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  • Regimental "hoodoos" are eroded pinnacles of soft rock in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA. Published in Nature, the International Weekly Journal of Science, 17 January 2008 on the cover of the enclosed supplement "Year of Planet Earth," pages 257-304.
    94SW-09-29_Hoodoos_Bryce-Canyon.jpg
  • The Dempsey family explores an enchanting Monkey Puzzle tree forest in Nahuelbuta National Park, Cordillera de Nahuelbuta, the coast range near Angol (north of Temuco), Chile, South America. Monkey Puzzle trees (Araucaria araucana) are conifers which are usually dioecious, where male and female cones grow on separate trees, though some individuals bear cones of both sexes. Its edible seeds (about 200 in each female cone) are similar to large pine nuts. Branches form an umbrella of sharp leaves on a straight trunk which grows to over 100 feet high. Araucaria araucana, the national tree of Chile, is native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina. As the hardiest species of its genus, this tree has become popular in gardens. Unfortunately, due to logging, burning, grazing, and habitat conversion to Pinus radiata plantations, Araucaria araucana is listed as an endangered species by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). In France, the Monkey Puzzle tree is known as désespoir des singes or "monkeys' despair." In the native Mapuche language, Nahuelbuta means "big tiger." What international tourist literature calls the "Chilean Lake District" usually refers to the foothills between Temuco and Puerto Montt including three Regions (XIV Los Ríos, IX La Araucanía, and X Los Lagos) in what Chile calls the Zona Sur (Southern Zone). For licensing options, please inquire.
    93CHI-X2-30_Nahuelbuta-vista.jpg
  • Hear the warble of exotic birds as you walk through an enchanting Monkey Puzzle tree forest in Nahuelbuta National Park, Cordillera de Nahuelbuta, a coast range near Angol (north of Temuco), Chile, South America. Mysterious mists water a garden of yellow lichen draped over the trees. Branches form an umbrella of sharp leaves on a straight trunk which grows to over 100 feet high. Monkey Puzzle trees (Araucaria araucana) are conifers which are usually dioecious, where male and female cones grow on separate trees, though some individuals bear cones of both sexes. Its edible seeds (about 200 in each female cone) are similar to large pine nuts. Araucaria araucana, the national tree of Chile, is native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina. As the hardiest species of its genus, this tree has become popular in gardens. Unfortunately, due to logging, burning, grazing, and habitat conversion to Pinus radiata plantations, Araucaria araucana is listed as an endangered species by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). In France, the Monkey Puzzle tree is known as désespoir des singes or "monkeys' despair." What international tourist literature calls the "Chilean Lake District" usually refers to the foothills between Temuco and Puerto Montt including three Regions (XIV Los Ríos, IX La Araucanía, and X Los Lagos) in what Chile calls the Zona Sur (Southern Zone). Published in: 1) The "Dinosaur Encyclopedia" 2007 by British publisher Dorling Kindersley; and 2) United States Fish and Wildlife Service, International Affairs web site concerning CITES.
    93CHI-06-25_Nahuelbuta-NP_Monkey-Puz...jpg
  • Water drips from a wild Begonia flower along the Inca Trail at Machu Picchu, in the Cordillera Vilcabamba, Andes mountains, Peru, South America.
    03PER-18-26-Begonia-Drops.jpg
  • Trekkers cross the outlet stream of Lake Carhuacocha (13,600 feet) in the Cordillera Huayhuash, Andes Mountains, Peru, South America. On the left, Yerupaja Grande (east face, 6635 m or 21,770 ft) is the second-highest peak in Peru, highest in Cordillera Huayhuash, and highest point in the Amazon River watershed. At center is Yerupaja Chico (20,080 feet). On right is Mount Jirishanca ("Icy Beak of the Hummingbird," 6126 m or 20,098 feet). Published in the following: 1) on the cover and inside of "Climbs and Treks in the Cordillera Huayhuash of Peru" guidebook Copyright 2005 by Jeremy Frimer, ISBN #0-9733035-5-7, Elaho Publishing; 2) Wilderness Travel 2005, 2007, 2013 Catalog of Adventures, and 2009-2011 web client survey; 3) "Fuentes, Conversacion y gramatica," a Spanish textbook by Rusch, Houghton Mifflin Company/Cengage Learning in 2004, 2011, 2013; 4) image for SteriPEN package, a handheld water purifier made by Hydro-Photon, Inc. of Blue Hill, Maine, 2007; 5) "Skills in Global Geography" Cambridge University Press, Australia textbook 2007; 6) Swedish trekking company site www.adventurelovers.se; 7) "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010.
