by Christian Williams
Rainfall and below-freezing night time temperatures bring wonderful ice flows and icicles to the waterfalls of Zion.
Day 65: November, 29 2004 - Moon Over Zion
by Christian Williams
One of the great sights of Zion is when you are coming down the switchbacks from east Zion into the main canyon and you see this magnificent wall of mountains, West Temple, Towers of the Virgin, and the Altar of Sacrifice. This scene was especially great today as the full moon from the night before was setting behind these cliffs. I used my 500mm lens, to get a great close-up of these iconic peaks, which had the effect of enlarging the moon against the backdrop of the mountains.
One of the great sights of Zion is when you are coming down the switchbacks from east Zion into the main canyon and you see this magnificent wall of mountains, West Temple, Towers of the Virgin, and the Altar of Sacrifice. This scene was especially great today as the full moon from the night before was setting behind these cliffs. I used my 500mm lens, to get a great close-up of these iconic peaks, which had the effect of enlarging the moon against the backdrop of the mountains.
Day 64: November, 28 2004 - Icicle Flower
by Karen Williams
How in the world did this happen? Snow from several days earlier had melted and as temperatures dropped below freezing overnight the water run-off froze. What is strange is how the "ice stalagmite" formed around this dry flower.
How in the world did this happen? Snow from several days earlier had melted and as temperatures dropped below freezing overnight the water run-off froze. What is strange is how the "ice stalagmite" formed around this dry flower.
Day 63: November 27, 2004 - Little Plants and Big Views
by Karen Williams
While hiking through a canyon, we came across a rock wall covered in different wall climbing plants and moss. This photo taken with my macro lens, is of a tiny variety of moss that had a unique variety of textures.
At the end of the canyon, we scrambled up to a rocky ledge and were rewarded with this magnificent view of East Zion.
Day 62: November 26, 2004 - Mount Spry & Bridge Mountain
by Christian Williams
The wide open valley in main canyon offers a great pespective on the magnificent towers and peaks of Zion National Park. The two large bolders in the foreground, with a juniper tree sandwiched in the middle bring to my mind the phrase "stuck between a rock and a hard place".
The wide open valley in main canyon offers a great pespective on the magnificent towers and peaks of Zion National Park. The two large bolders in the foreground, with a juniper tree sandwiched in the middle bring to my mind the phrase "stuck between a rock and a hard place".
Day 61: November 25, 2004 - Sunset Silhouettes
by Christian Williams
While out hiking with my family, I took a series of photos with silhouettes of different family members with the beautiful backdrop of the glowing mountains of Zion as the afternoon grew late.
While out hiking with my family, I took a series of photos with silhouettes of different family members with the beautiful backdrop of the glowing mountains of Zion as the afternoon grew late.
Day 60: November 24, 2004 - Colors in the Rocks
by Karen Williams
While hiking next to the Virgin River I noticed this pile of little rocks. These smooth, colorful stones line the shores of the Virgin River and when the water level is high enough fill the air with a roaring clacking sound as the water tumbles the rocks into one another.
Day 59: November 23, 2004 - Break in the Clouds
by Christian Williams
This morning was foggy and cloudy in the park, which is always interesting weather for pictures. As I set up to take this photo, the clouds broke, revealing the brilliant blue sky, and providing excellent light on the West Temple and Altar of Sacrifice in the background.
This morning was foggy and cloudy in the park, which is always interesting weather for pictures. As I set up to take this photo, the clouds broke, revealing the brilliant blue sky, and providing excellent light on the West Temple and Altar of Sacrifice in the background.
Day 58: November 22, 2004 - White Cliffs in Winter
by Christian Williams
The start of the winter season, with occaisonal snow, brings a new feel to the landscape in Zion.
The start of the winter season, with occaisonal snow, brings a new feel to the landscape in Zion.
Day 57: November 21, 2004 - Snow on Fall Leaves
by Christian Williams
As we hiked through the untouched snow, with the snowflakes still swirling in the air around us, this golden tree stood out from a landscape completely covered in white. The last of the fall leaves, still bright and clinging to their tree, amidst the falling snow.
Day 56: November 20, 2004 - Wallflowers
by Karen Williams
We hiked through a narrow canyon, and I was fascinated by these little plants that grew in long vines all over the canyon walls. Instead of merely dying off in the winter, they first changed into a variety of soft colors.
Day 55: November 19, 2004 - Reflections
by Christian Williams
While hiking through a wash, I came to this perfectly still pool of clear water. The sky and glowing mountain above were reflected perfectly on the glass-like surface.
While hiking through a wash, I came to this perfectly still pool of clear water. The sky and glowing mountain above were reflected perfectly on the glass-like surface.
Day 54: November 18, 2004 - Wavy Rock
by Christian Williams
The late afternoon sun bathed the rocks in warm light, showing nice depth in the curves in the rock.
by Christian Williams
This closeup shows the interesting lines and patterns to be found in the rocks of Zion.
Day 53: November 17, 2004 - Frosty Plant
Day 52: November 16, 2009 - Early Morning Doe
by Christian Williams
I cam to Zion early in the morning, and decided to hike around in the main canyon. It is always peaceful to be in Zion early, to enjoy the quiet and watch as the sun begins to light the cliffs.
by Christian Williams
As I was hiking, I can across a doe in a meadow. She looked soft and sweet in the early morning light.
