"Monolith" - Anvil Rock

Anvil Rock, one of the many towering sandstone formations at Garden of the Gods.

Garden of the Gods includes one of the most iconic scenes in Illinois, most famously Camel Rock, which is to be featured on the Illinois quarter in 2016.

http://www.shawneeexplorer.com/Portfolio/Landscapes/1175389_jZonY#152558803_MrxPt-M-LB

I've been searching off the beaten path in this wilderness area for potential photos and as soon as I saw this "wave" I knew I had to shoot it. After that it was simply a matter of waiting for the sky to cooperate. This was taken from behind and almost underneath the eponymously named "Anvil Rock," which resembles its name from the front.

5D II, 17-40L, Polarizer, 3-stop ND

There is also a rock climb in Pinnacles National Monument (California) called "The Anvil" for similar reasons :). [url[http://www.qitnl.com/v/121308/Pinnacles_121308_011.jpg.html[/url]

Yours is a much nicer image! Nicely done!

Thanks Arne, I fixed your link

http://www.qitnl.com/v/121308/Pinnacles_121308_011.jpg

I'll have to post a photo from the front where you can see the "anvil."

Thanks Taylor, I am enjoying your images from that end of the state.

A very good subject for B&W, Taylor. I would like to see a little bit more detail in the upper portion of the rock, though.

Thanks Toni, yeah I noticed that too after I posted this and updated it

http://taylork.com/photos/Monolith-Brightened.jpg

That is better, Taylor.

Nice image and a fantastic gallery. I had forgotten how beautiful it is down there. Last time was a hunting trip a few years back. I believe next time I will be hunting with a camera instead, and longer than three days. Thanks for sharing.