photo of this red rock formation a few months ago, but here is an update from last Sunday. For years, I have loved this red rock formation and was jealous of the lucky people able to live at the base of such remarkable beauty. Imagine waking up to this sight every morning! Imagine the intense sunsets casting their glow upon the surface of those rocky tops! This red rock formation is no "rhino rock" (my own pet name, see the photo in the title box above), but it is a stunning vision. Enjoy!

One More Photo from Sunday's Excursion

As the focus of this photo isn't as crisp as I would have wanted, I debated whether or not to post this shot of a beautiful scene. But then I reasoned that this particular red rock formation is so spectacularly cool that it would be a shame not to share. Enjoy the day!

Another Jeep Tour in Sedona

Today, I made an excursion to Sedona to take another Jeep tour of the area's backroad beauty. The tour itself was excellent. Our tour guide was friendly, conversational, and, most important, fully knowledgeable. My only regret was the weather, with an indecisive sun that couldn't resolve to either stay hidden behind clouds or slip out into blue sky and bathe the high desert with light. That compromised the quality of some of the photographs, or so I feel. But here is a collection of some of the best from today's batch. I hope you enjoy them.

This backroad grants access to a number of hiking trails that provide incredible views of the area.

I love the jagged quality of the red rock on this mountain.

Nothing instills in you a sense of awe like the wide open space of the Arizona desert!

The light rock on top of the red rock is simply stunning. Okay, I must admit that I haven't retained the vast majority of detailed information our tour guide shared with us. I was simply entranced by the beauty of the red rocks and my camera kept calling for my attention.

The photo above, along with the two below, were not part of the Jeep tour. They were photos I took at a scenic view as we drove towards Oak Creek Village and to the interstate that would take us back to Phoenix. But how could I resist stopping to enjoy this?

This might be my favorite photo from this batch. Such a sense of distance, with the desert spread out far beyond, and such a sense of magnitude, with the giant outcrop of red rocks punctuating the distance. I never tire of Sedona's beauty. It makes me proud to be an Arizonan!

Jeep Tour in Sedona

It took a couple of weeks before the weather was ripe for a Jeep tour in Sedona, but yesterday was a reward for patience. As I have already mentioned, the weather was clear and sunny, and warmer. It was a picture perfect day, and what else could I do but celebrate it by taking photographs. The picture above is the first photo I took on our Jeep tour, as we made our slow, but rocky, ascent up the mountain. In the distance lies the town of Sedona, sandwiched between ranges of red rocks jutting up from the earth into sunlight and sky. I always marvel at the beauty of Sedona, as it feels almost surreal to catch sight of these massive rock formations shouldering the blue heaven. Sedona is a famous center for art galleries and New Age stores. There are several energy vortexes located in the area. Looking at this stunning beauty, one can understand why people feel such a powerful, even mystical, affinity for Sedona.

I believe this is the red rock the tour guide called "Mitten Rock," but I couldn't relate to that name. For some reason, this red rock formation reminds me of a boat or a ship floating in an arid blue sea.

Here is a close-up of Sedona red rock, part of a wall of a large red rock formation. See how beautifully smooth the red rock is. As this photo was taken while we were driving, and the red rock was so far away, I consider myself lucky that I was able to capture a sight as crisp and vibrant as this.

Just on the other side of all this red rock stands this more "classic" (for lack of a better word) mountain populated with pine.

Practically one solid wall of red rock.

I have no idea what the official name of this red rock formation is, but I see a top or a dancer with a long, flowing gown twirling around. The grooves in the flaring bottom of this rock suggest a circular motion. This sense of movement, along with the angle of this photograph, helps me to imagine this red rock spinning its way down to the desert floor and heading towards town.

Just a closer view of the same top-like red rock formation and its flaring robe that looks as if it is sweeping across the desert. And distance, so much distance of desert and mountains, vast expanses that suggest the vastness of possibility.

SNOW!

Just one photo right now from yesterday's Jeep tour (the rest will be posted tonight). This continues to display my fascination with the sight of snow. As we ascended on our path, I found patches of snow and couldn't resist trying to snap a photo or two of the beautiful sight passing before me. Given the rough and rocky road we were traveling upon, this was by far the best and most focused snapshot of snow on the ground I could manage: snow and Sedona red rocks! Warm winter wishes to you.

