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An easier to get to secret of the desert can be found about 300 yards up the road from where you parked for the Owl Panel. Just off the road on the right hand side is a large rock. It contains an example of rock art called “The Birthing Panel”. The obvious figure on the left seems to be giving birth. A shaman like larger figure on the right seems to be supervising the effort. While not as exquisite as the Owl Panel, it tells a different story.

Treat rock art as you would a picture in your house or in a gallery. Never throw water or any liquid on the images or chalk the outlines of engravings to highlight them.  Never place graffiti on a rock art site; it is often impossible to remove. These illegal practices obscure and damage the art. Look closely at the art so you can see fine details, but do not touch or lean on painted or engraved images. Fats and oils from the hands lead to the decay oft he art and contaminate it for any future dating or chemical analysis.

Anytime of year is a good time to photograph this site.

Late afternoon for this panel on a clear day for golden light. Anytime of day if it’s overcast. The shot above was taken at the equivalent of a 28mm focal length lens on a 35mm full frame camera

LENS: 28-70 mm on a full frame camera, 17-40mm on a crop sensor camera

Birthing Panel

Trying Times
© Miles Hecker

CLICK ABOVE IMAGE TO SEE GOOGLE MAP LOCATION

SEASONS

TIMES

LENS & FILTERS

 

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