The rebirth of my passion for photography was associated with a trip I took with my son to the American southwest in the early 2000’s. There is something about the southwest that resonates with me from its sandstone colors to the spiritual nature of Native Americans. Of all of the many parks and locations in the southwest, my favorite has always been Monument Valley, The Navajo name for the valley is Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgaii meaning "Valley of the Rocks". Most of the sandstone formations in Monument Valley have very unique names. Two of the more famous sandstone formations in Monument Valley are Yei-Bi-Chei (in the middle of this photo) and the Totem Pole (on the left of this photo).
Yei-Bi-Che was named by the Navajo as it resembles a number of dancers emerging from a Hogan. Navajo men perform the spiritual Yei-Bi-Chei dance during a sacred nine-day ceremony called the "Night Way Ceremony".
It is pretty obvious how the Totem Pole got its name. It is approximately 350-foot in height and is all that remains of a butte that has been eroded over the years. It really illustrates the destructive force of erosion in nature.
This particular perspective of the formations requires the use of a Navajo Guide.