One of the main attractions of the Coyote Buttes South permit area, despite being a vast area of many amazing sandstone features that you could spend days recording, is a cluster of sandstone shaped teepees known as the "Cottonwood Teepees"; located near Cottonwood Cove parking area.

After hiking a half-mile through deep sands before dawn, I arrived at the base of the teepee formations and was surprised to find an uncommon pool of water lingering from a storm weeks prior. Before ascending up onto the slick rock plateau and into the heart of the teepees, I stop to catch a reflection using a long exposure with available pre-dawn light from the horizon, subtly painting the golden hues of the teepees.