Vermillion Cliffs, AZ

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Vermillion Cliffs, AZ

Vermillion Cliffs, AZ

The Vermillon Cliffs of northern Arizona. The vegatation in this area is sparse. Please note the notch in the cliffs, caused by flash-flooding episodes. The meager amount of water that does fall here ends up in the Colorado River. WORD OF CAUTION: I wouldn't RECOMMEND ANYBODY climbing on the CLIFFS pictured in this photo, as the rock HERE is very UNSTABLE; not as RESISTANT as the rock in ZION or SEDONA! This is the southern escarpment of the Paria Plateau, which rises 3,000' above the valley's floor!
lcarreau
on Oct 5, 2007 7:52 pm
Lat/Lon: 36.70366°N / 111.94519°W
Image Type(s): Scenery
Image ID: 344493

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lcarreau

lcarreau - Oct 7, 2007 3:02 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: a grand landscape

Thanks, Lolli. Actually, scenes from several HOLLYWOOD movies were filmed near here ... "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid," "McKenna's Gold," "How the West Was Won;" just to name a few.
Extending north (into Utah) beyond the cliffs, 293,000 acres have now become known as Vermillon Cliffs National Monument. Contrary to the ARID VASTNESS of this area, it does SUPPORT a large herd of desert Bighorn sheep, Pronghorn antelope and one threatened species of plant - Welsh's milkweed.
As far as birds go, 20 species of raptors inhabit this area, including the California condors, which were reintroduced here. AND, of course, Corvus corax or RAVENS are very plentiful thoughout this region. You can usually HEAR them before you see them!
A small community called Cliffdwellers, Arizona lies just down the road from here. A longer ways to the east is Page, Arizona and the Glen Canyon Dam. This massive structure holds back the (ONCE WILD) waters of the Colorado River. Amazing scenery, to say the least! Hope this information was helpful.

lcarreau

lcarreau - Oct 7, 2007 6:22 pm - Hasn't voted

Great question, Lolli!...

BLESS YOUR HEART! As for your question: Did you know how you said that, "My brother Raven dwells in many kinds of landscapes, often together with large raptors."
Beautifully written - I must complement you on your composition. I love it!

Please LOOK at the RAVEN as being indigenous (native) to this region - I MEAN, as if Mr. Raven was a human being. Then, look at the RAPTORS as being a group of people that ARRIVED AFTER the raven was already HERE.

Do you follow? The term "Cliffdwellers" is what the "white race of people" are CALLING the native people - BECAUSE, the Native Americans ONCE lived in alcoves tucked away in the cliffs. PROTECTION was their main strategy; they had several enemies, so took REFUGE in the cliffs of this region - AND all over Arizona & New Mexico, for that matter!
Actually, the town of Cliffdwellers today is pretty much CIVILIZED & modern. People choose not to reside in caves there any more.
It's my fault! If I had stopped to take a photograph of this community, then you would be better versed in it's SIGNIFICANCE.

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