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Layers of primarily mudstone along with some sandstone and claystone deposited about 200 million years ago eroded into badlands called by some Native Americans as a “land of sleeping rainbows.” Mudstones occur in shades of red, gray, brown, purple, tan, orange and pink. Sandstone is typically beige or cream colored yet can be stained by oxidized minerals like iron (red) and manganese (blue/grey) as can the claystone. Wind and water sculpt the landscape.
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It is a beautiful dessert my friends thanks for sharing…
Gaelyn: Very cool, reminds me of the Badlands when I visited them.
Painted desert is a fabulous place to visit. Now that I am seeing Arizona all over again through my camera, I need to go to the Painted Desert. Thanks for your photo today to remind me of this unique place. Thanks for your comments on my site about the Cliff Dwellers and the Dam and Colorado River! I am now moving to condors at Navajo Bridge and then sand dunes on Navajo lands, as well as local plant life and Vermillion Cliffs. This area was so beautiful. I can see why you stay there.
I love the Indian name! Beautiful photo. Salt Creek in Canyonlands has the same kind of red and cream layers.
Gaelyn, lovely photo, I love the layers of colors. it is like a rainbow. Thanks for sharing your scenic Sunday.
Fantastic Gaelyn. This brings back such good and painful memories.
Gorgeous! I want to return to this area with my camera and a serious photo taking mood!
I believe I have been to this same spot before Gaelyne. The painted desert has indeed many works of art.
I love those formations, I just can never get a good shot of them. Jim is always travelling too fast when we go through there.
I do love the painted desert! What a beautiful area, and a great photograph Gaelyn! Isn't nature amazing? Its so inspiring in so many ways.
Great picture. I love the term "sleeping rainbows."
Lovely blue skies above this beautiful painted bluff. Desert views like this are amazing ;–)
Thanks for visiting Sacred Ruminations.
Hugs and blessings,
I like that Indian name too. The Painted Desert is one of my favorite places. This is a beautiful shot.
Your photo of the desert rock is a good illustration of your explanation of mudstone. "The land of sleeping rainbows" is an apt description.
Gaelyn – I'm so happy you got to meet my friends! I thought you'd miss them. Glad to know they got to the N rim safely.
I visited the painted dessert once. I love Arizona and have enjoyed my travels there. I see you are at the Grand Canyon. lucky you! Would that be North or South?
OK. I've read further into your blog and see that you are at the North Rim. I have hiked down into the Canyon several times, but not all the way. That's one of my dreams.
I loved the painted desert. It's just so damn beautiful.
we have lots of cool rocks her in southern illinois as well always love seeing pictures of others thanks for sharing
What a beautiful place! Havent been there yet.
Another for my long list.
Our country is so amazing and full of so many incredible happenings. this looks like a crashed UFO just rusting away in the desert. MB
I passed through the Painted Desert as a teen, and not since. We 'white men' call the area The Badlands, but the Native Americans have named it more appropriately.
Those layers are amazing. We also have layered rock, but it looks so different from that. Painted desert, indeed.
This is truly a beautiful image.
Gaelyn, that is so beautiful and reminds me of rainbow beach in Queensland.
Thank you for being a real friend and caring, I so appreciate your sweet comments.
I just love rocks, don't you> And big ones at that!
Land of sleeping rainbows is so poetic…and much nicer sounding than badlands. The rocks are beautiful!
Beautiful!
this is so lovely backed by that blue blue sky~
Spirithelpers
Thank you for the comment on my blog and this wonderful picture you posted! Very beautiful place!
Visitors do have a hard time with dogs and not taking them everywhere. I'm sure it's as tough there as it is here when the weather is very hot and the visitors can't find a place to keep their dogs cool while hiking. National Parks aren't really dog-friendly.
It really does look like a painting. I would love to see northern Arizona again one day… (sigh)
who wouldn't love the painted desert…one of my favorite stops when i travel through. the colors are amazing any time of year. a most beautiful capture.
have a wonderful day.
the train station is no longer used… it's now a hotel, shopping center and has many restaurant and fast food vendors inside what used to be the terminus of the station. will try and get those shots up next week. thanks for asking about.
i can see why they called it "land of the sleeping rainbows" So spectacular. hidden within the colors of the rock are the Promises of rainbows. Blessings to you and yours. Love and Light, Nina P
That's a great photo! What a beautiful place.
I so have to get out west…sigh