Nov. 21, 2008

Congratulations to Lee Francis of Provo, Utah, the winner of our "It’s A Snap" travel photo contest. His picture of Antelope Canyon was the top-rated image in this week.

Antelope Canyon is part of the slot canyons located on Navajo Nation land, near Page, Ariz.

“I’ve been to several slot canyons, and they’re very spectacular,” Francis said. “They are one of the prettiest places to photograph.”

“I think people don’t realize the beauty of redrock country in southwest Utah and northwest Arizona — how much beauty is in that part of the States,” he added.

The redrock is impressive, of course, but the shaft of sunlight illuminating the canyon’s floor makes the photo truly special.

The Navajo Parks and Recreation Department’s Web site describes Antelope Canyon as “ … majestic and narrow passages, just enough space for a small group to walk the sandy floor —and for the occasional shafts of sunlight to shine down from above.”