Shelley and I arrived back at Wupatki National Monument in the evening to photograph the Wukoki ruins. After spending the bulk of the day at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument we drove north on 395 to make the righthand turn onto the paved road that leads to the Wukoki Ruins at Wupatki National Monument. We’ll talk and see Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument next week. I wanted to keep all of the Wupatki National Monument posts and videos close together, instead of jumping around.
Cloud Glow at Wukoki
After walking down the short path from the parking area at the Wukoki Ruins Shelley and I started looking for compositions. I was really hoping to find a composition for one of those epic Arizona sunsets. We had seen one the prior night while driving out of the Monument. The only problem, there was nowhere to pull off of the road. While I was looking for my composition the clouds were rushing over the ruins. Even though I knew that it was a no brainer composition. And one that was most likely taken serval times. I looked for a way to make it my own. First I started by positioning my tripod low to the ground. Thus allowed me to angle my camera up towards the ruin. I then moved my tripod so that I could include the large rock on the left in the foreground of my composition.
I made this photograph with my Nikon D600 at ISO 100, 16mm, f/11, and 1/80 of a second.
Wukoki – Wupatki National Monument
Both Shelley and I walked around the Wukoki ruins looking for compositions that would make the best photographs. I found this composition on the west/northwest side of the pueblo. By shooting wide and from a low angle I was able to add drama to the image. The clouds helped me out as well. I made this photograph with my Nikon D600 at ISO 100, 16mm, f/11, and 1/200 of a second.
No Sunset Again
After capturing the last photograph I was hoping there might be a reflective sunset that evening. I had no cell service inside the National Monument. And therefore could not access any of my weather apps. The clouds near the Wukoki ruin were mid to high level. And looking off to the west I could not see any low-level clouds that would block out the setting sun. I waited until well past blue for a sunset that was not to be.
If you have not yet read last weeks post about the Wupatki Ruins at Wupatki National Monument please do so by clicking here
If you would like to see the video of our visit to Wukoki Ruins please visit my YouTube Channel by clicking here.
