Badland Blooms
It’s a marvel how life can flourish given the chance. Such delicate circumstances can lead to unparalleled beauty in otherwise arid lands. These flowers had b...
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It’s a marvel how life can flourish given the chance. Such delicate circumstances can lead to unparalleled beauty in otherwise arid lands. These flowers had been waiting over a decade to sprout up. Their fragile seeds lay just inches below the surface. In contrast to the time is takes for such wonders to come to life, it’s mind blowing how fast it can be taken away and destroyed.
There’s been many publications recently about the geology and ecosystem surrounding Factory Butte. Many still believe that human caused motor travel will be washed away and erased after it rains, so there’s no harm in opening up the area to cross country OHV travel. This is simply not the case.
Contrary to popular myth and the BLM’s repeated misrepresentations, these tracks don’t simply disappear after the next rain. Photographs taken after historic flooding still show extensive ruts across the landscape. The tracks channel rain water which easily erodes the pulverized soil and deepens the tracks! Driving over the soil also turns it to powder that easily washes away in the rain.
John Dohrenwend, a retired U.S. Geological Survey geologist and professor at the University of Arizona, says the OHV-related damage in Factory Butte is very real. His research reveals accelerated levels of erosion on Factory Butte hillsides from OHV use, and significant damage to the crust on the area's Mancos Shale, which he says could take decades to repair.
The BLM itself has proclaimed the Factory Butte area to be among the “most geologically unique and scenic areas administered by the BLM.” Yet they secretly opened the entire area up to motorized travel without public input to cater towards a single interest group.
Visit suwa.org/?s=factory+butte to learn more about conservation efforts.
Read less
There’s been many publications recently about the geology and ecosystem surrounding Factory Butte. Many still believe that human caused motor travel will be washed away and erased after it rains, so there’s no harm in opening up the area to cross country OHV travel. This is simply not the case.
Contrary to popular myth and the BLM’s repeated misrepresentations, these tracks don’t simply disappear after the next rain. Photographs taken after historic flooding still show extensive ruts across the landscape. The tracks channel rain water which easily erodes the pulverized soil and deepens the tracks! Driving over the soil also turns it to powder that easily washes away in the rain.
John Dohrenwend, a retired U.S. Geological Survey geologist and professor at the University of Arizona, says the OHV-related damage in Factory Butte is very real. His research reveals accelerated levels of erosion on Factory Butte hillsides from OHV use, and significant damage to the crust on the area's Mancos Shale, which he says could take decades to repair.
The BLM itself has proclaimed the Factory Butte area to be among the “most geologically unique and scenic areas administered by the BLM.” Yet they secretly opened the entire area up to motorized travel without public input to cater towards a single interest group.
Visit suwa.org/?s=factory+butte to learn more about conservation efforts.
Read less
Jul, 2020Views
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Awards
People's Choice in Purple Tones Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Awesome Landscapes Photo Contest
Zenith Award
Contest Finalist in Creative Landscapes Photo Contest vol11
Honorable Mention in Mother Nature Photo Contest 2021
Contest Finalist in Mother Nature Photo Contest 2021
Contest Finalist in Remote And Isolated Photo Contest
Runner Up in Purple Shades Photo Contest
Winter Award 2020
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
Virtuoso
All Star
Superior Skill
Genius
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 30 rank
Top 30 rank
Top 20 rank
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Creule
January 29, 2021
I love the Desert when it blooms! Great photo, I really like the purple colors repeated in the clouds. The balance of color makes the image very appealing. Also thank you for the background of this beautiful Badlands area. Keep up the conversation efforts our children’s, children deserve it.
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p_eileenbaltz
March 27, 2022
I love everything about this! Congratulations on your award in the Mother Nature Contest.
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RJRiggins
October 14, 2022
I read your notes on the area, it is very sad that people act with impunity and destroy habitat with these types vehicles. Thanks for the great photo. Factory butte is on my list of places to photograph.
alirezajalilpour
February 09, 2023
please follow me \nim a bigginer photographer \nyours photo is so great\u270C\uFE0F😉
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cavazbe
March 22, 2023
What an impressive display of flowers and great capture & thanks for sharing the background of the photo.
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CandyUpshaw
May 28, 2023
Your photos are Spectacular!! Very eye opening.You show us things an places some of will never get to see, Thank you 🙏
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