    03PER-38-18_Lake-Carhuacocha_stream-...jpg
  • Trekkers camp in tents in a green pasture at 13,600 feet elevation in the Cordillera Huayhuash, Andes Mountains, Peru, South America. Yerupaja Grande (left, east face, 6635 m or 21,770 ft) is the second-highest peak in Peru, highest in Cordillera Huayhuash, and highest point in the Amazon River watershed. At center is Yerupaja Chico (20,080 feet). On right is Mount Jirishanca ("Icy Beak of the Hummingbird," 6126 m or 20,098 feet). Up to 4 million copies of this image are agreed to be published in print and electronic media by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (formerly Scholastic Inc) from 2009-2034 for the System 44 classroom paperback, "Left to Die." Also published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010.
    03PER-37-36_Yerupaja-camp-peaks.jpg
  • A rainbow shines near a waterfall in Huascaran National Park, Cordillera Blanca, Andes Mountains, Peru, South America. UNESCO honored Huascaran National Park on the World Heritage List in 1985. Cordillera Blanca mountain range is in the Sierra Central of the Peruvian Andes.
    00PER-36-Rainbow-waterfalls.jpg
  • Rain, hail, and snow extinguished our view of Tingopampa Valley as we crossed Punta Union Pass (15,600 feet elevation) on the Santa Cruz Trek, in Huascaran National Park, Cordillera Blanca, Andes Mountains, Peru, South America. Luckily, rain affected us only 2 days out of 23 in Peru in May 2000. UNESCO honored Huascaran National Park on the World Heritage List in 1985. Cordillera Blanca mountain range is in the Sierra Central of the Peruvian Andes near Huaraz.
    00PER-36-Tingopampa-Valley.jpg
  • Huandoy, second highest mountain in the Cordillera Blanca, rises to 20,981 feet elevation, high above Llanganuco Valley and lakes at 12,000 feet above sea level, in the Andes Mountains, Peru, South America. UNESCO honored Huascaran National Park on the World Heritage List in 1985. The Cordillera Blanca mountain range is in the Sierra Central of the Peruvian Andes.
    00PER-36-Llanganuco-Valley.jpg
  • Giant lupines (Lupinus weberbauerii) grow meter-tall flower stalks below snowy Mount Taulliraju (19,100 feet) in Tingopampa Valley, near Punta Union Pass, on the Santa Cruz Trek in Huascaran National Park, Peru, South America. Lupinus is a genus in the pea family (also called the legume, bean, or pulse family, scientific name Fabaceae or Leguminosae). UNESCO honored Huascaran National Park on the World Heritage List in 1985. Cordillera Blanca mountain range is in the Sierra Central of the Peruvian Andes.
    00PER-29-07_Taulliraju_Cordillera-Bl...jpg
  • Mules graze below snowy Mount Taulliraju (19,100 feet) in Tingopampa Valley, near Punta Union Pass, on the Santa Cruz Trek in Huascaran National Park, Peru, South America. UNESCO honored Huascaran National Park on the World Heritage List in 1985. Cordillera Blanca mountain range is in the Sierra Central of the Peruvian Andes.
    00PER-28-Taulliraju-Mules.jpg
  • See the ice wall of Caraz (19,700 feet) on the Santa Cruz Trek, in Huascaran National Park, Cordillera Blanca, Andes Mountains, Huaraz, Peru, South America. UNESCO honored Huascaran National Park on the World Heritage List in 1985. Cordillera Blanca mountain range is in the Sierra Central of the Peruvian Andes.
    00PER-25-Caraz.jpg
  • A waterfall and ferry on spectacular Geirangerfjord, the epitome of Norwegian fjords. Published in Wilderness Travel 1987 Catalog of Adventures.
    81NOR-06-33_Geirangerfjord-waterfall...jpg
  • A metallic green Cetonia aurata (rose chafer or goldsmith beetle) crawls on a magenta/pink thistle in Aoos River Valley, in Vikos-Aoos National Park, Zagoria, Epirus/Epiros, Greece, Europe. Green and magenta hues are "complements" of Color Theory. Zagori (Greek: Ζαγόρι) is a region and a municipality in northwestern Greece containing 45 villages collectively known as Zagoria (Zagorochoria or Zagorohoria). Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010.
