It's been years since visiting what I call "stamp rock" in Joshua Tree National Park.
If my memory can be trusted (probably not!), I seem to recall the artist took some liberties with that large Joshua tree. Either he added it just to enhance the painting, or it was there at the time but has long since fallen over and disappeared. I thought I knew right where stamp rock was, but as it turned out, I didn't, and Mitch and I did a lot of hiking around the Hidden Valley area of Joshua Tree National Park before finally finding it. That's OK, there's lots to see! Toothy grin! Can you guess what the white stuff is on the "teeth"? That's climbers chalk. They put it on their hands to help them grip the rock.  |
| Delicate balance! |
We came across some incredible pictographs, although not in this area. I'm sharing it here so as not to give away its true location.
Old dam built by the early ranchers. And thanks to recent rain, it was full of water. What a nice surprise!
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| Alien Rock!! |
And finally we found it... stamp rock!! But if you look closely and compare it to the stamp, it's definitely the same rock formation, but it's inverted. Like looking at a mirror image. Very strange!
So I used Photoshop to flip the image horizontally, and I used AI to add a Joshua Tree. Now if you compare this to the stamp, there is no doubt this is the rock formation the artist used for inspiration. Pretty cool!  |
| Later that evening, enjoying the stars. |
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| Until next time!! |
Thanks for stopping by!
I knew you were going to find it!! And you did.
ReplyDeleteStrange how sometimes an inverted photo looks better. I've had painters ask for photos and then they show me what they come up with. About half the time they inverted the image.
Outstanding effort to find and re-create the "stamp tree". I really love all the incredible rock formations. And once again, you have provided motivation for me to get out to see what I can see in the night sky.
ReplyDelete...you always find amazing beautiful in this barren landscape, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe middle section of stamp rock in your photo looks like a cat face and the cat's right ear is tipped. Your photos are so beautiful. Like the second from last. And also the very first. I would never have guessed climbers chalk. It looks like my mouth when I forget to wash my face after brushing my teeth.
ReplyDeleteBack in the days of slides, I would often get some inverted and then struggle to figure out what I was looking at until I realized the mistake. I never have that issue these days with digital pictures.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Ed. Perhaps the stamp art was painted based on a photo on a slide that was accidentally inverted. You may have solved the mystery!!
DeleteGlad you found it. Wonder what happen to the tree.
ReplyDeleteWOW these are wonderful photos :-D
ReplyDeleteI am happy you found it. Beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteVery cool rock formations. You always find interesting things in the desert!
ReplyDeleteWow - these are all beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteWow! Awesome inversion of Stamp Rock ~ fascinating ~ and great pictographs too ~ Always a great post and photographs ~ thanks ^_^
ReplyDeleteIt's a magical place which you bring out wonderfully well.
ReplyDeletewhat a unique target (the stamp) for hiking search.
ReplyDeleteHow funny. I wonder why they inverted the image. But at least you found it. It actually exists :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like quite the desert detective story, especially the "aha!" moment of realizing the postage stamp featured a mirrored version of the actual rock formation. Your creative use of AI and Photoshop to reconstruct the artist's original vision really brings that Hidden Valley mystery full circle!
ReplyDeleteAmazing rock formations.
ReplyDeleteSo magical! I really appreciate seeing this and I have to say your photo art harmonizes with those stamps and their art in a very interesting way that illuminates both. Thanks so much for taking us along on these journeys! Aloha!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful imagges. I love them all but especially the starry night.
ReplyDeleteThis had everything, exploration, a bit of suspense, and a very satisfying find. Loved the toothy grin and that alien rock.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of the various rock formations. It was impressive detective work that you eventually found Stamp Rock. With some artistic license, they do indeed look strikingly similar.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant you never know they may use your photo of the rock on a stamp.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots.
ReplyDeleteRocks. I love those rocks!
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that you were able to find the spot of the Stamp Rock. Interesting as it is a mirror image.
Those star photos are amazing.
Lovely to see
ReplyDeleteWater in the desert. Makes me wonder what for of wild life might be attracted to the same. :-
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of all. I like how you recreated stamp rock. It makes me wonder if the artist worked from an inverted photo. I love alien rock and the one with the teeth. So many interesting formations.
ReplyDeleteYou find a lot of beauty!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are stunning!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing all the unique rock formations, and it’s wonderful that you finally found stamp rock.
The mirrored image makes the discovery even more fascinating.
Amazing photos. Great clicks.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting and yes, funny with the toothy grin, very fitting.
ReplyDeleteHow came the balancing formation together? The Alien Rock looks creepy... Mother Nature has humor, huh.
Wow on the stamp rock, thank you, that was fun!
Awesome post again!! I've enjoyed the virtual discoveries with you so much, Peter. Many thanks for sharing your stunning walks with us.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! You found the stamp rock. I used to watch a balanced rock in New Mexico from Second grade to Fifth grade. At some point it fell off. I was sad. Nice to see this balanced rock posted on your blog.
ReplyDeleteI like how you manipulated the image to prove it was the same rocks as on the stamp. I never would have figured out that it was a mirror image. The desert photos, as usual, were outstanding.
ReplyDeleteI've been there once and it was so cool to see what we did. You took some great pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhat a magnificent day enjoyed finding the Stamp Rock. Stunning sencery.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the explanation of the climber's chalk, that makes sense there would be some there, have a great new week.
ReplyDeleteGroßartige Bilder aus einer besonderen Landschaft. Während ich mir die Fotos ansehe, denke ich an meinen Urlaub im letzten Winter zurück. Meine Reise führte durch den Südwesten. Für mich aus Deutschland ein wunderbares Landschaftserlebnis. Leider haben wir den Joshua-Tree-Nationalpark nicht besucht. Den Aufpreis von 100 Dollar pro Person in vielen Parks kann ich nicht für jeden Park zahlen. Um so mehr genieße ich deine Bilder.
ReplyDeleteAmazing pictures of a great landscape with this impressive rocks and trees. Thanks for visiting my blog. Have a good time
ReplyDeleteVioletta
Stunning. Would love to make it out to that area someday.
ReplyDeleteMore beautiful photos. The desert really is a stunning backdrop.
ReplyDelete