Fiery Night in Palo Duro

The stars at night are truly big and bright deep in the heart of Texas. I captured this image of the Milky Way rising above Palo Duro Canyon on a... more

by Stephen Stookey

Title

Fiery Night in Palo Duro

Artist

Stephen Stookey

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

The stars at night are truly big and bright deep in the heart of Texas. I captured this image of the Milky Way rising above Palo Duro Canyon on a late September evening. The sun had just set and the last vestiges of sunset illuminated a low layer of wispy clouds with a wonderful golden hue. The stars and Milky Way popped through the light layer of clouds giving the setting a majestic glow. Alone in the canyon with my camera equipment, it was a glorious, peaceful setting--light wind rustling the trees, cicadas singing, and the occasional coyote howl. The scene brought to mind Georgia O'Keefe's description of Palo Duro Canyon: "It is a burning, seething cauldron, filled with dramatic light and color."

Located just outside Amarillo, Texas, Palo Duro is the 2nd largest canyon in the United States, earning the natural wonder the moniker "The Grand Canyon of Texas." The Prairie Dog Fork of the Red River carved Palo Duro from the Caprock Escarpment in West Texas. The canyon is a dramatic change in the landscape from the level, high plains of the Llano Estacado. Dramatic multi-hued cliffs, rock formations, hodoos, and caves mark the Palo Duro landscape. Members of Coronado Expedition in 1541 were the first Europeans to view the canyon. Apache Indians called Palo Duro home at the time. The US Military mapped the canyon in 1852. In 1878 Col. Charles Goodnight and wealthy Scot John Adair established the JA Ranch. Texas purchased portions of the upper canyon and established Palo Duro Canyon State Park in 1934. The natural wonder is a popular tourist attraction offering opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

Summer nights bring musical overtures at the Pioneer Amphitheater as guests enjoy the outdoor musical drama "Texas"--a summer staple at Palo Duro since 1966. Noted American composer Samuel Jones's Symphony No. 3 is titled "Palo Duro Canyon" and evokes the length, breadth and depth of canyon formation. Jones's work was premiered at the Pioneer Amphitheater in 1992.

This image is perfect for those who love the big, bold beauty of the Lone Star State.

I highly recommend semi-matte paper for framed prints!

Awards, Features & Recognitions:

Best of Show--People's Choice Award
Plains Art Association Show, May 2018
The Abraham Art Gallery
Plainview, TX

1st Place
PhotoPlains Exhibition - May 2017
Sponsored by the West Texas Photographic Society of Lubbock
Judged by Rick Vanderpool
Lubbock, Texas

3rd Place
Post (TX) Art Guild - Annual Art Show
April 24-27, 2019

3rd Annual Levelland Area Artists’ Show
Wallace Theatre
Levelland, TX
July-August 2017

FAA Contest: God is Everywhere
2nd Place (2x tie)
2/20/2017

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Uploaded

November 4th, 2016