    01GRE-39-30_Beetle-thistle_Aoos-Vall...jpg
  • A mountain goat rests at Hidden Lake by Bearhat Mountain in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus, or Rocky Mountain Goat) is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. It is an even-toed ungulate in the family Bovidae, in subfamily Caprinae (goat-antelopes), in the Oreamnos genus, but is NOT a true "goat" (or Capra genus). Since 1932, Canada and USA have shared Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, which UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site (1995) containing two Biosphere Reserves (1976). Rocks in the park are primarily sedimentary layers deposited in shallow seas over 1.6 billion to 800 million years ago. During the tectonic formation of the Rocky Mountains 170 million years ago, the Lewis Overthrust displaced these old rocks over newer Cretaceous age rocks. Glaciers carved spectacular U-shaped valleys and pyramidal peaks as recently as the Last Glacial Maximum (the last "Ice Age" 25,000 to 13,000 years ago). Of the 150 glaciers existing in the mid 1800s, only 25 active glaciers remain in the park as of 2010, and all may disappear as soon as 2020, say climate scientists.
    02GLA-06-26_Mountain-goat_Hidden-Lak...jpg
  • A mountain goat surveys Hidden Lake in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus, or Rocky Mountain Goat) is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. It is an even-toed ungulate in the family Bovidae, in subfamily Caprinae (goat-antelopes), in the Oreamnos genus, but is NOT a true "goat" (or Capra genus). Since 1932, Canada and USA have shared Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, which UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site (1995) containing two Biosphere Reserves (1976). Rocks in the park are primarily sedimentary layers deposited in shallow seas over 1.6 billion to 800 million years ago. During the tectonic formation of the Rocky Mountains 170 million years ago, the Lewis Overthrust displaced these old rocks over newer Cretaceous age rocks.
    02GLA-05-03_Mountain-goat_Hidden-Lak...jpg
  • On the Havasupai Indian Reservation, Havasu Falls, Creek, and Canyon flow into Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010.
    99AZ-07-33-Havasu-Falls-MASTER.jpg
  • The Wave, Coyote Buttes, located on the Arizona side of Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area, which is public land managed by the United States BLM. Over 190 million years, ancient sand dune layers calcified into rock and created "The Wave." Iron oxides bled through this Jurassic-age Navajo sandstone to create the salmon color. Hematite and goethite added yellows, oranges, browns and purples. Over thousands of years, water cut through the ridge above and exposed a channel that was further scoured by windblown sand into the smooth curves that today look like ocean swells and waves. For the permit required to hike to "The Wave", contact the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM), who limits access to protect this fragile geologic formation.
    03AZ-05-21-The-Wave_Coyote-Buttes.jpg
  • Naches Peak Loop Trail in October, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA. In altitude, Washington varies from sea level up to 14,411 feet (4,392 meters) at the summit of Mount Rainier, which is the highest peak in the Cascade Range. With 26 major glaciers, Mount Rainier is the most heavily glaciated peak in the lower 48 states, with 35 square miles (91 square km) of permanent snowfields and glaciers. This active stratovolcano (composite volcano) is in Pierce County, 54 miles (87 km) southeast of Seattle. Published since 2013 on StayRainier.com and AltaCrystalResort.com web sites. Global warming and climate change: Mount Rainier’s glaciers shrank 22% by area and 25% by volume between 1913 and 1994 in conjunction with rising temperatures (Nylen 2004). As of 2009, monitored glaciers are continuing to retreat (NPS). Over the last century, most glaciers have been shrinking across western North America (Moore et al. 2009) and the globe (Lemke et al. 2007) in association with increasing temperatures.
    02RAI-01-13-MtRainierEast.jpg
  • In late December, orange-red flowers of Rhodophiala splendens (Amaryllidaceae family) bloom in an enchanting Monkey Puzzle Tree forest in Nahuelbuta National Park, Cordillera de Nahuelbuta, a coast range near Angol (north of Temuco), Chile, South America. Mysterious mists water a garden of yellow lichen draped over the forest. Monkey Puzzle trees (Araucaria araucana) are conifers which are usually dioecious, where male and female cones grow on separate trees, though some individuals bear cones of both sexes. Its edible seeds (about 200 in each female cone) are similar to large pine nuts. Araucaria araucana, the national tree of Chile, is native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina. As the hardiest species of its genus, this tree has become popular in gardens. Unfortunately, due to logging, burning, grazing, and habitat conversion to Pinus radiata plantations, Araucaria araucana is listed as an endangered species by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Branches form an umbrella of sharp leaves on a straight trunk which grows to over 100 feet high. In France, the Monkey Puzzle tree is known as désespoir des singes or "monkeys' despair." In the native Mapuche language, Nahuelbuta means "big tiger." What international tourist literature calls the "Chilean Lake District" usually refers to the foothills between Temuco and Puerto Montt including three Regions (XIV Los Ríos, IX La Araucanía, and X Los Lagos) in what Chile calls the Zona Sur (Southern Zone).
