Devil’s Tower
Photo by Peter Scott Barta. A storm at Devil’s Tower, Wyoming.
This image was the winner in the Parks category of the 2008 Great Outdoors Photo Contest. This year, National Geographic Traveler and PDN are accepting entries in the Great Outdoors Photo Contest until Monday, May 4.
April 30th, 2009 at 5:42 pm EEDT
Mr. Barta, this is an incredible piece of photography. Truly awe-inspiring. I think this is the closest thing to photographic evidence of GOD that I have ever seen. Thank you and “well done,” to say the least.
May 4th, 2009 at 12:58 pm EEDT
Totally amazing. One of the best photographs I’ve seen, and I look at photographs all the time! Congratulations and Thanks.
May 6th, 2009 at 7:54 am EEDT
I love this photo! It would be terrific even without the rainbow, but the rainbow just then makes it even that more special! Congrats!
November 11th, 2009 at 11:47 am EEDT
you mean closest thing to evidence of DOG. you can see the head right there in the clouds swooping down to grab devils tower.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:23 pm EEDT
Mr. Barta, this is an incredible piece of photography. Truly awe-inspiring. I think this is the closest thing to photographic evidence of the awesome power of natural forces that I have ever seen. Thank you and “well done,” to say the least.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:30 pm EEDT
Very nice photo. It definitely means something.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:48 pm EEDT
Awesome! You were at the right place at the right time.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:55 pm EEDT
“Mr. Barta, this is an incredible piece of photography. Truly awe-inspiring. I think this is the closest thing to photographic evidence of GOD that I have ever seen. Thank you and “well done,” to say the least.”
Yes, because we should damn the miracles of nature with faint praise by saying some bored sky wizard left pretty shiat around while people starve to death and die of pitiless brain tumors, etc.
Gorgeous photo, gorgeous universe. Let’s not get stupid about it.
/is not atheist, actually, but just sick of the fawning shiat
November 11th, 2009 at 3:56 pm EEDT
Mr. Barta, this is an incredible piece of photography. Truly awe-inspiring. I think this is the closest thing to photographic evidence of big clouds that I have ever seen. Thank you and “well done,” to say the least.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:02 pm EEDT
When I looked at this photo the first thing that came to mind was “Hey dog, did you see the size of them chickens”
November 11th, 2009 at 4:02 pm EEDT
really could we not turn this into a religious debate, can we focus on how amazing the picture is?
November 11th, 2009 at 4:06 pm EEDT
I agree, let’s not turn this into a religious debate…
except there are already 3 comments on how this must be made by god instead of just a dirt pile and a cloud full of dust/water…
A plane landed in the hudson river, “Its a miracle!!”
A plane landed on a house a week later Where was god then?
November 11th, 2009 at 4:07 pm EEDT
it looks like an ancient petrified tree stump that was cut by a huge axe in one swipe. trippy.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:18 pm EEDT
What’s really awe-inspiring is the amount of distortion in this photo. Probably more than even Photoshop could correct! That’s impressive.
Make me wonder what a good photo of that scene would have looked like. Sorry, leaning mountains/trees don’t do it for me. Neat weather effects, though.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:21 pm EEDT
Mr. Barta, this is an incredible piece of photography. Truly awe-inspiring. I think this is the closest thing to photographic evidence of herp derp that I have ever seen. Thank you and “well done,” to say the least.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:26 pm EEDT
Mr. Barta? God here. I was soooooooooooo stoned when I made that sky! LOL! Thanx 4 teh pix!
Satan is teh suxor
November 11th, 2009 at 4:27 pm EEDT
USA! USA! USA!!!!!
November 11th, 2009 at 4:29 pm EEDT
@ouijaqueen
The local tribes believe a princess was being chased by a really huge bear when the ground swelled beneath her to save her. The marks on the side are from the bear’s claws trying to climb up to get her.
That’s my memory of the story. Maybe missing some nuances/facts.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:36 pm EEDT
FARK YOU. Wankerz.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:37 pm EEDT
I think this is the closest thing to photographic evidence of water, and wind currents in the atmosphere that I have ever seen. Gah-LORY!
