Hiker Takes Stunning Nighttime Photos Of Petroglyphs In New Mexico

Finding petroglyphs in the rock formations of Utah and New Mexico is fairly commonplace. Many photographers hike out to photograph the ancient drawings. Daytime images show the intricacy of the drawings and the detail of each petroglyph. Astrophotographer Derek Culver was curious about what stone artwork would look like after dark. His results are stunning, you can watch the video here!

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The stark differences between the daylight images and the night images are startling. While features and details are visible during the day, they seem amplified and more evident in the night images. With the images of hands, you see the polydactyl trait of six fingers, which happens in humans and animals. The images against the backdrop of the open sky with visible stars and night sky formations are spectacular.

Petroglyphs are an important part of New Mexico’s history. Created centuries ago by Spanish immigrants and Indigenous peoples, the images depict bits and pieces of life in the desert region. They not only tell us history but hold cultural and spiritual significance for descendants of the artists.

Visitors to the National Park at Petroglyph National Monument can see petroglyphs in several areas. Boca Negra Canyon has more than 100 images, Rinconada Canyon hosts over 300, and Piedras Marcadas Canyon has over 400 images. Sections of the park have different hours, so please check with the information center before visiting the canyon areas.

If you are interested in fantastic night photography, follow clanger_mcbanger on TikTok. While his public images of petroglyphs are limited, Derek Culver includes videos and pictures of his phenomenal astrophotography projects. The beautiful array of colors and lights will have you gasping for breath.

Please share if you enjoyed seeing Derek Culver’s adventures photographing the night’s beauty.

You can find the source of this story’s featured image here and here.