Erosion Reveals the Painted Desert
Deep channels carved through the Painted Desert reveal a striking contrast of pale gray ridges, darker earth, and scattered fragments of petrified wood. Viewed from above in Petrified Forest National Park, countless grooves and gullies trace the effects of erosion across the soft badland terrain, creating an intricate natural pattern shaped by wind and water over time.
#PetrifiedForestNationalPark #PaintedDesert #Arizona #Badlands #PetrifiedWood #Erosion #DesertLandscape #Geology #RockFormations #AmericanSouthwest #NationalPark #LandscapePhotography #NaturePhotography #EngelPhotography
#PetrifiedForestNationalPark #PaintedDesert #Arizona #Badlands #PetrifiedWood #Erosion #DesertLandscape #Geology #RockFormations #AmericanSouthwest #NationalPark #LandscapePhotography #NaturePhotography #EngelPhotography
Photographer
James Engel
Date & Time
Sunday, March 29th, 2026 at 10:23 AM America/Phoenix
Focal Length
85mm
Shutter Speed
1/125 sec
Aperture
ƒ/11
ISO
64
Location
North America, The United States of America, Arizona, Woodruff, Petrified Forest National Park
Keywords
Badlands, Desert Landscape, Fossil, Landscapes & Nature, National Park, Painted Desert, Petrified Wood, Photography Techniques, Rock, Scenic Vista, Texture
Camera
Nikon D850
Approximate Map Location
Latitude: 34.939583
Longitude: -109.753281
Altitude: 1,714.0 meters / 5,623.4 feet
Longitude: -109.753281
Altitude: 1,714.0 meters / 5,623.4 feet