Valley of Fire

The Valley of Fire State Park is a complex maze of canyons.  Petroglyphs are abundant. The colors of the sandstone run from cadmium red deep to tinted naples yellow.  As you hike within the narrow walls of the red sandstone the reflective colors surround you and seem to turn the air red.



These are not ancient native american cliff dwellings but are interesting erosional patterns covering only about ten feet of rock wall.

Las Vegas

Outside of the city limits of Las Vegas are many interesting geological areas.  Red Rock National Monument and The Valley of Fire are both remnants from the red sand dunes that covered the southwest in the geological past.  The red sandstone erodes in a elaborate ways that echo their wind swept origins.
Red seems to be the color.  We spotted this wild red horse about 20 miles north of Boulder City.

Red Rock National Monument

Death Valley

This will do it for now on Death Valley.  What an incredible winter destination.



I have no clue. Only in Nevada.

Paintings

The two above are sketch book watercolors. This one is from just above the ghost town of Rhyolite, NV
These three are full sheet watercolors.  Watercolor lends itself to the desert light and subtle neutrals. It has been really enjoyable to set up and paint full sheets in a couple of hours. They do dry fast in this low humidity. The painting above is from the Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA
Death Valley in the Black Mountains.
 Mojave Desert in California. 

Ash Meadow National Wildlife Preserve

East of Death Valley in Nevada natural warm water springs come pouring out of the ground after traveling a 1000 years underground from snow pack from the distant surrounding mountains. Remnant fish from the last time the valleys were filled with lakes remain in these springs.  The pup fish, supported by their designation of 'endangered', caused this area to be taken back from private ownership (cotton fields and dairy cows) and protected as a National Wildlife Preserve. 
The pup fish are only about 2 inches long.  

Death Valley

Rumor has it that I am behind in my blogging. I will try to catch up, no promises, I do have my priorities.  Going back to Death Valley, I had already forgotten how rugged it is.  These images were taken on a one way tourist loop road called Artists Palette.  I don't think we are finished with Death Valley.  We may revisit on this trip depending on the predicted bloom.  We have already planted the seed of an idea for returning next christmas break. Matt says he's in.