« Posts by Randy Langstraat

Snakes in Hands

Snakes in Hands

This photo shows part of a Barrier Canyon Style pictograph panel found in one of the most unusual places, as it is found inside a large hollowed-out boulder. Once you stick your head inside (or your whole body since it’s big enough), you are treated to a spectacular 360 degree display of ancient paintings. The main solidly-painted figure in the photo above seems to be holding no less than five snakes in it’s outstretched hands and then there is the dotted-figure next to it with a fringed bottom. Below these main figures you can see many of the other intriguing figures painted here in red and yellow pigment. This is a very interesting site that I would like to visit again when I am not rushed for time.

>> From the Maze to the Mesa

Crescent Moon Panel

Crescent Moon Panel

This is a very cool petroglyph panel found along Indian Creek near Canyonlands National Park that contains many unique figures including a few crescent moons. This photo just shows a part of the full panel including a few of the larger anthropomorphs and the highest crescent moon.

>> Indian Creek Canyon Petroglyphs

Shield Bearers

Shield Bearers

While searching for some other petroglyphs in Natural Bridges National Monument a few weeks ago, Jackson and I climbed up and found this pictograph panel, which was an unexpected surprise. These white shield-bearing figures are painted over some old petroglyphs. Actually, while searching this area for more rock art we found plenty of very faint petroglyphs that didn’t photograph very well. When we first arrived at this site, the shadow of a nearby tree was casting it’s shadow on part of the panel. We stuck around until the shadow finally moved off the pictographs so that I could get a better photo. It was a nice find.

>> Veterans Day Weekend at Natural Bridges

The Hunter and His Prey

The Hunter and His Prey

Here’s a fun composition of two petroglyphs taken at the magnificent Owl Panel near Moab. It appears that this hunter is taking aim with his bow and arrow at the bighorn sheep at the other end of the petroglyph panel.

>> The Blue Buffalo & The Owl

Climb the Ladder

Climb the Ladder

Here’s a close look up a large ladder petroglyph that I was searching for on my last visit to Comb Ridge. This is the first petroglyph of a ladder that I have found, and it’s pretty cool. It looks like the ladder and some of the other figures were carved over some much older petroglyphs. I can’t help but wonder if this ladder is some sort of communication about the very high and almost inaccessible ruin that is found further up the canyon?

>> A Morning on the Sandstone Spine