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23 images Created 20 Jun 2019

Coyote Buttes South

Paria Canyon – Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness within Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona is a region of beautiful sandstone formations. The area is divided into two regions: Coyote Buttes North and Coyote Buttes South. The Wave, in Coyote Buttes North, is famous worldwide. The Coyote Buttes South is not as famous but offers a plethora of spectacular sandstone formations that are erosional masterpieces. The area is filled with fins, cones, hoodoos, ridges and ravines. The sandstones are multicolored including reds, pinks, yellows, oranges, and even greens. The colors come from sixteen forms of oxidized iron compounds. The area is large and only twenty permits per day are issued. Consequently, one can roam for long periods of time without seeing or hearing another human. Here is a small sample of the diverse formations to be found in Coyote Buttes South.
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  • "Colors are the smiles of nature." – Leigh Hunt
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  • These cones are near the Cottonwood Cove entrance to Coyote Buttes South.  There are no established trails in the area, so one is free to wander around and experience whatever gets one’s attention.
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  • It rained the night before I went into the area creating this temporary puddle that served as a mirror in the early morning light.
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  • Many cone-like structures are spread throughout the area.  There is a lot of sand between formations and when the wind blows that sand scours the rocks which slowly creates new sculptures.
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  • Some of the rock layers in this formation are soft and susceptible to erosion by wind driven sand.  The harder layers that are more resistant to erosion by wind driven sand stand out as fragile ribs.
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  • The uneven layers in the formation are a result of disturbance before the ancient sand dune was turned to stone.
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  • Blowing sand continues to slowly change the shape of these natural sculptures.
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  • Varied patterns and multiple colors seem to be everywhere one looks.
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  • The crossbedding and subtle colors are responsible for the beautiful patterns of these structures.
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  • Even smooth sandstone walls like this one show a rich variety of patterns due to the various iron oxides that color the rocks.
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  • The control tower is a unique erosional remnant that stands alone.  Sand laden wind is slowly carving it down.
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  • Iron oxides are responsible for the color of the rocks.  It is difficult to imagine how the colors were created so distinctly side by side.
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  • Cones are common in the area.
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  • The thumb.
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  • The Kaleidoscope.
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  • Can you count the number of patterns in this photo?
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  • A world of pastels.
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  • Walking on slickrock is preferable, but the cones and other structures with ribs can be damaged by walking on them.
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  • Puddles after the rain.  They only last for a short period of time, but in that time a number of organisms come to life.
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  • Convoluted.
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  • This wavelike formation glows in the afternoon light.
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  • These curled sandstone structures are reminiscent of the Wave.  Notice the puddle that formed from the rain the night before.
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  • The witches hat.
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