Play the tones and find Richard Dreyfus!
November 11th, 2009 at 4:40 pm EEDT
The universe is a beautiful, mind boggling place, patiently awaiting us to evolve the wit to understand it. Wonderful image. Way to inspire awe in my otherwise normal day. :)
November 11th, 2009 at 4:42 pm EEDT
Mr. Barta, this is an incredible piece of photography. Truly awe-inspiring. I think this is the closest thing to photographic evidence of Bigfoot that I have ever seen. He is clearly standing beneath the 11th tree from the left, drinking a raspberry Slurpee and scratching his genitals. Thank you and “well done,” to say the least.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:48 pm EEDT
Mr. Barta, this is an incredible piece of photoshoppy. Truly awe-inspiring. I think this is the closest thing to photographic evidence of BOREDOM that I have ever seen. Thank you and “nyuk nyuk,” to say the least.
It also looks like a vagina, there in the middle.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:59 pm EEDT
Please… Says:
“Yes, because we should damn the miracles of nature with faint praise by saying some bored sky wizard left pretty shiat around while people starve to death and die of pitiless brain tumors, etc.”
God is NOT “some bored sky wizard”! He’s the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, which includes NATURE!
Your comments are arrogantly INCOMPETENT at best, and illustrate your shallow understanding of the incomprehensible enormity of the universe, because your brain and eyes can’t see past the clouds abover your head!
November 11th, 2009 at 5:03 pm EEDT
I wanna suck GOD’s cawk for all the stuff that bored sky wizard has pulled so far.
Suck that, bible thumping hillbillies.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:16 pm EEDT
As opposed to a PROFOUND understanding of the incomprehensible enormity of the universe, some old dude THOUGHT IT UP!
-touched by his noodley appendage…
November 11th, 2009 at 5:20 pm EEDT
Mr. Barta, this is an incredible piece of phartography. Truly awe-inspiring. I think this is the closest thing to phartographic evidence of the awesome power of natural forces that I have ever seen. Thank you and “medium rare,” to say the least.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:23 pm EEDT
Mr. Barta, this is an incredible piece of photography. Truly awe-inspiring. I think this is the closest thing to photographic evidence of the leaning tower of the devil that I have ever seen. You can clearly see it leaning on the right side of the photo, just below the cloud that God is sitting on.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:32 pm EEDT
Peter, I’m really happy for you, and I’m gonna let you finish, but Ansel Adams had one of the best pictures of all time!
November 11th, 2009 at 5:48 pm EEDT
Mr. Barta, this is an incredible piece of photography. Truly awe-inspiring. I think this is the closest thing to photographic evidence of The Flying Spaghetti Monster that I have ever seen. Thank you and “well done,” to say the least. May HE touch you with his Noodly Appendage.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:49 pm EEDT
“God is NOT…”
Had you stopped right there, I’m with you.
Cool chacha pic! The tower’s gettin’ stoked!
November 11th, 2009 at 6:00 pm EEDT
How do we know that Satan didn’t create this? Does God only create the pretty stuff? Maybe this is an enormous Satanic phallic symbol.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:01 pm EEDT
Mr. Barta, this is an incredible piece of photography. Truly awe-inspiring. I think this is the closest thing to photographic evidence of Euler’s Identity that I have ever seen. Thank you and “well done,” to say the least. Who needs boring math books when you have a camera?
November 11th, 2009 at 6:03 pm EEDT
Meh.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:06 pm EEDT
WTF do you morons think everything that looks cool has to be all about God or Satan you retards need to pull your heads out of yer asses and just enjoy some cool scenery without bringing your retarded ass religion into it.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:06 pm EEDT
It’s a huge rock…. what’s the big deal?
