Jeff Goulden Southwest Usa Pictures, Images and Stock Photos

Sixty million years ago the west side of Bright Angel Fault was lifted higher than the east side, creating the canyon that we now see. The exposed walls of Bright Angel Canyon allow us to see the geological history of the area. Tropical seas, coastal beaches, sand dunes, swamps, lagoons, and Sahara-like deserts are represented by the horizontal layers that are exposed. The upper five layers of stacked rock records 70 million years of rising and falling sea levels. The limestone layers represent shallow sea environments, sandstone layers mean sandy beaches or dunes, while shale layers translate to mud flats, swamps, or coastal plains. This picture of Bright Angel Canyon was taken at sunrise from Bright Angel Point on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA.

This young woman and her dog are hiking on Humphreys Peak in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The USA-Mexico Border Fence separates people in Naco, Arizona, USA from their neighbors and family in Naco, Sonora, Mexico.

The San Francisco Peaks are the remnants of an ancient volcano that erupted millions of years ago, shattering a large mountain and leaving a large crater and surrounding peaks. The tallest of these are Humphreys at 12,637 feet and Agassiz at 12,356 feet. This picture of the snow-capped peaks reflected in a pond was taken from Kachina Wetlands in Kachina Village, Arizona, USA.

A dirt road leads toward Merrick Butte at Monument Valley Tribal Park in Arizona, USA.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA - May 17, 2011: The American flag flies in front of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center at Mather Point.

The Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) gets its name from the way the leaves quake in the wind. The aspens grow in large colonies, often starting from a single seedling and spreading underground only to sprout another tree nearby. For this reason, it is considered to be one of the largest single organisms in nature. During the spring and summer, the aspens use sunlight and chlorophyll to create food necessary for the tree’s growth. In the fall, as the days get shorter and colder, the naturally green chlorophyll breaks down and the leaves stop producing food. Other pigments are now visible, causing the leaves to take on beautiful orange and gold colors. These colors can vary from year to year depending on weather conditions. For instance, when autumn is warm and rainy, the leaves are less colorful. This fall scene of gold colored aspens was photographed by the Inner Basin Trail in Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

Sitgreaves Pass, at 3586 feet above sea level, is where the historic Beale's Wagon Road crossed the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona, USA. When Edward Fitzgerald Beale built his wagon road over the pass, he named it John Howells Pass for one of the men in his expedition of October, 1857. Subsequently, the pass was named for Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves who led the 1851 Expedition Down the Zuni and Colorado Rivers. Years later the pass was used for the famous Route 66 between Los Angeles and Chicago. The narrow two lane highway is still in use today. In the early spring, the area around Sitgreaves Pass is dominated by wild California Poppies which fill the meadows with a dense carpet of orange.

Badlands are a particular type of rock formation found in arid regions around the world. These formations require poorly consolidated rock and infrequent but torrential rain. The soft rock allows large quantities of water to channel down gullies, carrying away sediment. Bentonite clay within these formations can swell up with moisture. As the clay dries it shrinks and cracks, creating a surface resembling the skin of an elephant. Beneath the surface, an intricate maze of natural pipes and spaces form within the badlands. This hidden plumbing appears on the face of the badlands as dimples, sinks, slumps and seeps. As erosion continues, new features including caves and natural bridges can form. Badlands often take on varied colors giving the formations a banded appearance. These colorful badland formations were at Blue Mesa in Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona, USA.

Cottonwood trees turn color in the Autumn along the San Pedro River. The San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area is near Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA.

The historic Bell Trail was built in the rugged canyon of Wet Beaver Creek in 1932. Wet Beaver Creek is in Yavapai County near Camp Verde, Arizona, USA. Rancher Charles Bell needed the trail to move his cattle up and down the Mogollon Rim. Today, the Bell Trail is used mainly for recreational purposes. The "Crack" on Wet Beaver Creek is a fault in the sandstone that has become a popular hiking destination and swimming hole.

