Bonnie Rannald's Photo-Explorations in focus with nature. : Toroweep Point

Thursday, April 19, 2012

In Celebration of Earth Day

Senator Gaylord Nelsen's Idea Realized

On April 22nd. people across the world join together and participate in Earth Day to share in their appreciation for our planet. It is a time for us with different beliefs and cultures to stand united with one common goal, the protection of our home, the Earth.

Earth Day evolved over 40 years ago and was the brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelsen, under the administration of President Kennedy for the purpose of getting the environment in to the political agenda. Since 1962, Senator Nelsen's idea has grown in to a world wide event. In 2014, it is even timelier with the significance on coming together for our sustainable future. http://earthday.envirolink.org/history.html

In my appreciation of Earth Day 2014, I would like to take a look at a few of my favorite places that might not be preserved as they are today had it not been for the efforts of conservationists like Senator Nelsen.

White Sands National Monument is located in south central New Mexico. Standing at an elevation of 4235 feet (1291 m) the white gypsum crystal sand dunes comprise an area of approximately 275-mi²(710-km² ) that is also shared with the White Sands Missile Range. White Sands National Monument preserves the terrain and inhabitants that have adapted to this ever changing environment in the world's largest gypsum dune field.

Death Valley National Park, located in the states of California and Nevada is the largest national park in the lower 48 states and had been declared an International Biosphere Reserve, with 95% of the park designated as a wilderness area.

International Biosphere Reserves are areas that are forecast to have the most difficult challenges with maintaining and conserving the diversity of the ecosystem while at the same time meeting the material needs of the growing population. Known for its extremes, Death Valley is one of the hottest places in the summer with an elevation that ranges from the saltpan at 282 feet (86 m) below sea level to the sub-alpine conditions found on the summit of Telescope Peak, which rises to 11,049 feet (3,368 m).

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is located the Mojave Desert and is approximately 15 miles (24 km) west of the sprawling city of Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1990, special legislation changed the status of the Red Rock Recreation Lands to a National Conservation Area, which provides funds to maintain and protect the 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) as a National Conservation Area. A one-way 13 mile (21 km) long paved loop road provides access to the colorful topography of large red rock formations and sandstone peaks that make up the 3,000 feet (910 m) high canyon walls.

With the growing world wide population, as we use more and more of our natural resources, I believe the responsibility for our sustainable future must come from all of the Earth's citizens. Not only are we responsible for handing down a legacy of natural wonders to future generations but also for nurturing our planet in order that it will sustain us for generations to come.

http://www.earthday.org/2012

http://www.nature.org/earthday/index.htm?src=CPC.sgoogle.CE3.AG269.CC71.CL2.MT3.KW2520&gclid=CL3w7_-Mwa8CFRJlhwodqSlzvw

What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences.

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"

Many of these images are available on my website:

http://www.bonnierannald.com/

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download.

All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Western Grand Canyon

Toroweep Point

One of the most beautiful and intriguing places that I’ve photographed is Toroweep Point, located on the north rim of the western Grand Canyon. To reach Toroweep Point, named by John Wesley Powell to describe the fault, formation and point, requires a 2.5 hour, 60 mile drive on a dirt washboard road without any services, facilities or human habitation. However, to endure the hot and dusty trip takes one to the very edge of the Grand Canyon that offers a view that can only be described as a Cathedral in the Sky.

Upon arriving at road’s end, and departing the vehicle, my first impression is of openness so vast it feels as if I am no longer attached to the earth. Next, the landscape comes in to sight: a magnificent scene where sheer cliffs drop 3000 feet to the green Colorado River flowing below.

As I walk toward the unfenced overlook for a closer glimpse, I get an uneasy feeling, almost a vertigo that I am standing on the edge of the world. Once my senses begin to stabilize, I become aware of the profound silence that is interrupted only by the lonely drone of an occasional tour plane, or the faint scurry of tiny feet traveling through the cover of dry Bunch grass.

After locating a rock shelf that is sturdy enough to allow me to set up a shot that will frame the cliff’s wall extending out on the left, nearest to the viewfinder, and also include the Grand Canyon gorge with the Colorado flowing lazily below, I set the aperture at f/11, then expose the AGFA 50 ISO film at 1/60 a second.

I feel that this view of ubiquitous beauty deserves the quality of my Hassleblad camera and Ziess 40mm wide angles lens. No other equipment can portray the sharp detail and graphic design of the canyon in its entirety. From the crème-colored Kaibab limestone rim, to the Redwall limestone cliffs that extend down 600 feet to eventually give way to Bright Angel green shale slopes, ending with the dark brown Sandstone of the Inner Gorge just above the Colorado River.

As pleased as I am with the quality and detail of my photographic reproduction, it still can give only a two dimensional impression of Toroweep point. To fully experience Toroweep Point in its entirety and through all the senses as it deserves, one must make the rough solitary 60 mile drive, dodging cattle, bumping over rocks, and creeping through mud filled washes.

For more information you can follow these links below.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080205100014.htm

http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/grand_canyon/north_rim.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wesley_Powell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_River

http://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_grasses.php

http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/geology/gc_layer.htm

http://www.hitthetrail.com/geology3.php

http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/coloradoplateau/lexicon/brightangel.htm

http://www.hitthetrail.com/geology5.php

All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald.
For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request to the image.