The landscapes I capture, like the face of a missing friend, fade gently from memory. My piece “Moon Fin Canyon de Chelly” became a mysterious vision. I remembered the context, the canyon topology was lost until I constructed the panorama, above, from three shots taken one evening, July 2008, from a cliff near the White House Overlook. Five years after my visit with Sean Wills, Pam and I returned to Canyon de Chelly to walk the same path.
At that time, a 50 mm lens was my widest angle, so I would take multiple images in sequence and use Photoshop later to construct a panorama. This past Sunday afternoon I spent stitching together my work from 2008. In doing so I see “my fin”, in the center, bordered by the canyon road, is attached to the White House Ruin cliff via a thin ridge.
During that session a photogenic thunderhead, lit by the evening, hovered behind the fin as the gibbous moon did that long ago evening.
Click to visit Rock Fin with Thunderhead in my OnLine Gallery
Michael Stephen Wills Photography 
That thunderhead really adds a special something to the whole scene. Interesting panorama you’ve stitched together. 🙂
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Thank you, Olga…..I juggled the cloud while staying in the shadow of the south cliff.
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Oh, to clarify….this was the actual image. It is NOT a composite.
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The cloud does a good job of filling the space left by the wall of stone.
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Hi Steve, with preparation, monsoon season (July) is a great time to visit Northern Arizona. Another time is winter. We visited July and were favored with many days of developing thunderstorms. I love the smell of distant rain on the desert.
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Our visits to Arizona over the past few years have been in September and October. I don’t think we’ve ever been there in July or the winter. You’ve given me an incentive to visit at those times.
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When I lived there, I missed the northeast seasons; but grew to know, understand and appreciate the southwestern desert seasons.
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And I appreciate not having to put up with the cold of the Northeastern winter.
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This place seems so awesome and the landscape is so picturesque. I am definitely adding Canyon de Chelly to my bucket list. Is it a good place for hiking, Michael?
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If you are visiting the Four Corners area, Canyon De Chelly is a must see….plan on a minimum of two days.
The park has one hiking trail accessible to the general public, a relatively short and rewarding trail down the cliff and to the White House Ruin. The climbing portion is maybe a quarter mile, the rest is over flat terrain. Not challenging, rewarding though with great views and interesting sights. To access the rest of the canyon it is necessary to hire a guide. Here is a link with some info…….
https://www.nps.gov/cach/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Thanks, Agness…
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Michael, this is so creative. Thank you! I’ve heard this is a gorgeous area to visit. Lovely seeing it through your eyes. Hope you are doing really well. Debbie
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Hi Debbie…I appreciate the compliment….that feedback is very important to me. Happy Thanksgiving.
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Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Michael. I hope it was wonderful! 🙂 Blessings, Debbie
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I’ve really enjoyed reading and seeing the beautiful photographs this afternoon from your trips to Canyon de Chelly. You have quite a talent for capturing amazing images with a camera!
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Keigoede begroeting!
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Great job on the panorama.
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Thank You, Pepper. Positive words are always appreciated.
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Wonderful photos of Canyon de Chelly, Michael Stephen. You captured the vast openness creatively and skillfully.
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When I visited with my son, 2003, we stayed at the Best Western at the canyon and had a great experience there.
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