    93CHI-06-31_Nahuelbuta-NP-flowers.jpg
  • Hear the warble of exotic birds as you walk through an enchanting Monkey Puzzle tree forest in Nahuelbuta National Park, Cordillera de Nahuelbuta, the coast range near Angol (north of Temuco), Chile, South America. Mysterious mists water a garden of yellow lichen draped over the trees. Branches form an umbrella of sharp leaves on a straight trunk which grows to over 100 feet high. Monkey Puzzle trees (Araucaria araucana) are conifers which are usually dioecious, where male and female cones grow on separate trees, though some individuals bear cones of both sexes. Its edible seeds (about 200 in each female cone) are similar to large pine nuts. Araucaria araucana, the national tree of Chile, is native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina. As the hardiest species of its genus, this tree has become popular in gardens. Unfortunately, due to logging, burning, grazing, and habitat conversion to Pinus radiata plantations, Araucaria araucana is listed as an endangered species by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). In France, the Monkey Puzzle tree is known as désespoir des singes or "monkeys' despair." In the native Mapuche language, Nahuelbuta means "big tiger." What tourist literature calls the "Chilean Lake District" is termed Zona Sur (Southern Zone) in Chile (located between Zona Central and Zona Austral). Zona Sur stretches from below the Río Bío-Bío river to just below Isla de Chiloé.
    93CHI-07-09_Nahuelbuta-NP.jpg
  • Hear the warble of exotic birds as you walk through an enchanting Monkey Puzzle tree forest in Nahuelbuta National Park, Cordillera de Nahuelbuta, a coast range near Angol (north of Temuco), Chile, South America. Mysterious mists water a garden of yellow lichen draped over the trees. Branches form an umbrella of sharp leaves on a straight trunk which grows to over 100 feet high. Monkey Puzzle trees (Araucaria araucana) are conifers which are usually dioecious, where male and female cones grow on separate trees, though some individuals bear cones of both sexes. Its edible seeds (about 200 in each female cone) are similar to large pine nuts. Araucaria araucana, the national tree of Chile, is native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina. As the hardiest species of its genus, this tree has become popular in gardens. Unfortunately, due to logging, burning, grazing, and habitat conversion to Pinus radiata plantations, Araucaria araucana is listed as an endangered species by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). In France, the Monkey Puzzle tree is known as désespoir des singes or "monkeys' despair." In the native Mapuche language, Nahuelbuta means "big tiger." What international tourist literature calls the "Chilean Lake District" usually refers to the foothills between Temuco and Puerto Montt including three Regions (XIV Los Ríos, IX La Araucanía, and X Los Lagos) in what Chile calls the Zona Sur (Southern Zone). In Chile, Patagonia includes the territory of Valdivia through Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Spanning both Argentina and Chile, the foot of South America is known as Patagonia, a name derived from coastal giants ("Patagão" or "Patagoni" who were actually Tehuelche native people who averaged 25 cm taller than the Spaniards) who were reported by Magellan's 1520s voyage circumnavigating the world.
    93CHI-06-18_Nahuelbuta-NP.jpg
  • Trekkers tents at Lake Jahuacocha (4066 m or 13,340 feet), Cordillera Huayhuash, Andes Mountains, Peru, South America.
    03PER-29-22-LJahuacocha.jpg
  • A rainbow shines over a trekking camp in Huascaran National Park, Cordillera Blanca, Andes Mountains, Peru, South America. UNESCO honored Huascaran National Park on the World Heritage List in 1985. Cordillera Blanca mountain range is in the Sierra Central of the Peruvian Andes.
    00PER-36-Rainbow-Tents.jpg
  • Red flowers bloom at Lake 69 (14,600 feet) at the base of Chacraraju (20,052 feet) in the Cordillera Blanca, Andes Mountains, Peru, South America. UNESCO honored Huascaran National Park on the World Heritage List in 1985. Cordillera Blanca mountain range is in the Sierra Central of the Peruvian Andes.
    00PER-36-Lake-69-Chacraraju.jpg
  • Mist covers a ridge near Punta Union Pass on the Santa Cruz Trek, Huascaran National Park, Cordillera Blanca, Andes Mountains, Peru, South America. UNESCO honored Huascaran National Park on the World Heritage List in 1985. Cordillera Blanca mountain range is in the Sierra Central of the Peruvian Andes.
