Ray of Hope

This photo was taken in April 1999 at Antelope Canyon, AZ. Antelope Canyon is one of the best known slot canyons in the world and is located on Navajo Indian land near Page, AZ.

In 1931, twelve-year-old Sue Tsosie was herding sheep from Manson Mesa toward Kaibeto when she discovered a slot canyon that is known today as Antelope Canyon.

Slot canyons are cut into the colorful sandstone by the action of flash floods. A downpour many miles away can create a sudden flood of water that washes through the slot canyon scouring the walls and floor, thus re-shaping it during each flood. These floods occur in Antelope Canyon about 5 times a year and can pose a threat to people in the canyon. In August of 1997, 11 people were killed in the lower section of this canyon by just such a flash flood.

The shaft of sunlight in this photo appears for only about 5 minutes each day during the spring and fall. It normally appears as a spot of bright sunlight on the floor of the canyon. I had an assistant throw dust into the ray of light to make it visible for this photo.