Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

13th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
The Spirit

It has taken the earth thousands of years of flash floods and rains to carve through the canyons. Located in the middle of a desert 15 miles away from anything, these canyons create a spiritual environment unlike any other. The way the light beams illuminate when you're at the right place at the right time. How the dust is falling in the light almost to form a Kokopelli spirit like figure. All the vibrant colors taking shape on the walls. This is a true example of how destruction creates beauty.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2013
Date Uploaded: 05.2015
Photo Location: Page, Arizona, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Copyright: © John Knopf