Palo Duro Canyon – Part 6

by Michael

Welcome to part 6-Chasing the Sunset!

After resting up from our horeback adventure and having a good dinner at Joe Taco in Canyon, thanks to the recommendation of Kristin at Palo Duro Riding Stables, we headed back to the canyon to try and chase the light for some sunset photography. On our way back to the canyon, we spotted this windmill, just as some color began to creep into the sky.

Lone windmill

After entering the park we began to have doubts about any chance of a sunset as we noticed that the sky began to be covered with a solid sheet of cloud. This is not helpful for a colorful sunset, or any sunset at all for that matter. But we began to try and make the most of it, taking shots as we could before the sky, and light, was completely gone.

Sky becoming cloud covered.

We drove from place to pace, trying to find the best spot to catch the sunset. With the cloud cover iit was difficult to know exactly where the sun would be peaking out in order to frame it properly. Eventually, the clouds did part and we were able to finish up our time at Palo Duro Canyon with these photographs. At this point, words will simply get in the way, so enjoy our final moments in the Canyon.

Moonrise over the canyon wall
Sun beginning to set
Setting sun backlighting the rim
Karen taking in the setting sunlight
Setting sun on rim with rising moon
Michael taking his shots at the sunset light (no hat needed)
Fire in the sky
Sunset panorama
Backlit canyon flora
Farewell to the sun

While this brings a close to our time at Palo Duro Canyon, tomorrow we travel a little to the south to visit the Caprock Canyon State Park where there will be more canyon scenes and some wildlife. Be sure to tune in for that episode of the blog.

Michael & Karen

All words and photographs copyright 2023 M Hampton Photography