Sixty million years ago the west side of Bright Angel Fault was lifted higher than the east side, creating the canyon that we now see. The exposed walls of Bright Angel Canyon allow us to see the geological history of the area. Tropical seas, coastal beaches, sand dunes, swamps, lagoons, and Sahara-like deserts are represented by the horizontal layers that are exposed. The upper five layers of stacked rock records 70 million years of rising and falling sea levels. The limestone layers represent shallow sea environments, sandstone layers mean sandy beaches or dunes, while shale layers translate to mud flats, swamps, or coastal plains. This picture of Bright Angel Canyon was taken at sunrise from Bright Angel Point on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA.

The majestic Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national symbol of the United States. It is mostly found in the lowland areas near bodies of water. It feeds mostly on fish including spawned out salmon in rivers as well as water birds, geese, carrion and other prey. This eagle was photographed while perched in a dead tree on Campbell Mesa near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

This mountain bike was photographed in a meadow on Observatory Mesa. The San Francisco Peaks are in the background. Observatory Mesa is in the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

Petrified wood is formed when dead trees are buried by layers of sediment. The logs soak up groundwater and silica from volcanic ash and over time are crystallized into quartz. Different minerals create the colors seen in the logs. These petrified logs are at the Rainbow Forest in Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona, USA.

The Gunnison's Prairie Dog (Cynomys gunnisoni) is a rodent and member of the squirrel family. They are primarily distributed in the Four Corners region of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Their coats are light brown mixed with black-colored hairs. The top of the head, cheeks, and eyebrows are darker than the rest of the body. The tail is mostly white. The prairie dog’s eyes are on the sides of the head to give them wide peripheral vision to more easily spot predators. The Gunnison's prairie dog typically feeds during the day on grasses, herbs, and leaves. In the spring, they feed on newly grown shrubs. In the summer they mainly consume seeds. Prairie dog habitat includes meadows, grasslands, high desert and floodplains. They are often found in areas of rabbitbrush, sagebrush, and saltbrush. Gunnison's prairie dogs live in large colonies of up to several hundred. They are more active in the early morning and late afternoon especially during hot weather. When the temperatures are cooler, they become more active throughout the day. When it rains or snows, the prairie dog will spend its time underground. When they are above ground, they feed, make social contact, look out for predators, groom and dig their burrows. During the winter, the Gunnison's prairie dog hibernates for long periods of time without food or water, instead relying on stored fat and physiological adaptations to slow their metabolism. After hibernation, they become active from April through October. The Gunnison's prairie dog has a complex system of vocal communication. Their bark is a combination of high-pitched syllables to identify various predators. They also have different sounds for an "all-clear" signal. There may be up to 11 distinct warning calls used by the prairie dog. This Gunnison’s prairie dog was photographed in a prairie dog colony by Walnut Canyon Lakes in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The Verde Valley (Spanish: Valle Verde or Green Valley) is a lush valley in central Arizona and one of a few riparian habitats in the state. The Verde River runs through the valley and is joined by Oak Creek, Beaver Creek and West Clear Creek. The Verde River is one of the state’s remaining free-flowing river systems and provides critical habitat for fish and wildlife. The valley is bounded by the Mogollon Rim to the north and Mingus Mountain to the south. The Verde Valley includes about 714 square miles in the center of Arizona and is about 100 miles north of the Phoenix metropolitan area. The valley is also noted for its many red rock formations. This fall colored scene of the Verde Valley, Mogollon Rim and Cathedral Rocks was photographed from the Eagle’s Nest Trail near Oak Creek in Red Rock State Park near Sedona, Arizona, USA.

The North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is the second largest rodent in North America, after the North American Beaver (Castor canadensis). The porcupine is distinguished by its coat of about 30,000 quills that covers all of its body except underbelly, face and feet. The quills are sharp, barbed and hollow hairs that are used primarily for defense and insulation. When used for defense, the quills can lodge in the flesh of a victim and are difficult and painful to remove. The porcupine’s summer diet includes twigs, roots, stems, berries, and other vegetation. In the winter, they mainly eat conifer needles and tree bark. Porcupines are a slow-moving creature with poor distance vision. They are nocturnal, spending their days resting in trees. The porcupine does not hibernate in winter, preferring to stay close and sleep in their dens. This porcupine was photographed in the woods near Williams, Arizona, USA.

The Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) is a North American species of large crane. It also inhabits the northeastern part of Siberia. The name of this bird comes from a habitat like that of the Nebraska Sandhills on the American Plains. These sandhill cranes were photographed at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area where as many as 30,000 cranes spend the winter. The Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area is near McNeal, Arizona, USA.

The North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is the second largest rodent in North America, after the North American Beaver (Castor canadensis). The porcupine is distinguished by its coat of about 30,000 quills that covers all of its body except underbelly, face and feet. The quills are sharp, barbed and hollow hairs that are used primarily for defense and insulation. When used for defense, the quills can lodge in the flesh of a victim and are difficult and painful to remove. The porcupine’s summer diet includes twigs, roots, stems, berries, and other vegetation. In the winter, they mainly eat conifer needles and tree bark. Porcupines are a slow-moving creature with poor distance vision. They are nocturnal, spending their days resting in trees. The porcupine does not hibernate in winter, preferring to stay close and sleep in their dens. This porcupine was photographed in the woods near Williams, Arizona, USA.

Monument Valley is on the Arizona/Utah border near Oljato, Utah, USA. The valley with its strange sandstone formations is the epitome of the Old West. This iconic view was taken at sunset, capturing the other-worldly glow on the red rock.

The Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) may be the most familiar North American butterfly. They range from southern Canada to South America. Adults make massive migrations from August to October, flying thousands of miles south to hibernate along the California coast and Central Mexico. Their favorite nectar sources include the Asters, Coneflowers and Milkweeds. This butterfly was photographed while perched on a Purple Coneflower in the Flagstaff, Arizona, USA arboretum.

The Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) is a Western North America subspecies of elk found in the Rocky Mountains and adjacent ranges. In the winter, elk are mostly found in lower elevation open forests and floodplain marshes. In the summer the elk migrates to the alpine meadows and subalpine forests. Elk can reside in a diverse range of habitats but are most often found in forests and forest edges. In mountainous regions they often stay at lower elevations in the winter and migrate to higher elevations during the warmer months. This herd of elk was photographed while grazing in a meadow on Campbell Mesa near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The Arizona Meteor Crater (Barringer Meteorite Crater) formed 50,000 years ago when an asteroid plunged through the Earth’s atmosphere and crashed into what is now central Arizona. This area was not populated by humans at the time. Because of Arizona’s dry climate and the crater’s relatively young age, Meteor Crater is the best preserved impact crater on Earth. The small asteroid was just 150 feet across. Traveling at around 8 miles per second the force of the impact was tremendous. In just a few seconds the crater was formed when millions of tons of rock were thrown out. Today Meteor Crater is a famous tourist attraction with a museum featuring displays about the history of the crater. Scientist from all over the world come to Meteor Crater to study it. Meteor Crater is near Winslow, Arizona, USA.

The Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is one of the iconic plants of the Sonoran Desert in Southern Arizona and Western Sonora, Mexico. These plants are large cacti that develop branches as they grow and mature. The branches generally bend upward but not always. The fluted trunks and branches of the saguaro are covered with protective spines. In the late spring the plant develops white flowers and red fruit forms in the summer. Saguaros are found only in the Sonoran Desert. To thrive they need water and the correct temperature. At higher elevations, the cold weather and frost can kill the saguaro. The Sonoran Desert experiences monsoon rains during July and August. This is when the saguaro obtains the moisture it needs to survive and thrive. These saguaro cacti were found in Catalina State Park near Tucson, Arizona, USA.

The Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) gets its name from the way the leaves quake in the wind. The aspens grow in large colonies, often starting from a single seedling and spreading underground only to sprout another tree nearby. For this reason, it is considered to be one of the largest single organisms in nature. During the spring and summer, the aspens use sunlight and chlorophyll to create food necessary for the tree’s growth. In the fall, as the days get shorter and colder, the naturally green chlorophyll breaks down and the leaves stop producing food. Other pigments are now visible, causing the leaves to take on beautiful orange and gold colors. These colors can vary from year to year depending on weather conditions. For instance, when autumn is warm and rainy, the leaves are less colorful. This woman hiker was walking through a fall scene of gold colored aspens on the Arizona Trail at Bismarck Lake in the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA - January 1, 2013: A young woman, standing in the snow, is photographing the Grand Canyon with a smart phone. This picture was taken from Yavapai Point in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA.

Sitgreaves Pass, at 3586 feet above sea level, is where the historic Beale's Wagon Road crossed the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona, USA. When Edward Fitzgerald Beale built his wagon road over the pass, he named it John Howells Pass for one of the men in his expedition of October, 1857. Subsequently, the pass was named for Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves who led the 1851 Expedition Down the Zuni and Colorado Rivers. Years later the pass was used for the famous Route 66 between Los Angeles and Chicago. The narrow two lane highway is still in use today. In the early spring, the area around Sitgreaves Pass is dominated by wild California Poppies which fill the meadows with a dense carpet of orange.

The USA-Mexico Border Fence separates people in Nogales, Arizona, USA from their neighbors and family in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.

The American Southwest has some amazing landscapes, especially the rock formations. In the late evening, as the sun sets, the red rocks take on an even more colorful glow. This view of Capitol Butte and the town was taken from Airport Mesa in Sedona, Arizona, USA.

The cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) is the state bird of Arizona. This species of wren is native to the southwestern United States southwards to central Mexico. This wren was photographed perched on a saguaro cactus in the mountains near Tucson, Arizona, USA.

After the Summer Monsoon rains, wildflowers bloom in fields and forests all over Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The Arizona Meteor Crater (Barringer Meteorite Crater) formed 50,000 years ago when an asteroid plunged through the Earth’s atmosphere and crashed into what is now central Arizona. This area was not populated by humans at the time. Because of Arizona’s dry climate and the crater’s relatively young age, Meteor Crater is the best preserved impact crater on Earth. The small asteroid was just 150 feet across. Traveling at around 8 miles per second the force of the impact was tremendous. In just a few seconds the crater was formed when millions of tons of rock were thrown out. Today Meteor Crater is a famous tourist attraction with a museum featuring displays about the history of the crater. Scientist from all over the world come to Meteor Crater to study it. Meteor Crater is near Winslow, Arizona, USA.

Badlands are a particular type of rock formation found in arid regions around the world. These formations require poorly consolidated rock and infrequent but torrential rain. The soft rock allows large quantities of water to channel down gullies, carrying away sediment. Bentonite clay within these formations can swell up with moisture. As the clay dries it shrinks and cracks, creating a surface resembling the skin of an elephant. Beneath the surface, an intricate maze of natural pipes and spaces form within the badlands. This hidden plumbing appears on the face of the badlands as dimples, sinks, slumps and seeps. As erosion continues, new features including caves and natural bridges can form. Badlands often take on varied colors giving the formations a banded appearance. These colorful badland formations were at Blue Mesa in Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona, USA.

In July of 2019 the Museum Fire of Northern Arizona burned 1,961 acres of Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forest. This was caused by a forest-thinning project which was originally undertaken to help prevent devastating wildfires. The fire was started from a piece of heavy equipment striking a rock and sparking the blaze. Nearby neighborhoods were forced to evacuate. According to the National Forest Service, the fire cost $9 million before it was brought under control. This section of burned trees was photographed from the Sunset Trail in the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a common bird, found in most parts of the world. Females and young birds are colored pale brown and grey, and males have bright black, white, and brown markings. The house sparrow is native to most of Europe, the Mediterranean region, and much of Asia. It has been introduced to many parts of the world, including Australia, Africa, and the Americas, making it the most widely distributed wild bird. This male was photographed in Bisbee, Arizona, USA.

