Sandstone formations, Buckskin Gulch, Paria Wilderness, southern Utah, #c40

Reflected light in the narrow slot canyons of the Paria Wilderness allows for an image with the ultimate in balance, texture and form. A wedged log creates perspective and it’s also proof of the force and depth of the flash flood waters that create these canyons. This light can only be captured with very long shutter speeds, in this case it took five minutes to make an exposure and I have made others that have taken much longer. Before exploring slot canyons of the southwest one must carefully watch the weather in order to avoid getting caught in a flash flood from which there is no escape. Fast moving muddy waters filled with debris crashes through these canyons when thundershowers are active.