    00PER-35-Misty-Ridge.jpg
  • Giant lupines (Lupinus weberbauerii) grow large flower stalks in Tingopampa Valley, on the Santa Cruz Trek in Huascaran National Park, Peru, South America. Lupinus is a genus in the pea family (also called the legume, bean, or pulse family, scientific name Fabaceae or Leguminosae). UNESCO honored Huascaran National Park on the World Heritage List in 1985. Cordillera Blanca mountain range is in the Sierra Central of the Peruvian Andes.
    00PER-28-LupineStream.jpg
  • Giant lupines (Lupinus weberbauerii) grow meter-tall flower stalks in Tingopampa Valley, on the Santa Cruz Trek in Huascaran National Park, Peru, South America. Lupinus is a genus in the pea family (also called the legume, bean, or pulse family, scientific name Fabaceae or Leguminosae). Horses support trekking groups. UNESCO honored Huascaran National Park on the World Heritage List in 1985. Cordillera Blanca mountain range is in the Sierra Central of the Peruvian Andes.
    00PER-28-Lupine-horse.jpg
  • Giant lupines (Lupinus weberbauerii) grow large flower stalks in Tingopampa Valley, on the Santa Cruz Trek in Huascaran National Park, Peru, South America. Lupinus is a genus in the pea family (also called the legume, bean, or pulse family, scientific name Fabaceae or Leguminosae). UNESCO honored Huascaran National Park on the World Heritage List in 1985. Cordillera Blanca mountain range is in the Sierra Central of the Peruvian Andes.
    00PER-28-Lupine-bud.jpg
  • Giant lupines (Lupinus weberbauerii) grow meter-tall flower stalks below snowy Mount Taulliraju (19,100 feet) in Tingopampa Valley, near Punta Union Pass, on the Santa Cruz Trek in Huascaran National Park, Peru, South America. June 6, 2000. Lupinus is a genus in the pea family (also called the legume, bean, or pulse family, scientific name Fabaceae or Leguminosae). UNESCO honored Huascaran National Park on the World Heritage List in 1985. Cordillera Blanca mountain range is in the Sierra Central of the Peruvian Andes. Published in Wilderness Travel 2002 and 2009 Catalog of Adventures. Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010.
    00PER-28-35-Taulliraju_lupines.jpg
  • Alpamayo peak (19,500 feet elevation) soars above tents on the Santa Cruz Trek in Huascaran National Park, Cordillera Blanca, Andes Mountains, Peru, South America. UNESCO honored Huascaran National Park on the World Heritage List in 1985. The Cordillera Blanca mountain range is in the Sierra Central of the Peruvian Andes.
    00PER-26-Alpamayo-Camp.jpg
  • Paria peak (18,400 feet) rises sharply above the Santa Cruz Trek, in Huascaran National Park, Cordillera Blanca Mountains, Huaraz, Peru. UNESCO honored Huascaran National Park on the World Heritage List in 1985. Cordillera Blanca mountain range is in the Sierra Central of the Peruvian Andes.
    00PER-25-Paria-Peak.jpg
  • Around 1450 AD, the Incas diverted a spring through impressive stone work and waterfalls at the archaeological site of Tambomachay (El Baño del Inca), 8 km north of Cuzco, in Peru, South America. Tampumachay means "collective housing resting place" in Quechua language. The Incas perfected stonecraft to an amazing degree.
    03PER-01-18-Tambomachay-waterfall.jpg
  • Mount Reka (1991 feet / 607 meters elevation) reflects in Eidsfjord, lit by the midnight sun. Langoy Island, Vesterålen (Vesteraalen), Norway, Europe. Published in Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures 1989.
    81NOR-02-17_Mount-Reka.jpg
  • Wavy sandstone pattern by Carol Dempsey, Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, USA. Starting more than 150 million years ago, great shifting sand dunes during the age of dinosaurs were compressed, uplifting, faulted, and eroded to form the park's fiery red sandstone formations. The park adjoins Lake Mead National Recreation Area at the Virgin River confluence, at an elevation of 2000 to 2600 feet (610-790 m), 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Las Vegas, USA. Park entry from Interstate 15 passes through the Moapa Indian Reservation.
