Nikon D810, 1/100 sec, f/16, 1/100 sec, 24mm
This image shows the right side of the main Gila dwellings. You can see how high up some of these dwellings are, and the fact that there is no direct way to reach this particular room. I guess for ease of construction, and defensive purposes, there is a limited number of access points to the various dwellings. On a particle level, the limited number of access points increases the walking distance when carrying water and food. I wonder if they even cared about the number of “steps” they logged on a daily basis like some of my fiends do today!
Gila Cliff Dwellings: 33.227263° -108.267446°
Nikon D810, 1/250 sec, f/16, 24mm, ISO 200
Here is the right side of the Gila Cliff Dwellings. The entire group of dwellings is visible from the ridge across from the site. However, none of this site is visible from the top of this ridgeline. It is amazing that this series of 46 rooms in the five caves along this cliff side are completely hidden.
I wish it were possible for me to capture a single panoramic image of the whole cliff side. It might be possible to capture such an image from the opposite ridge, but I did not have time to actually hike up there.
Gila Cliff Dwellings: 33.227263° -108.267446°
Nikon D810, 1/320 sec, f/16, 24mm, ISO 200
Here is a ground-level view of the left side of the Gila Cliff dwellings. I especially like the little bridge-like structure coming off the big wall on the right side. I also like how the walls in the center blend in so well with the surrounding cliff-side. Notice the sharp edge between the cliff top and the blue sky. This is the result of using a circular polarizing filter. The clear blue sky and sharp edge actually detracts from the overall composition.
The dwellings sit near the top of a ravine. However, the only way to reach them is from the bottom of the ravine. To reach the dwellings you have a choice of a long, not so steep approach, or the short, steep approach. While neither route is strenuous, I would hate to make it several times per day while fetching water or going hunting or hunting and gathering, which I image were daily chores.
Gila Cliff Dwellings: 33.227263° -108.267446°
