Bryce Canyon Amphitheater is a photograph by Bruce Bley which was uploaded on June 4th, 2013.
Bryce Canyon Amphitheater
Bryce Canyon National Park /ˈbraɪs/ is a national park located in southwestern Utah in the United States. The major feature of the park is... more
by Bruce Bley
Title
Bryce Canyon Amphitheater
Artist
Bruce Bley
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Bryce Canyon National Park /ˈbraɪs/ is a national park located in southwestern Utah in the United States. The major feature of the park is Bryce Canyon, which despite its name, is not a canyon but a collection of giant natural amphitheaters along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos, formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rocks. The red, orange, and white colors of the rocks provide spectacular views for park visitors. Bryce sits at a much higher elevation than nearby Zion National Park. The rim at Bryce varies from 8,000 to 9,000 feet (2,400 to 2,700 m).
The Bryce Canyon area was settled by Mormon pioneers in the 1850s and was named after Ebenezer Bryce, who homesteaded in the area in 1874.[3] The area around Bryce Canyon became a National Monument in 1923 and was designated as a National Park in 1928. The park covers 35,835 acres (55.99 sq mi; 145.02 km2)[1] and receives relatively few visitors compared to Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon, largely due to its remote location.
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southwestern Utah about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of and 1,000 feet (300 m) higher than Zion National Park.[4][5] The weather in Bryce Canyon is therefore cooler, and the park receives more precipitation: a total of 15 to 18 inches (38 to 46 cm) per year.[6][7] Yearly temperatures vary from an average minimum of 9 °F (−13 °C) in January to an average maximum of 83 °F (28 °C) in July, but extreme temperatures can range from −30 °F to 97 °F (−34 °C to 36 °C).[7] The record high temperature in the park was 98 °F (37 °C) on July 14, 2002. The record low temperature was −28 °F (−33 °C) on December 10, 1972.[8]
The national park lies within the Colorado Plateau geographic province of North America and straddles the southeastern edge of the Paunsagunt Plateau west of the Paunsagunt Fault (Paunsagunt is Paiute for "home of the beaver").[9] Park visitors arrive from the plateau part of the park and look over the plateau's edge toward a valley containing the fault and the Paria River just beyond it (Paria is Paiute for "muddy or elk water"). The edge of the Kaiparowits Plateau bounds the opposite side of the valley.
Landscape with red and pink rocks with some snow.
Bryce Point
Bryce Canyon was not formed from erosion initiated from a central stream, meaning it technically is not a canyon. Instead headward erosion has excavated large amphitheater-shaped features in the Cenozoic-aged rocks of the Paunsagunt Plateau.[9] This erosion exposed delicate and colorful pinnacles called hoodoos that are up to 200 feet (61 m) high. A series of amphitheaters extends more than 20 miles (32 km) north-to-south within the park.[9] The largest is Bryce Amphitheater, which is 12 miles (19 km) long, 3 miles (4.8 km) wide and 800 feet (240 m) deep.[9] A nearby example of amphitheaters with hoodoos in the same formation but at a higher elevation, is in Cedar Breaks National Monument, which is 25 miles (40 km) to the west on the Markagunt Plateau.[5]
Rainbow Point, the highest part of the park at 9,105 feet (2,775 m),[10] is at the end of the 18-mile (29 km) scenic drive.[9] From there, Aquarius Plateau, Bryce Amphitheater, the Henry Mountains, the Vermilion Cliffs and the White Cliffs can be seen. Yellow Creek, where it exits the park in the north-east section, is the lowest part of the park at 6,620 feet (2,020 m).[7]
Uploaded
June 4th, 2013
More from Bruce Bley
Comments (8)
Ivelina Aasen
impressive ! v From Blank Greeting Cards- Artist Of The Month "June" discussion.
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you for the kind comment and the honor of being selected Artist Of The Month "June", Ivelina. I sincerely appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
Thank you for the feature in the group "3 A Day Waiting Room ART", Darren. I truly appreciate it. I would also like to thank you for the many hours of work you give our group. I is very appreciated.
Sandi OReilly
Wow, Bruce, this is amazing, excellent capture, f/v.
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you so much, Sandi. It is a beautiful place to visit. I only wish I had more time to catch it at different times during the day. I hear the sunsets are spectacular. Thank you for your vote.
Robert Bales
Congrats for being selected in several groups. I really enjoyed you photo! voted
Bruce Bley replied:
Robert, Thank you for the congrats. I am glad you enjoy my work. I have more to come so please come back. Thank you for your vote.
Dora Sofia Caputo
Awesome image, Bruce! Truly spectacular. F/V.
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you for the kind and gracious compliment, Dora. It is even more spectacular in appearance.
Nadine and Bob Johnston
V & Published this in the Internet Publication ARTIST NEWS, because it is one of my Top Ten out of hundreds images that have checked so far today in our groups, Featured a FAVORITES, just now....
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you so much for the feature and honor to be Published in the Internet Publication ARTIST NEWS", Nadine and Bob/ I truly appreciate the compliment as well.