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“The Watchman”
Description:
The Watchman rises above the Virgin River corridor in Zion National Park, composed of Navajo Sandstone formed from ancient desert dunes. Viewed near the Zion Human History Museum, this landmark peak anchors the entrance to Zion Canyon in Utah’s most visited national park.
Story:
Storm clouds swirled over The Watchman in Zion National Park.
I was overcome by the scene in front of me — sunlight breaking through clouds that had pummeled the canyon hours earlier, striking The Watchman like Utah’s sandstone version of Hawaii’s Diamond Head.
This moment arrived just as I returned to the parking lot of the Zion Human History Museum, where I had left my car that morning before taking the shuttle deeper into the park. I was tired and ready to head back to my hotel.
But the light changed everything.
I found a spot only a few hundred feet away, requiring a hop across Oak Creek. Just as I set up, my camera battery died. I left my tripod and camera in place and sprinted back to the car. Missing the light, or spraining an ankle, worried me more than my gear being stolen.
When nature puts on a show, it’s as permanent as a snowman in the desert sun. Grandeur like that doesn’t wait.
By what I can only describe as dumb luck (or youth) I made it back in time to capture the photograph before the moment vanished. A close call, and one I should’ve learned from only days earlier while photographing Thor’s Hammer in Bryce Canyon.
-BAP
Location:
Watchman Road
Zion National Park
Utah
37° 12' 22.8'' N, 112° 58' 48.5'' W
Google Map Link
Time: 18:16 MDT (sunset 19:11)
Date: October 4th, 2018
Camera & Settings:
Single shot
Sony RX100 IV, Tripod
ISO 125, 8.8 mm (24 mm), f/8, 1/30 sec
📥 Download FREE desktop wallpaper
🖼️ View artwork details & shipping
📸 Request a free wall preview
“The Watchman”
Description:
The Watchman rises above the Virgin River corridor in Zion National Park, composed of Navajo Sandstone formed from ancient desert dunes. Viewed near the Zion Human History Museum, this landmark peak anchors the entrance to Zion Canyon in Utah’s most visited national park.
Story:
Storm clouds swirled over The Watchman in Zion National Park.
I was overcome by the scene in front of me — sunlight breaking through clouds that had pummeled the canyon hours earlier, striking The Watchman like Utah’s sandstone version of Hawaii’s Diamond Head.
This moment arrived just as I returned to the parking lot of the Zion Human History Museum, where I had left my car that morning before taking the shuttle deeper into the park. I was tired and ready to head back to my hotel.
But the light changed everything.
I found a spot only a few hundred feet away, requiring a hop across Oak Creek. Just as I set up, my camera battery died. I left my tripod and camera in place and sprinted back to the car. Missing the light, or spraining an ankle, worried me more than my gear being stolen.
When nature puts on a show, it’s as permanent as a snowman in the desert sun. Grandeur like that doesn’t wait.
By what I can only describe as dumb luck (or youth) I made it back in time to capture the photograph before the moment vanished. A close call, and one I should’ve learned from only days earlier while photographing Thor’s Hammer in Bryce Canyon.
-BAP
Location:
Watchman Road
Zion National Park
Utah
37° 12' 22.8'' N, 112° 58' 48.5'' W
Google Map Link
Time: 18:16 MDT (sunset 19:11)
Date: October 4th, 2018
Camera & Settings:
Single shot
Sony RX100 IV, Tripod
ISO 125, 8.8 mm (24 mm), f/8, 1/30 sec
