Conifer Against Red Rock (conifer-red-rock-5587)

The bright green tips of spring growth on this conifer created a beautiful contrast against the red rock. This shot was taken in a stretch of the trail called "Refrigerator Canyon". The name comes from the fact that in the early hours of the day this section of the trail which passes between two towering cliff walls is protected from the sun and the airflow rushes down from above out to the valley floor. The effect is a cool flow of air that greets you as you turn into the canyon. By time we came back in the early afternoon, however, the natural air conditioning had turned to hot air rising from the hot canyon below, and the sun was directly overhead. Labels: 2009, angels landing trail, geology, photography by John Corney, plant, red rocks, tree, united states national parks, utah, zion national park