a moment during a fireworks display that reminded me of palm trees.

Banyan forest growing in swampland

I was hiking to the Paria wilderness in Arizona and parked my car in southern Utah, as far as the nearest dirt road would take me. On my way to the Arizona border (located at the "V" on the far left), I passed by a grouping of vermillion striped mounds that reminded me of a dessert of some sort. Perhaps it was just the heat and my desire for something cold to eat.

After the boiling hot mineral water oozes up from the earth, it eventually starts to cool and the mineral elements fall out of suspension. Since the edges are cooler than the middle, the sediment builds up a little perimeter wall one grain at a time. Over time, large cascading pools are created as they overflow and puddle to create more.

not a bad place to stop for a rest...

I was spending some time in one of my favorite woods, and this time decided to strictly look upwards. For hours, I wandered about with a kink in my neck and tripping over the underbrush, until I came across this amazing view. I was in a pine woods and this one lone black cherry tree had made its stand. It certainly stood out amongst the group which I had never noticed by just looking horizontally. The surrounding pines appeared to be curious about the unique shape and colour of this tree and gave it just a little extra space all around. My neck was relieved to have found something of such interest; I setup my camera and laid on my back beneath the tripod and shot straight up.

the meter-deep water is covered with a perfect layer of duck weed appearing as a green carpet spreading through this banyan forest.