Dust Storm at Horseshoe Bend

The other reason for going to the Arizona/Utah border was to photograph Horseshoe Bend; where the massive Colorado River makes a complete 180-degree turn.

In the parking lot there’s a sign that says, weather conditions can change very rapidly, so if you see lighting or hear thunder get back to your car: and fast!  It was a sunny afternoon, so I started the 1.5mile trek with camera and tripod. With about half a mile to go I heard thunder behind me.  I looked back to see the sky darkening, but it was darkening very quickly.   I made the correct decision to go back.

Well…as I shut the car door the heavens erupted and dust flew all around me. The hire car literally shook and rocked from side to side. Never one to miss a photo opportunity, I positioned the car at various angles and jammed the camera in the bit between doorpost and the window and took over 70 pictures.

These six photographs below tell the story of the final build-up, the main part of the storm and the sky after it passed. In all it took about 90minutes from start to finish – quite an extraordinary event.

As I had to leave early the next day, I never got to shoot Horseshoe Bend….!

Dust Storm at Horseshoe Bend - I

Dust Storm at Horseshoe Bend - II

Dust Storm at Horseshoe Bend - III

Dust Storm at Horseshoe Bend - IV

Dust Storm at Horseshoe Bend - IV

Dust Storm at Horseshoe Bend - VI