A recent trip to canyon country with my husband, Brent and dog, Augie included a visit to iconic Monument Valley in addition to exploring less traveled remote areas. I have always wondered what Monument Valley was like so while in the area we paid the $20 fee to drive the Navajo Tribal Park loop. It was a bumpy, dusty road and a cloudy afternoon with a fair amount of tourists and tour jeeps. My favorite images captured the iconic Mittens. I thought them to be the most attractive ‘monuments’ in the park and can understand why they are so popular. The rest of our three days were spent exploring areas outside of the popular and often crowded national parks near Moab. Borrowing our sons truck camper we camped for free on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Land below our very own pinnacle one night. It was fun to be on location to shoot it at sunset and then again at sunrise. Other roads revealed rock forms just as wonderful as those found in the parks. While on the road with my husband I’ve learned to curb my shooting (somewhat) and I am looking forward to going back for what I may have forfeited. My friends and I have joked about a support group for the spouse’s of photographers! We realize it’s not easy, so I appreciate my husband’s patience very much.
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Denise Bush's Photo Blog 
Amazing as always Denise. Would love to be there for a Full Moon Rise . . . Or set. And Sunrise/Sunset
Hi Joe! Nice to hear from you. And, good to be there for stars too … next time!
Monumental images!
Thank you Carlos!
wow amazing.
Thanks very much. It’s a lot of fun shooting this landscape.
Really gorgeous images, Denise. It must have been quite a thrill to be there. I especially liked that you camped there to catch the sunsets and sunrises.
Yes … great to camp on location! I have a spot picked out for next time. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Fabulous images, Denise! It must have been a wounderful trip!
Yes … a great trip. It’s only a 3 hour drive to be in this area.
One of my favorite parks and you have captured its magnificence, Denise. Fantastic series. I know exactly what you mean about balancing it all with your spouse. My husband should get the patient supporter award!
Thanks Jane … just two of the images are from the Navajo Tribal Park’s Monument Valley. The rest are from the Needles area of Canyonlands and BLM land.
Reblogged this on Rich's Rambles and commented:
Denise is one helluva photographer and I just wanted all my friends to see what one of the best of the best is doing.
Thanks so much for the nice compliment! I have been taking photography pretty seriously for a long time so it’s great to get positive support!
Fabulous images Denise! What an amazing place to get to see in person!
Thanks Deb! It was a fun trip. My first time camping in Dan’s rig. Augie came with us! He loved having his own sleeping bag.
Great shots! Especially like the last one with the moon. I have camped on BLM land and in national parks, and agree, that it’s too easy to stumble out of the tent and catch the first light that way.
Hi Terry! The formation beneath the moon was out one camper window and the pinnacle the other. I am going to go to some of these locations again and sleep in my car. Great to hear from you and thank you for looking! (P.S. I fixed the typo.)
Wow that is so awesome you were able to camp out in the wild blue yonder! I so wish I had been with you guys. What stunning landscapes you brought back. Brent is lucky to have a little adventure girl.
We will have to go to Utah next time you come out. The landscape is so photogenic … especially when the skies cooperate.
Lovely images, It’s been 20+ years since I visited that area. You have captured it so well and brought back pleasant memories.
I’m glad they conjure up pleasant memories. Thanks so much for the visit and comment!
Wow, great captures!
Thanks very much! 🙂
Gorgeous colours and wonderful skies. It must have been breathtaking to have been there.
Yes … it’s an experience to out among all these unique rock formations. I’m so lucky to live just 3 hours (or so) away.
Amazing geology! It boggles the mind to think of the natural history here. Your photos are stunning as usual, Denise – I really love ‘North Butte.’ The lit ‘chimney’ and the cloud looks like smoke.
Spouses of photographers have to be a patience lot. I often feel guilty and offer to let mine go on without me, but mostly, he sticks around. 🙂
Thank you Eliza. It is an amazing landscape for sure. I’m looking forward to going back soon.
Excellent, Denise! I love them all, especially the monument valley images!
Thanks Angie. Just the two images with The Mittens were from Monument Valley.
Great photos! I will be making my first trip to Utah this summer. On this trip, I will be visiting Arches and Canyonlands.
Well worth the visit but be prepared for heat and crowds if you are going in the summer. Here are some other posts that are mostly scenes from Arches and Canyonlands Parks. Thanks for your visit and comment!
Thanks! I’m looking forward to exploring those places. Hopefully I can get back there and see the other parks.
All of them are very nice, and I love the ‘sunburst’. Funny about the support group….
Thanks! I appreciate the visit and comment! 🙂
Stunning photos, Denise. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for looking and commenting Isabel!
Beautiful work, Denise. Always a pleasure to see your photos! And if a national support group for the spouse’s of photographers ever develops, let me know so my husband can join. 😉
OK Donna, I’ll let you know. Thanks for the visit and nice comment.
Great stuff, Denise! Love it!
Thanks very much! Glad you like! 😁
What a delicious spread of vast scenery and sandstone monuments! Years ago my Australian husband and I toured this area on a trip to the Grand Canyon. He was estatic with the place and we both commented on the colours of Australia that were here before our eyes. Desert Sunburst is my favourite in this collection. There is so much ‘mood’ in your capture.
Thanks Mary. Glad to here you were able to visit this awesome area! I appreciate the visit and nice comment. 😁
Reblogged this on Random Repeat.
Thank you for sharing my post!
Those are all beautiful images Denise! This place has long been on my Bucket List.
My husband rarely goes with me. He doesn’t have the patience to wait for the right light with me. When we are together and I have my camera I tend to rush, or forego shots too.
A support group might be good to have while on a photography trip. 🙂
I can certainly do a better job alone or with a photo buddy but enjoy exploring new places with Brent. I made mental notes of what I want to go back to when I am on a dedicated photo trip! Thanks for your visit and nice comment!
Fantastic photo’s Denise, well worth the $20 🙂
Thank you … I think it was worth the $20 too! 🙂(Although just the 2 pics with the Mittens were from Monument Valley.)
Stunning captures! I have always wanted to visit Monument and the areas surrounding Moab are so incredibly beautiful!
Looks like another great trip Denise , so glad you got a chance to get there. Photos are beautiful! I had never heard of the Mittens.
Thanks Vickie … The Mittens are one of those iconic places all landscape photographers have on their bucket list!