The Pond Slider or Red Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a common species of freshwater turtle. Pond sliders have been kept as pets and then people end up releasing them which spreads the population to areas where they are not native. Their life span ranges from 20–50 years. The origin of the name slider comes from the action of these turtles when startled. Groups of sliders will bask on rocks and logs. When they sense danger they will quickly slide into the safety of the water. This red eared slider was photographed basking on a rock at Walnut Canyon Lakes in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The Pond Slider or Red Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a common species of freshwater turtle. Pond sliders have been kept as pets and then people end up releasing them which spreads the population to areas where they are not native. Their life span ranges from 20–50 years. The origin of the name slider comes from the action of these turtles when startled. Groups of sliders will bask on rocks and logs. When they sense danger they will quickly slide into the safety of the water. This red eared slider was photographed basking on a rock at Walnut Canyon Lakes in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

Page, Arizona, USA - May 09, 2011: The Colorado River provides some incredible natural vistas along its length. One of the more unusual vistas is at Horseshoe Bend. The name was inspired by its unusual shape, a horseshoe-shaped meander of the river. Horseshoe Bend, located about four miles southwest of Page, Arizona, USA within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has become a very popular tourist attraction. In this picture, a senior man is standing on the steep cliff overlooking the river.

The American Southwest has some amazing landscapes, especially the colorful rock formations. The background of blue sky and puffy clouds adds color, depth and contrast to the scene. This view of rock formations is in Monument Valley Tribal Park in Arizona, USA.

The Fremont’s Cottonwood (Populus fremontii) is a poplar tree native to the American Southwest and south through central Mexico. The tree was named after John C. Fremont, the 19th century American explorer. The riparian tree grows near streams, rivers, springs and wetlands below 6,600 ft elevation. This scene of a Fremont Cottonwood with its fall foliage was photographed from the Kisva Trail by Oak Creek in Red Rock State Park near Sedona, Arizona, USA.

The White-Faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) is a medium-sized wading bird whose breeding range includes the western United States south through Mexico, southeastern Brazil and Bolivia south to central Argentina and the coast of Chile. The winter range extends from southern California and Louisiana south to include the rest of their breeding range. This species breeds in colonies around saltwater and freshwater marshes, usually nesting in bulrushes, cattails, bushes or low trees. The nest is built from reeds. Its breeding range extends from the western United States south through Mexico, as well as from southeastern Brazil and southeastern Bolivia south to central Argentina, and along the coast of central Chile. The white-faced ibis is an overall iridescent bronze-brown color. There is a thin band of white feathers around its face, thus giving it the name white-faced. The bill is long and downward curving. It has red eyes and long red legs and feet. The curved bill is used to probe for a variety of organisms, including invertebrates such as insects, snails, leeches, crayfish and earthworms. The diet may also include vertebrates such as newts, fish and frogs. This white-faced ibis with its breeding plumage was photographed while standing on the bank of Walnut Canyon Lakes in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The Rock Squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus) is fairly large ground squirrel but can also be seen climbing boulders, rocks and trees. It is typically 17-21 inches long, with a bushy tail up to 8 inches long. Rock squirrels are grayish-brown, with some patches of cinnamon color. They have a light-colored ring around their eyes and pointed ears that project well above their heads. In the northern reach of their habitat, rock squirrels hibernate during the colder months of the year. In southern areas, rock squirrels may not hibernate at all. The diet of the rock squirrel is predominantly herbivorous, consisting mostly of leaves, stems and seeds. They may also eat some insects and other small animals. Because of high human visitation, rock squirrels have become the most dangerous animals at the national parks of the American Southwest. Rock squirrels attack more tourists at the Grand Canyon than any other wild animal. Attacks have become so common that park rangers have begun warning tourists about the dangers. This rock squirrel was photographed at Yavapai Point in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA.

