The bright formations of Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah have a special appearance in the winter when they are covered...

Bryce Canyon in winter, post-dawn

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

The bright formations of Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah have a special appearance in the winter when they are covered with snow. Taken in post-dawn light, the landscape has a more contrast and the colors are more vivid.  Unfortunately, it's also very cold; when this photo was taken, it had warmed from minus 6 degrees Fahrenheit to nearly zero degrees. The three hours that I spent photographing the area on this morning was about one hour too long; when it is hard to talk and to walk, that's a sure sign of being too cold.  It took a hot shower and several hours before I began to feel normal again. Photo © copyright by Stephen Penland.