Posted by John Mumaw on August 12, 2007 at 11:22 PM
Just a reminder to you fine folks that on September 13, the shadow from West Mitten Butte will fall directly upon East Mitten Butte in Monument Valley.
I was there for the March event, and it didn't look like it was really gonna happen 'til the shadows lengthened enough to confirm it.
Aside from an English tourist who was freezing in a t-shirt and shorts and wasn't even aware of this event, I was the only other person there to capture it. I'll try and make it this September and hopefully meet some of you.
Posted by Todd Caudle on August 13, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Cool, a visual birthday present for me! Probably won't get to see it, though. My wife hates it when I don't come home for my b-day. Maybe in March. Your starting point in Cortez sure helps.
I'm planning on being there with a photo buddy from Michigan. I suspect that the fall event will be better attended than the spring spectacular. All (OK, both) the decent hotels in Mexican Hat are already booked and the fall date is the one mentioned in Photograph America Newsletter so more people know about it.
I'll keep an eye out for you but I won't be shooting from anywhere near the vistor's center. And in case the name doesn't ring a bell, I was the guy who loaned you my tripod and quick-release plate at Fire Roof Ruin.
Hope to see you there!
Posted by Adam Schallau on August 13, 2007 at 1:00 AM
I'm going to try and be there as well. I witnessed this event 8 years ago purely by chance on a road trip out west from San Antonio and have always wanted to get back to shoot it. Thanks for the heads-up.
Posted by John Mumaw on August 13, 2007 at 7:19 AM
Hi CAZ,
Of course I remember you...you're the reason I'm even here.
I'm forever grateful to you for telling me about this site. Loaning me the tripod was no small deal, either! Thank you again for both.
Surely those rooms in the Hat aren't booked solely because of this event? I didn't realize that this info. had been published anywhere.
Posted by Tom Magnuson on August 13, 2007 at 2:38 PM
Very cool, John. I always like to get the shot that no one else sees or knows about. Pray for sun!
Posted by Bob Falcone on August 13, 2007 at 8:09 PM
Hey, John...
Lets, see....go off duty 7am on the 13th, drive straight down there, get some pics (hopefully), spend the night, and then drive back the next day. Might be doable!
Plus, it would be good to shoot next to you again!
Bob - as long as you don't fall asleep behind the wheel, that's totally doable. It takes me about 7&1/2 hours to get there from Denver with a stop in Moab for a late lunch.
John - If it's in Photograph America Newsletter, then everybody knows about it. However, the spring event isn't mentioned. When does that occur? Hope to see you down there, man!
Adam - I'd love to meet up with you while I'm in the area too. I'll be in the Monument Valley and Cedar Mesa areas (and possibly Page) for 5 or 6 days around that time. Let me know to what extent your plans overlap mine.
Todd - I and with whomever I am shooting will be sure to raise a toast of smuggled beer in honor of your birthday!
Posted by Bob Falcone on August 13, 2007 at 10:20 PM
CAZ, it's all going to depend on how well the 9-1-1 gods treat me! If it's a quiet night, I should be good to go.
Posted by John Mumaw on August 14, 2007 at 1:42 PM
CAZ and all,
I used an online solar azimuth chart to figure out when the sun angle was replicated in the Spring.
Turned out to be March 30, and that's exactly when I took the shot above.
Posted by Laurent Baig on August 14, 2007 at 5:06 PM
Dammit! I wish I'd read this thread on Sunday! When's the next one? Oh wait, you said September, I can make that I think! Yeah, I can make that, and I even get paid that day so I'll have money for gas, whoohoo! See some of y'all there. Hopefully there'll still be some storm activity for some of that blessed light!
Posted by Adam Schallau on August 14, 2007 at 9:23 PM
CAZ,
It's going to be a quick trip for me. I might make a stop up on Cedar Mesa or I may shoot over to Hovenweep. I'll let you know what I'm up to when I figure it out. I look forward to seeing everyone there.
Posted by Howard Cheek on January 17, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Excellent image, great interest!!
Looks like a quality image to this photographer
Howard
Posted by Rodney Ninow on March 30, 2013 at 1:16 AM
Discussion
13 repliesJust a reminder to you fine folks that on September 13, the shadow from West Mitten Butte will fall directly upon East Mitten Butte in Monument Valley.
I was there for the March event, and it didn't look like it was really gonna happen 'til the shadows lengthened enough to confirm it.
Aside from an English tourist who was freezing in a t-shirt and shorts and wasn't even aware of this event, I was the only other person there to capture it. I'll try and make it this September and hopefully meet some of you.
I'm planning on being there with a photo buddy from Michigan. I suspect that the fall event will be better attended than the spring spectacular. All (OK, both) the decent hotels in Mexican Hat are already booked and the fall date is the one mentioned in Photograph America Newsletter so more people know about it.
I'll keep an eye out for you but I won't be shooting from anywhere near the vistor's center. And in case the name doesn't ring a bell, I was the guy who loaned you my tripod and quick-release plate at Fire Roof Ruin.
Hope to see you there!
Of course I remember you...you're the reason I'm even here.
I'm forever grateful to you for telling me about this site. Loaning me the tripod was no small deal, either! Thank you again for both.
Surely those rooms in the Hat aren't booked solely because of this event? I didn't realize that this info. had been published anywhere.
Lets, see....go off duty 7am on the 13th, drive straight down there, get some pics (hopefully), spend the night, and then drive back the next day. Might be doable!
Plus, it would be good to shoot next to you again!
John - If it's in Photograph America Newsletter, then everybody knows about it.
Adam - I'd love to meet up with you while I'm in the area too. I'll be in the Monument Valley and Cedar Mesa areas (and possibly Page) for 5 or 6 days around that time. Let me know to what extent your plans overlap mine.
Todd - I and with whomever I am shooting will be sure to raise a toast of smuggled beer in honor of your birthday!
I used an online solar azimuth chart to figure out when the sun angle was replicated in the Spring.
Turned out to be March 30, and that's exactly when I took the shot above.
It's going to be a quick trip for me. I might make a stop up on Cedar Mesa or I may shoot over to Hovenweep. I'll let you know what I'm up to when I figure it out.
Looks like a quality image to this photographer
Howard