The Weekly Photo Challenge this week is Structure. I immediately thought of our recent trip to the five national parks in Utah. The structure of the rocks and geological features is complimented by the trees in these parks. Whether dead and twisting, or green and contrasting, the trees are a main character in an interesting landscape.

Arches National Park, Utah
The arches are amazing at Arches National Park and standing dead trees add to the scene. You can see Double Arch in the background.

A fence along the trail in Canyonlands National Park, Utah
I loved these fences made from old juniper wood in Canyonlands National Park. They helped keep people on the trail and were nice to look at too.

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
The rainbow of colors in the cliffs of this canyon in Capitol Reef National Park were complimented by the bright green of the trees. A storm was moving in in this picture.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
A windswept pine tree clings to the edge of a cliff in Bryce Canyon National Park. Puffy white clouds (like in “The Simpsons” cartoons) float gracefully in the background.

Zion National Park
Colorful and tilting structures in the rock, line a tree-filled canyon in Zion National Park. A few wispy clouds hang over the valley.
The national parks in Utah are full of interesting structures both large and small. The geology of the region tells a dramatic story. The trees and other plants living here have adapted to harsh conditions. The wildlife living here takes advantage of the local environment.
Take the time to look up but also to look down when you visit these parks. Each park is a little different from the others and each one has amazing sights worth seeing. The forces of Nature are strong here.
Looks incredible! – been dying to go to Arches National park – now I will have to add a few other parks to the list as well..
Yes, you definitely should! Thanks 😁
Such a wonderful post! Utah is such a beautiful place. I have been to Arches NP and was amazed by the red rock formations. That is where I first fell in love with the desert. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures and experiences.
Thank you! I’m glad you too have a love for the desert.
I was thinking about some of the sandstone patterned rocks in Zion – then saw the same kind of effect in an old tree stump I had seen more recently.
Cool! Nature repeats its patterns in many ways.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephen_rees/36088328464/
That’s beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
These photos take me there! I, too, loved the fence of scrap wood. Lyn
I noticed those fences right away!
Awesome! Especially like the Arches National Park shot! 🙂
Thanks! As you probably know by now, I have a thing for ancient juniper trees.
Great photos. And I’m glad you included the wood-lined pathway. I never looked down the whole time I was in those Utah parks, I don’t think! Here’s my latest post on Bryce: http://wp.me/p2l4j8-2lD
There are so many things to see there, it’s hard to decide where to look! Nice photos of Bryce on your site.
Such a beautiful place, one I look forward to visiting in the near future. Thanks for sharing.
janet
Thanks! I hope you get there to see the many sights soon.
Me, too.
Great structures indeed! Good selection!
Thanks! It was hard to choose from all the pictures I took on that trip.
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Very nice
Thanks! Lots of beautiful sights to see in those parks.
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