Golden Oasis

Sounds more like a Las Vegas casino than a nature shot but I think it fits this scene pretty well. Driving through southern Utah, along state highway 12, one can easily get the impression that the landscape is that of a dry desert wasteland, though they are likely to be struck by it's stark, sculpted beauty at the same time. Well such a traveler wouldn't be far from wrong. This is definitely desert county and as such it is pretty dry. It's certainly not a wasteland though. Not if you can appreciate the veritable feast of visual wonder that seems hidden around every corner for the traveler willing to slow down and take a look. And occasionally, just occasionally one may come upon an oasis, such as Lower Calf Creek Falls near Escalante. Here Calf Creek plunges 127 feet to the sandy pool below, bringing water to the surrounding trees and providing a shady respite for the desert traveler. Canon EOS3, 28-105mm, Velvia, polarizer