    99NV-C2-13-wavy-sandstone_Valley-of-...jpg
  • Pink cactus flowers bloom in a pattern at the Sonoran Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
    03AZ-10-01-Pink-cactus-bloom-pattern.jpg
  • The Wave, Coyote Buttes, located on the Arizona side of Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area, which is public land managed by the United States BLM. Over 190 million years, ancient sand dune layers calcified into rock and created "The Wave." Iron oxides bled through this Jurassic-age Navajo sandstone to create the salmon color. Hematite and goethite added yellows, oranges, browns and purples. Over thousands of years, water cut through the ridge above and exposed a channel that was further scoured by windblown sand into the smooth curves that today look like ocean swells and waves. For the permit required to hike to "The Wave", contact the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM), who limits access to protect this fragile geologic formation. Image was published in 2009 for a surgeon's book on the intersection of science and faith. Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010.
    03AZ-05-25-The-Wave_Coyote-Buttes.jpg
  • Naches Peak Loop Trail in October, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA. In altitude, Washington varies from sea level up to 14,411 feet (4,392 meters) at the summit of Mount Rainier, which is the highest peak in the Cascade Range. With 26 major glaciers, Mount Rainier is the most heavily glaciated peak in the lower 48 states, with 35 square miles (91 km²) of permanent snowfields and glaciers. This active stratovolcano (composite volcano) is in Pierce County, 54 miles (87 km) southeast of Seattle. Published by www.brightmountainfinancial.com, Seattle.
    02RAI-01-20-MtRainier-pond.jpg
  • Avalanche lilies and buttercup flowers thrive at Spray Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA. Published on the cover of the 1996 Graduate Program Brochure for the Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle.
    85SPR-01-14_Mt-Rainier_Spray-Park.jpg
  • Ephesus, Turkey: the Library of Celsus, built in 114 AD, was named in honor of a Roman .governor of Asia Minor (Anatolia). The nearby goddess sanctuary helped Ephesus become a prosperous port and cultural center by 600 BCE. At various times, Ephesus was controlled by Lydia (King Croesus), Persians, Hellenists (Ancient Greeks from Athens), Alexander the Great (334 BC), and eventually it became capital (population 250,000) of the Roman Province of Asia Minor. Published in the travel handbook "Moon Istanbul & the Turkish Coast" by Jessica Tamtürk, Avalon Travel Publishing, 2010. Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010. test
    99TUR-13-15_Ephesus-Library-of-Celsu...jpg
  • Cathedral Peak reflects in Cathedral Lake, Yosemite National Park, California, USA. Cathedral Peak is the highest summit of the Cathedral Range, an offshoot of the Sierra Nevada Mountain in south-central Yosemite National Park in Tuolumne County. The sharp cathedral-shaped top of the peak was left uneroded as Pleistocene glaciers scraped its flanks smooth. The west peak (left side) of Cathedral Peak is called Eichorn Pinnacle, after Jules Eichorn, who first ascended a route (difficulty = YDS 5.4 ) in 1931. Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010.
    96CAL-06-05_Cathedral-Peak-Lake-Yose...jpg
  • The town of Florence, Oregon, invites you to "enjoy the beauty of the magnificent Siuslaw River aboard this elegant 54 foot 1850's sternwheeler, the Westward Ho!"
    06COA_057_Suislaw-R_Westward-Ho.jpg
  • The town of Florence, Oregon, invites you to "enjoy the beauty of the magnificent Siuslaw River aboard this elegant 54 foot 1850's sternwheeler, the Westward Ho!"
    06COA_053_Suislaw-R_Westward-Ho.jpg
  • Explore the beautiful slot of Ding Canyon on BLM land in the San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA. As part of the Colorado Plateau, the San Rafael Swell is a giant dome-shaped anticline of sandstone, shale, and limestone (160-175 million years old) that was pushed up during the Paleocene Laramide Orogeny 60-40 million years ago. Since then, infrequent but powerful flash floods have eroded the sedimentary rocks into valleys, canyons, gorges, mesas, and buttes. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW-0780_Ding-Canyon.jpg
  • Explore the beautiful slot of Ding Canyon on BLM land in the San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA. As part of the Colorado Plateau, the San Rafael Swell is a giant dome-shaped anticline of sandstone, shale, and limestone (160-175 million years old) that was pushed up during the Paleocene Laramide Orogeny 60-40 million years ago. Since then, infrequent but powerful flash floods have eroded the sedimentary rocks into valleys, canyons, gorges, mesas, and buttes. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW-0777_Ding-Canyon.jpg
  • Tree foliage changes from green to yellow, orange and red in late September in Superior National Forest, Minnesota, USA.
    03MN-G0028.jpg
  • Two women snowshoe through a snowy forest in early December at Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, USA
    04SNO-0041_snowshoe.jpg
  • Powdery snow islands dot Commonwealth Creek in Commonwealth Basin, Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, USA.
