El Malpais National Monument - La Ventana Natural Arch

We were delighted to find out that this New Mexico area had a natural arch to photograph. The sky turned overcast by the time we got to see it, but the arch’s size and beauty merited a photograph regardless of the weather conditions! One of these days, we hope to get back to Arches National Park again and spend some time there in depth. In the meantime, it is a treat to find sandstone arches at other locations, like this one. There is a nice trail here, picnic tables, and some rest rooms. Except for three other visitors who left about five minutes after our arrival, we had the place to ourselves. 

Here are a few details for you! The La Ventana is the second largest of New Mexico’s arches. It’s name in Spanish means “window”. The arch’s sandstone has been eroding back to the age of the dinosaurs. And, from base to the top, it is reported to stand 135 feet tall. Settled into that massive sandstone cliff, it sure seemed bigger than that!

I have one more post planned to share El Malpais photos. Then I will begin a new Alaska photo series. I am a self-confessed slow-poke when it comes to digital editing, so please continue to bear with me! The poll I tool on my sidebar showed that the majority of my blogging friends would like to see “grand scenics” first. But I find myself getting easily sidetracked in the editing because I keep working on some of the wildlife and bear photos too! You will understand completely when I feature a charming wildlife “portrait” in the upcoming photo challenge (August 20).