The American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is a migratory songbird of the thrush family. It is named after the European Robin because of the male's reddish-orange breast, though the two species are not closely related. Robins do not frequent bird feeders because their diet consists of meat and fruit. They are frequently seen tugging earthworms out of the ground. This male robin was photographed while hunting for eathworms near Walnut Canyon Lakes in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The Rock Squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus) is fairly large ground squirrel but can also be seen climbing boulders, rocks and trees. It is typically 17-21 inches long, with a bushy tail up to 8 inches long. Rock squirrels are grayish-brown, with some patches of cinnamon color. They have a light-colored ring around their eyes and pointed ears that project well above their heads. In the northern reach of their habitat, rock squirrels hibernate during the colder months of the year. In southern areas, rock squirrels may not hibernate at all. The diet of the rock squirrel is predominantly herbivorous, consisting mostly of leaves, stems and seeds. They may also eat some insects and other small animals. Because of high human visitation, rock squirrels have become the most dangerous animals at the national parks of the American Southwest. Rock squirrels attack more tourists at the Grand Canyon than any other wild animal. Attacks have become so common that park rangers have begun warning tourists about the dangers. This rock squirrel was photographed at Yavapai Point in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA.

The Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) is a large diving duck that lives in rivers, lakes and saltwater in the forested areas of Europe, northern and central Asia, and North America. It has a serrated bill that helps it grip its prey which are mostly fish. In addition, it eats mollusks, crustaceans, worms and larvae. The common merganser builds its nest in tree cavities. The species is a permanent resident where the waters remain open in winter and migrates away from areas where the water freezes. This female common merganser in breeding plumage was photographed while swimming at Walnut Canyon Lakes in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River. It is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and attains a depth of over a mile. The canyon and adjacent north and south rims are contained within Grand Canyon National Park, the Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, the Hualapai Indian Reservation, the Havasupai Indian Reservation and the Navajo Nation. In the Grand Canyon the carving of the Colorado River has exposed nearly two billion years of the earth's geological history and created some stunning scenery. This scene was photographed from Powell Point in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA.

Sunset Crater is one of nearly 600 volcanoes in the San Francisco Volcanic Field. It is the youngest volcano in the area, forming around 1,000 years ago. This 1,000-foot-high cinder cone formed when basalt magma rose directly to the surface through a primary vent. Gas pressure in the volcano produced a fountain of lava about 850 feet high. The lava was blown into pieces, which cooled in flight and piled into a cone-shaped hill. Sunset Crater was a short-lived volcano, lasting only months or a couple of years at the most. When famed explorer John Wesley Powell explored the San Francisco Volcanic Field in 1885 he wrote, "The contrast in the colors is so great that on viewing the mountain from a distance the red cinders seem to be on fire." His "Sunset" mountain became known officially as Sunset Crater. This view of Sunset Crater was photographed from Bonito Park, next to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, in the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) may be one of the most abundant ducks in the world. It frequents marshes, wooded swamps, grain fields, ponds, rivers, lakes and bays. The mallard may be found in any kind of aquatic habitat, but favors fresh water. Its diet is omnivorous. The mallard forages in water by dabbling, submerging head and neck, up-ending. On land it grazes, plucking seeds and grubbing for roots. This male mallard was resting in the snow at Walnut Canyon Lakes in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

Monument Valley, on the Arizona - Utah border, gives us some of the most iconic and enduring images of the American Southwest. The harsh empty desert is punctuated by many colorful sandstone rock formations. It can be a photographer's dream to capture the ever-changing play of light on the buttes and mesas. Even to the first-time visitor, Monument Valley will probably seem very familiar. This rugged landscape has achieved fame in the movies, advertising and brochures. It has been filmed and photographed countless times over the years. If a movie producer was looking for a landscape that epitomizes the Old West, a better location could not be found. This picture of the Three Sisters and Mitchell Mesa was photographed from the Monument Valley Road north of Kayenta, Arizona, USA.

The Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), also known as the buzzard, is the most widespread of the North and South American vultures. Its common name comes from a bald red head and dark plumage which resembles that of a male wild turkey. The range of the turkey vulture is from southern Canada to the tip of South America. It inhabits a variety of habitats including forests, shrublands, pastures and deserts. The turkey vulture is a scavenger with a keen sense of smell and eyesight which enables it to find dead and decaying animals (carrion), its main source of food. In flight, they rely on thermals and need to flap their wings infrequently. The turkey vulture roosts in large communal groups and nests in hollow trees, caves and thickets. They usually raise two chicks a year which they feed through regurgitation. This turkey vulture was photographed while perched in a tree on Campbell Mesa in the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), is a medium-sized American songbird in the cardinal family. Adult males are bright yellow with black wings and a flaming orange-red head. The plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family. This western tanager was photographed while perched on a branch at Campbell Mesa in the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

In 1923, Flagstaff photographer Carl Mayhew purchased a cabin and property on the banks of West Fork of Oak Creek. Mayhew added on to the cabin and in 1926 opened Mayhew Lodge for guests. The resort gained a national and international reputation and had many famous guests including President Herbert Hoover, Jimmy Stewart, Walt Disney and Clark Gable. The Mayhew family operated the lodge through 1968. In 1975 the lodge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Unfortunately, the lodge was destroyed by fire in 1980 and was delisted. Mayhew Lodge is in Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona, Arizona, USA.

The Santa Catalina Mountains formed about 20 million years ago when tremendous heat and pressure from volcanoes caused this flat land to buckle and arch. This photograph of Sutherland Wash and the Santa Catalina Mountains was taken at Catalina State Park near Oro Valley, Arizona, USA.

The Santa Catalina Mountains formed about 20 million years ago when tremendous heat and pressure from volcanoes caused this flat land to buckle and arch. This photograph of Sutherland Wash and the Santa Catalina Mountains was taken at Catalina State Park near Oro Valley, Arizona, USA.

The Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) may be the most familiar North American butterfly. They range from southern Canada to South America. Adults make massive migrations from August to October, flying thousands of miles south to hibernate along the California coast and Central Mexico. Their favorite nectar sources include the Asters, Coneflowers and Milkweeds. This butterfly was photographed while perched on a Purple Coneflower in the Flagstaff, Arizona, USA arboretum.

The Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) is a large diving duck that lives in rivers, lakes and saltwater in the forested areas of Europe, northern and central Asia, and North America. It has a serrated bill that helps it grip its prey which are mostly fish. In addition, it eats mollusks, crustaceans, worms and larvae. The common merganser builds its nest in tree cavities. The species is a permanent resident where the waters remain open in winter and migrates away from areas where the water freezes. This female common merganser in non-breeding plumage was photographed while standing on the bank of Walnut Canyon Lakes in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The American Coot (Fulica americana), also known as a mud hen, is commonly mistaken for a duck. Unlike ducks, the coot doesn’t have webbed feet or a broad flat bill. Coots live near water, typically inhabiting wetlands and open bodies of water. The American Coot is a migratory bird that occupies most of North America. It lives in the western United States and Mexico year-round. During the summer breeding season, the coot can be found in the northeast United States. Coots may build floating nests and lay up to 12 eggs per clutch. American coots mostly eat algae and other aquatic plants but may eat vertebrates and invertebrate animals when available. This American Coot was photographed while wading in Sinclair Wash in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River. It is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and attains a depth of over a mile. The canyon and adjacent north and south rims are contained within Grand Canyon National Park, the Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, the Hualapai Indian Reservation, the Havasupai Indian Reservation and the Navajo Nation. In the Grand Canyon the carving of the Colorado River has exposed nearly two billion years of the earth's geological history and created some stunning scenery. This scene of O'Neil Butte was photographed from Cedar Ridge in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA.

The coyote (Canis latrans), often mistaken for a domestic dog, inhabits most of North America from eastern Alaska to New England and south into Mexico and Panama. Coyotes are very adaptable to their habitat. In the Sonoran Desert, coyotes can be found in all habitats from desert scrub, grasslands, foothills as well as in populated neighborhoods. In the Sonoran Desert, depending on the season, coyotes will eat just about anything, including cactus fruit, mesquite beans, flowers, insects, rodents, lizards, rabbits, birds, and snakes. When hunting small animals, coyotes will hunt alone, stalking their prey and then pouncing. For larger animals, like deer, they will hunt in small packs and work together to kill the prey. This coyote was photographed in Tucson Mountain Park near Tucson, Arizona, USA.