    0701COM-13_Commonwealth-Basin.jpg
  • National Archaeological Museum, Athens, Greece: a beautiful sculpture of Aphrodite, Eros, and Pan was found on Delos Island and dates from 100 BC. Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of  love, beauty, pleasure, sexuality, and procreation. She was born of Uranus, or else from parents Zeus and Dione. Her Roman equivalent was Venus. Aphrodite is also known as Cytherea (Lady of Cythera) and Cypris (Lady of Cyprus) after the two cult-sites which claimed her birth. Myrtles, doves, sparrows, horses, and swans are sacred to Aphrodite. Eros was the Greek god of love, whose Roman counterpart was Cupid ("desire"). Some myths make Eros a primordial god, while others say he is the son of Aphrodite. Pan, the companion of the nymphs, is the god of shepherds and flocks, nature, mountain wilds, hunting, rustic music, and theatrical criticism. Pan has the hindquarters, legs, and horns of a goat, like a faun or satyr. Pan's homeland of rustic Arcadia associates him with fields, groves, wooded glens, fertility, and the season of spring. In Roman religion and myth, Pan's counterpart was Faunus.
    01GRE-29-15_Aphrodite-Eros-Pan-sculp...jpg
  • Enjoy Sabbaday Falls (45-foot drop) on Kancamagus Highway (NH Route 112), in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire, USA. The history, beauty and easy hike (0.6 miles round trip) to Sabbaday Falls make it one of the most visited water features in the state. The White Mountains (a range in the northern Appalachian Mountains) cover a quarter of the state of New Hampshire. Leaf peepers love the peak of autumn foliage around the first week of October.
    1410NH-068_Sabbaday-Falls.jpg
  • Abstract pattern in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-412_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Bottle-brush shape, Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-385-p1_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texa...jpg
  • Puff-ball speleothem panorama in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas. This panorama was stitched from 6 overlapping photos.
    1403TX-385-90pan_Caverns-of-Sonora_T...jpg
  • Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-315_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Enjoy Sabbaday Falls (45-foot drop) on Kancamagus Highway (NH Route 112), in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire, USA. The history, beauty and easy hike (0.6 miles round trip) to Sabbaday Falls make it one of the most visited water features in the state. The White Mountains (a range in the northern Appalachian Mountains) cover a quarter of the state of New Hampshire. Leaf peepers love the peak of autumn foliage around the first week of October. The panorama was stitched from 8 overlapping photos.
    1410NH-049-56pan_Sabbaday-Falls.jpg
  • Enjoy Sabbaday Falls (45-foot drop) on Kancamagus Highway (NH Route 112), in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire, USA. The history, beauty and easy hike (0.6 miles round trip) to Sabbaday Falls make it one of the most visited water features in the state. The White Mountains (a range in the northern Appalachian Mountains) cover a quarter of the state of New Hampshire. Leaf peepers love the peak of autumn foliage around the first week of October.
    1410NH-047_Sabbaday-Falls.jpg
  • Enjoy Sabbaday Falls (45-foot drop) on Kancamagus Highway (NH Route 112), in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire, USA. The history, beauty and easy hike (0.6 miles round trip) to Sabbaday Falls make it one of the most visited water features in the state. The White Mountains (a range in the northern Appalachian Mountains) cover a quarter of the state of New Hampshire. Leaf peepers love the peak of autumn foliage around the first week of October. The panorama was stitched from 6 overlapping photos.
    1410NH-011-16pan_Sabbaday-Falls.jpg
  • Enjoy Sabbaday Falls (45-foot drop) on Kancamagus Highway (NH Route 112), in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire, USA. The history, beauty and easy hike (0.6 miles round trip) to Sabbaday Falls make it one of the most visited water features in the state. The White Mountains (a range in the northern Appalachian Mountains) cover a quarter of the state of New Hampshire. Leaf peepers love the peak of autumn foliage around the first week of October.
    1410NH-040_Sabbaday-Falls.jpg
  • Smooth white sided tunnel in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-442_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Abstract white ceiling pattern marbled with yellow in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-438_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Helictites emerge in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-424_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Flowstone columns, Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-409_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Stalactites in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-395_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • A fishtail-shaped helictite grows in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-379_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Halo Lake panorama, Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas. This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    1403TX-364-366pan_Caverns-of-Sonora_...jpg
  • Halo Lake is an attractive green pool of water in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas. This panorama was stitched from 2 overlapping photos.
