The Spirits of our Ancestors

In early May I returned from four days exploring Oregon's John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. This area is best known for the Painted Hills which I visited and photographed, but I also spent a significant amount of time exploring all the different areas of the park on the open trail including the Sheep Rock and Clarno units. I was so surprised to see this rock with a turquoise tint alongside the red rock that is most often featured in images of this area. I had visited this place the day before and the rock were dull in color, but the overnight T storms and rain brought out more vibrant colors when I returned the next day. There are fossils in this rock, and the place seems to silently whisper messages of those who lived here long ago. I think I have fallen in love with this area LOL and will return again and again!

Red RockTurquoise RockSage BrushGolden HourLayersJohn Day Fossil Beds Monument