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
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Spring Selections Photo Contest
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
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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.
p_eileenbaltz
March 27, 2022
I love everything about this! Congratulations on your award in the Mother Nature Contest.
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😉
cavazbe
March 22, 2023
What an impressive display of flowers and great capture & thanks for sharing the background of the photo.
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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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in the Badlands of Southern Utah.Time
The setting for this photo was early evening, a little while before sunset as a storm was racing by.Lighting
There was a thunderstorm bringing in micro-burst rain clouds which would dance in front of the sun, causing different areas of the distant butte to light up. The clouds also filtered the direct sunlight which gave the flowers a softer tone.Equipment
This was shot with a Canon 5D Mark IV, with a 16-35mm f2.8 lens. Sirui tripod, and Breakthrough Photography Polarized filter.Inspiration
This area of badlands is usually stark, barren, and void of any type of vegetation. For these delicate flowers to bloom, special circumstances have to occur where an abundance of moisture visits this region and seeps down into the ground from the summer of the previous year and continues through winter and into spring. This rare occurrence only happens about once every decade.Editing
For this scene, I wanted to distant butte to be in focus just as much as the flowers in the foreground, so I used a technique called Focus Stacking. Taking photos and focusing on several areas of the composition, followed by layering all of those images in Photoshop and blending only the sharp pixels together. This result is an image that is in focus all the way through.In my camera bag
Depending on the landscape I intend to shoot, I'll change out my equipment. Generally, I'll have my camera body, then 2-3 lenses that vary in range from a6-35mm, 24-70mm, and even a 100-400mm depending on the distance away from the subject matter. A sturdy tripod is a must, especially when shooting panoramas and focus stacking. I also pack a pocket rocket to blow off any dust from my lenses and do so regularly.Feedback
Timing is everything. These flowers only bloomed for a few weeks before dying and completely disappearing. Study the environment you are visiting, weather patterns, and learn about any restrictions the area may have. Planning ahead will help increase the chances of success once you're on location.