Description:
Oregon, north central, last rays of sun on the colorful Painted Hills in the John Day National Monument
The red streaks are from iron minerals that have been oxidized by long exposure to the atmosphere. The golden layers are a mix of oxidized magnesium and iron. The painterly black marks are rich with manganese and each of these colors represent a different geological process. Volcanic layers were deposited 33 million years ago and soil formation processes affected each layer differently. Clays were formed and over time deeply buried thus harding to stone. Underground forces lifted and faulted the strata and created the interrupted symmetry now observed. Each new rain creates another colorful sculpture as the minerals are spread down the hillsides. Plant and animal fossils reveal a very different eco system that thrived here 30 million years ago. Countless fossilized leaves portray numerous exotic plants among a forest now long gone due to climatic and environmental change. Odd shaped animal fossils demonstrate different eras with major shifts in temperature and humidity.
Currently this near desert environment personifies art in nature.
Comments
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Blair Wainman
Turner Valley, AB - Canada
Fabulous tones and textures of this fascinating area of Oregon!! Great capture!!
Lenore Senior
Pueblo, CO - United States
This is a CLASSIC ... great work of art. Instant fave....
Theresa Tahara
Kamloops, BC - Canada
Fantastic image, Leland. ;)
Glenn McCarthy Art and Photography
Hemet, CA - United States
Beautiful Image. As barren as the place is... it looks very much alive!
Jaci Jaxx
Colorado Springs, CO - United States
how much i appreciate and beautiful the capture and story. i know well. so much dissapearing turqoise is mined out in most places. yes rockhounder when can and made much jewelry at one time. friend wyoming shared of knuckle bone turqoise gone almost that ten years plus. yet i wear heart shape from what you describe well. i collect all, amber which one would not know. sorry long this share. just stunning this is....
Sean Cupp
Glen Allen, VA - United States
Very beautiful shot. Sean.
Cheung KING MAN
Hong Kong, HO - China
Hi Leland , Very beautiful image , fantastic light hues and wonderful colour tones . So fascinated textures of the volcanic layers , great shot and great eyes ! God bless you and yours.
Kathy Mere
Lafayette, LA - United States
Beautiful photo!!
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