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Bears Ears National Monument, Utah, Day to Night™, 2022
The breathtaking landscape of Bears Ears National Monument stands as both a symbol of preservation and a reminder of the threats facing America’s most irreplaceable places. Designated as a protected site at the urging of Native American tribes who consider it sacred, it was later targeted for drilling and mining—an ongoing struggle between conservation and exploitation.
Rich in archaeological significance, Bears Ears is home to sites like the Citadel, once a fortified cliff dwelling and now a revered hiking destination.
Over the course of 36 hours, I captured 2,092 photographs, ultimately selecting 44 to compose this image. Beyond its striking beauty, every step through this landscape carries a profound sense of history—a connection to the past that lingers in the air, etched into the land itself.
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