Three Snapshots from a Sunday Drive

Today was the day. We finally made our way to Sedona for a Jeep tour. The weather was beautifully sunny, and the sky was unobstructed and blue. I could tell that I am transitioning to becoming a Phoenician when I got excited looking at the San Francisco Peaks, just north of Flagstaff, and found them to be snowcapped. So, so beautiful. When I lived in Chicago and took flights back to Arizona, I would know we would soon be starting our descent into Phoenix when I looked out the window and saw the San Francisco Peaks, and then the red rocks of Sedona. I knew it would not be too long before our arrival. I confess that I really miss snow, and having four full seasons, especially autumn, but I love making this trek up north and spending the day amidst such desert magnificence.

I took this photo off the road, just two miles south from the exit leading to Sedona. This is where Arizona slowly changes to resemble northern New Mexico. Looking at a sight like this brings back so many memories. This is also the part of Arizona where you can catch the sight of ravens in flight or in descent during their hunt for prey. We don't have ravens in Phoenix; it's only when I come up north to Sedona, or to Prescott, when I can spot them gliding gracefully upon the open desert air.

And, finally, our arrival in Sedona, and this is where I will stop for the night. Originally, I had intended to post selected photos from my Sedona Jeep tour, but I got home later than planned and still had to make another soup (this one tomato garden vegetable). I was also acutely aware of the fact that a new episode of The Walking Dead was just a couple of brief hours away, and I had to get everything finished before then. First things first. Oh well, the good news is that I have more photos to share, which I will do tomorrow.

A Sunny Second Look

"Rhino Rock," Sedona, AZ

I forgot to include a photo of my favorite Sedona red rock formation in my last post. Well, here it is, along with my signature dead tree standing out from among the green multitude. I never tire of this particular red rock formation, and I wanted to post a photo of it in sunlit splendor, with the daylight detailing its variation in color. Sedona is really a magical place.

Sunday in Sedona

Sedona, AZ

I went back to Sedona yesterday. I didn't take too many photographs, as I decided to walk the same trail, in order to get photos of some scenes from my earlier excursion, but in bright sunlight. Here is a handful of photos from yesterday's trip. As you can see from the photo above, this particular red rock formation, one of my favorites, is situated just off of Sedona's main commercial strip. There are even houses located at the foot of this mountain. Imagine living in a house that enjoys a window view like this! Next time, I will take another trail for some new photo opportunities, or take one of their Jeep tours, which look to be very cool. Enjoy the day!

Sedona, AZ

Sedona, AZ

Sedona, AZ

I tried being artsy with this one, but with mixed results.

Revisiting Sedona (More Photos from Last Sunday)

Sedona, AZ

Here are some more photos of Sedona from last Sunday. A number of these are photos of the same rock formations, but from different locations, and a few are of completely different areas of the same hiking trail. I love the photo above because not only does it capture my "Rhino Rock," but also a vast patch of parched red earth and rock. This photo is a nice experiment in perspective.

Sedona, AZ

If I am correct, this is Cathedral Rock in the distance. There is actually a park in Sedona that offers a famous view of Cathedral Rock with a stream rippling past in the foreground. I love that view, the juxtaposition of desert aridity with refreshing cool water: the tension of opposites positioned together.

Sedona, AZ

Sedona, AZ

Sedona, AZ

The photo above and the photo below were not taken along the hiking trail. Rather, they were both taken from the parking lot of a shopping center of art galleries located just off Sedona's main commercial strip. They just give you an idea of how the town of Sedona is plopped down right in the middle of beautiful, awe-inspiring red rock formations. Such close proximity to majesty. In Sedona, the mystical seems to be an intimate companion!

Sedona, AZ

Sedona, AZ

Here is the trail I hiked on Sunday.

Sedona, AZ

Once again, the winding red earth trail!

Sedona, AZ

Sedona, AZ

Sedona, AZ

Yes, another dead tree, the gray of its bark offset by the intense red of Sedona earth and rock!