    1403TX-368-69pan_Caverns-of-Sonora_T...jpg
  • Abstract pattern in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-357_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Coral-like speleothems. Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-348_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Stalactites and stalagmites in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-321_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • People admire ornate natural decorations in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-308_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Speleothem panorama in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas. This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    1403TX-310-312pan_Caverns-of-Sonora_...jpg
  • Fantastic shapes and patterns adorn Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-306_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Path in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas. This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    1403TX-294-297pan_Caverns-of-Sonora_...jpg
  • Stalactites in ceiling of Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-276_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • White and yellow crystals grow in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-263_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Sydney Opera House was opened in 1973 on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957. Utzon received the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honor, in 2003: “There is no doubt that the Sydney Opera House is his masterpiece… one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty that has become known throughout the world – a symbol for not only a city, but a whole country and continent.” The Sydney Opera House was honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
    04AUS-10198_Sydney-Opera-House.jpg
  • Sydney Opera House was opened in 1973 on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957. Utzon received the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honor, in 2003: “There is no doubt that the Sydney Opera House is his masterpiece… one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty that has become known throughout the world – a symbol for not only a city, but a whole country and continent.” The Sydney Opera House was honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010.
    04AUS-10195-Sydney-Opera-House.jpg
  • See downtown Sydney from Taronga Zoo Sky Safari cable car, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Sydney Opera House was opened in 1973 on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957. Utzon received the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honor, in 2003: “There is no doubt that the Sydney Opera House is his masterpiece… one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty that has become known throughout the world – a symbol for not only a city, but a whole country and continent.” The Sydney Opera House was honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
    04AUS-10072_Taronga-Zoo-Sky-Safari-S...jpg
  • Skyscrapers rise on the skyline of Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Sydney Opera House was opened in 1973 on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957. Utzon received the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honor, in 2003: “There is no doubt that the Sydney Opera House is his masterpiece… one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty that has become known throughout the world – a symbol for not only a city, but a whole country and continent.” The Sydney Opera House was honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
    04AUS-10068_Sydney-skyline.jpg
  • Sydney Showboat, Opera House, and Harbor Bridge, in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Sydney Opera House was opened in 1973 on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957. Utzon received the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honor, in 2003: “There is no doubt that the Sydney Opera House is his masterpiece… one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty that has become known throughout the world – a symbol for not only a city, but a whole country and continent.” The Sydney Opera House was honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
    04AUS-10018_paddlewheeler-Sydney-Har...jpg
  • Abstract white ceiling pattern marbled with yellow in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-439_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • A sharp tooth shape appears in a rocky mouth of Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-435_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Rare fishtail-shaped helictites grow in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-427_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Flowstone column, Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-414_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Flowstone column, Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-408_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-401_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Abstract wall pattern in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-400_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-380_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Abstract ceiling pattern in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-378_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • People on a walkway admire Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-342_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • People on a walkway admire Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-336_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Abstract pattern in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-334_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • People on a walkway admire Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-332_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Pennies in a green pool of water, Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-326_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Abstract helictite pattern in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-305_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • People explore pathways in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-257_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Stairways in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-262_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • A Sydney street artist dresses like Ares, ancient Greek god of war, with silver helmet, spear, shield, and gown. Sydney Opera House was opened in 1973 on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957. Utzon received the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honor, in 2003: “There is no doubt that the Sydney Opera House is his masterpiece… one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty that has become known throughout the world – a symbol for not only a city, but a whole country and continent.” The Sydney Opera House was honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
    04AUS-10645_Goddess-artist-Opera-Hou...jpg
  • A wing of The Butterfly formation was vandalized in 2006, in Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-433_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
  • Caverns of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, USA. The world-class Caverns of Sonora have a stunning and sparkling array of speleothems (helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, coral trees, and other calcite crystal formations). National Speleological Society co-founder, Bill Stephenson said, after seeing it for the first time, "The beauty of Caverns of Sonora cannot be exaggerated...not even by a Texan!" Geologically, the cave formed between 1.5 to 5 million years ago within 100-million-year-old (Cretaceous) Segovia limestone, of the Edward limestone group. A fault allowed gases to rise up to mix with aquifer water, making acid which dissolved the limestone, leaving the cave. Between 1 and 3 million years ago, the water drained from the cave, after which speleothems begain forming. It is one of the most active caves in the world, with over 95% of its formations still growing. Sonora Caves are on Interstate 10, about half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio, Texas.
    1403TX-420_Caverns-of-Sonora_Texas.jpg
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