Geology Rocks the Imagination

Digital manipulation has taught us you can't believe everything you see ... but what if it is literally etched in stone?   Rock formations are geologic wonders created by time and circumstance.  For me, rocks aren't just piles of stones - they challenge my imagination.  Some people look at clouds and see interesting formations.  I look at rocks the same way.  Look closely ... what do you see?

I see an owl.

One of my favorite rock formations is in Alaska.  During a discovery cruise between Homer and Seldovia, the Captain of our boat told us to watch a certain rock in the water.  As we approach the rock, it looks like an elephant with its trunk in the water.

As we sail by the rock, it appears the elephant is holding its trunk up out of the water.  How cool is that!

When scanning a rocky landscape, we frequently find animal shapes.  Some features are unmistakable while others require a bit more imagination.  Here are a few of my favorites:

 

Humpback Whale - Blue Ridge Parkwway

Duck on a Rock - Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona

Camel Head - Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona

Sheep Rock - Arches National Park, Utah

Gopher - Arches National Park, Utah

Billy Goat Head - Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Head of a Triceratops Dinosaur - Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Plucked Turkey

Dolphin Head - Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Head of an Animal Lying on the Ground - Arches National Park, Utah

Elephant & Cheese - Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Parade of Elephants - Arches National Park, Utah

Some rock formations evoke a more sinister mood.

I see a rock monster with its mouth open wide ... waiting silently ... but for what ... or who?

This eerie formation resembles a half-buried skull.

How about taking a walk through a valley filled with goblins?

Goblin Valley State Park - Utah

It doesn't take much imagination to see the "Mittens" or the "OK" hand sign of Turret Arch.

Monument Valley - Arizona

Arches National Park - Utah

If we have the time, we look for faces in the rocks but imagining the rocks as people is an easier task.  For instance, the Three Gossips or the Kissing Couple are good examples of this.

Three Gossips - Arches National Park, Utah

Kissing Couple - Arizona

Are you wondering if this post can offer a royal "happily ever after"?  Look no further than Miners Castle and the Golden Throne.

 Miners Castle - Pictured Rocks NLS, Michigan

Golden Throne - Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

The next time your family is visiting a scenic area, challenge each other to look for the imaginative shapes in nature.  It's a fun way to see why geology rocks!