Day 50: November 14, 2004 - Juniper Berries
by Karen Williams
Juniper trees hold a special place in my heart. These beautiful trees cover the landscape in Zion and thrive in the midst of high heat and freezing snows. I also enjoy the fact that for some reason, many native Southern Utahns refer to Juniper Trees as Cedar Trees, even though I've never seen a Cedar Tree in Utah.
Day 49: November 13, 2004 - Uncommon Beauty
by Karen Williams
Zion is filled with all kinds of uncommon beauty, both large and especially small.
Day 48: November 12, 2004 - Cryptobiotic Crust
by Karen Williams
Some canyons of Zion National Park are domated by a living soil called Cryptobiotic Crust, which contains lichen and mosses, and bacteria. This crust provides a stable foundation for plants and mosses to grow, which otherwise would have difficuly enduring the winds and rainstorms in the shifting sand. The soil is very delicate and a single foot print can damage it. If you're hiking and come across this soil, walk around it!
Day 47: November 11, 2004 - Zion Sunset
by Karen Williams
The sign which marks the entrance to Zion National Park in East Zion is a favorite of tourists. It's impossible to drive by it without seeing someone taking a picture of loved ones in front of this sign. In some respects, it's strange that people would prefer to take pictures of themselves in front of a sign advertising Zion, instead of the beautiful park itself. But as the sun was setting after another rainy day, I too was drawn to the Zion sign.
Day 46: November 10, 2004 - West Temple
by Christian Williams
The tall canyon walls in Zion National Park frequently block out the sun. I was drawn to this cluster of trees in the shadowed foreground, several times the height of any man, which were dwarfed by the massive canyon walls of the West Temple.
The tall canyon walls in Zion National Park frequently block out the sun. I was drawn to this cluster of trees in the shadowed foreground, several times the height of any man, which were dwarfed by the massive canyon walls of the West Temple.
Day 45: November 9, 2004 - Winding Road into the Storm
by Christian Williams
The eastern side of Zion National Park is one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the world as Highway 9 twists and turns around the Navajo Sandstone canyons . The afternoon I took this photo it was dark and cloudy. I love the way Hwy 9 stretches forth and suddenly disappears into the mists of the oncoming storm.
Day 44: November 8, 2004 - Emerald Falls

by Christian Williams
The rainy season in Zion National Park continued. Emerald Pools in the main canyon, which is often just a trickle or even completely dry in summer time was now a full-blown waterfall. As I hiked along the trail, which takes you underneath and back across the top of the lower Emerald Pools falls, I really liked the juxtaposition of this stone staircase, with the waterfall flowing in the background. The rain was still pouring down, which made keeping the lens dry for a 20 second long exposure somewhat tricky.
Day 43: November 7, 2004 - Raindrops
by Christian Williams
It had just stopped raining while we were hiking in East Zion and came across these leaves devoid of all color and still clinging to their branches. The leaves were covered in perfect water droplets.
by Christian Williams
We couldn't decide which was better, the landscape or the portrait photo?
Day 42: November 6, 2004 - Three Peaks
by Christian Williams
I love Zion in the morning, and often choose to hike early in the day. This is one of my favorite areas to hike in Zion. This morning I was struck by the dramatic lines created by the bright sun cutting across the shadows.
Day 41: November 5, 2004 - The Garden of Eden
by Christian Williams
We spent the afternoon walking along the Virgin River, and came across this beautiful scene that looks like the Garden of Eden. Beautiful green, rushing river, blue skies, paradise.
by Karen Williams
While Chris was busy photographing the lovely scenery, I sat by the river enjoying the plantlife growing all around me. I know, it looks like a weed - but the whimsical nature of the seeds blowing off the plant in the breeze reminds me of the beauty I found in nature as a child. Soft, small, magical.
by Karen Williams
Chris looks kind of like a beaver as he leans closer to inspect this beaver-knawed tree. Beavers are rarely seen in Zion, as they are mostly active at night, but signs of beavers can be seen near the Virgin River.
Day 40: November 4, 2004 - Pink Skies
by Christian Williams
This day began with a vibrant pink sky, which cast a warm glow on the towering rocks of Zion.
Day 39: November 3, 2004 - Sharp Rock
by Christian Williams
I was coming back from a short hike, when I noticed this otherwise unremarkable rock sparkling in the early morning sunshine. I was drawn by the stark contrast of dark shadows against the glistening minerals and sharp edges of the rock.
Day 38: November 2, 2004 - Sunset on the Mountain
by Christian Williams
I was taking a long exposure as the sun set on this white mountain in Zion, and a car drove through the scene, leaving a trail of golden light.
Day 37: November 1, 2004 - Petroglyphs

by Karen Williams
Ancient petroglyphs are scattered throughout Zion National Park, but are not very well publicized to prevent damage. This photograph is from a large group of petroglyphs, which are thought to be carved by Anasazi almost 2000 years ago. The carving also proves that bighorn sheep, which were reintroduced to the park in 1970s, are indigenous to Zion. Petroglyphs differ from pictographs in that petroglyphs are carved, while pictographs are painted.
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