November 11th, 2009 at 6:17 pm EEDT
Gee- this site really demonstrates the difference between liberals and conservatives. If a conservative doesn’t accept God he just accepts other’s beliefs with respect. A liberal want to ban everyone else’s right to believe.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:23 pm EEDT
I WANT TO BELIEVE
November 11th, 2009 at 6:26 pm EEDT
Mr. Barta, this is an incredible piece of photography. Truly awe-inspiring. I think this is the closest thing to photographic evidence of Muhammad that I have ever seen. Too bad those farking muslims won’t just let us post a picture of him. I’ll bet it’s because he looked like one of those weaselly bastards you used to beat up in school and the muslims are all butthurt about it. Thank you and “well done,” to say the least.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:28 pm EEDT
p.s. AdScott: Umm, you sure you didn’t get your parties mixed up there?
Obvious fail is obvious.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:42 pm EEDT
Mr. Barta, this is an incredible piece of photography. Truly awe-inspiring. I think this is the closest thing to photographic evidence of photographic evidence of photographic evidence of 9/11 that I have ever seen. Thank you and “never forget,” to say the least.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:07 pm EEDT
I wish god would flush this world and all of you useless turds with it down the toilet…
November 11th, 2009 at 7:40 pm EEDT
I see Richard Dreyfuss in the background.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:53 pm EEDT
cool pic love the clouds
November 11th, 2009 at 9:20 pm EEDT
I work with Richard Dreyfus and am getting a kick out of these replies…..
November 11th, 2009 at 9:38 pm EEDT
What….No lightning bolt?…..
This picture sucks…
November 11th, 2009 at 10:23 pm EEDT
Well, it looks biblical…because that’s where ancient people went when they saw nature at it’s most amazing or unexplainable. I say, it stands alone as a beautiful happening, giving us an opportunity to appreciate the natural. That we don’t need to get religiously or spiritually romantic about it. But, if that’s the lens people enjoy beauty through and need to give it some “greater” meaning….oh well.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:27 pm EEDT
ps. i’m more liberal than conservative, and i don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade. we can all believe in anything we want to believe in..and all things are possible. I just prefer appreciating things without assigning meaning to them. be it scientific or religious. amen.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:09 pm EEDT
Beautiful, humbling, and in no need of explanation.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:27 pm EEDT
Came for the anti sky-god comments. Left satisfied.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:52 am EEDT
This was obviously created either by Odin, Thor, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster. No other explanation makes sense.
/invisible sky fairies are invisible.
November 12th, 2009 at 1:33 am EEDT
http://www.icanhazlargehadroncollider.com
November 12th, 2009 at 2:36 am EEDT
Kinda looks like Falcor or maybe a dog skeleton… or if i may really dork out here, a dragon
November 12th, 2009 at 5:35 am EEDT
Mr. Barta, this is an incredible piece of photography. Truly awe-inspiring. I think this is the closest thing to photographic evidence of big clouds that I have ever seen. Thank you and “well done,” to say the least.
November 12th, 2009 at 7:31 am EEDT
Mr. Barta, thank you and “well done” , to say the least, for your kind comments regarding my work. However, sucking up to the Big Guy in no way relieves you of retribution for your continued molestation of bunnies.
Signed…
Gawd
November 12th, 2009 at 8:12 am EEDT
Mr. Barta, this is an incredible piece of photography. Truly awe-inspiring. I think this is the closest thing to photographic evidence of an anal-cranal loop-back that I have ever seen. Thank you and “well done,” to say the least.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:28 am EEDT
This is a neat photo. I was at Devils Tower this spring. There is no apostrophe in the name “Devils Tower” BTW. Not that I would notice except that there was a display at the visitor’s center talking about that -seriously.
@ the rest of you God-haters. You are right to question those who point out God only in beauty, but not in tragedy. But you are wrong to think that the question has no answer. The Bible has lots to say about the subject and those answers have been in print for thousands of years. Stop being ignorant and read it. For example Romans 9:22: “What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction?”
You might not like the answer, but your opinion is hardly relevant.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:05 am EEDT
The Lakota Indians call this “Bear Lodge Butte”.
Go and do likewise…
November 12th, 2009 at 12:03 pm EEDT
Dat shur is one purty pickture. Hey I can call my ma from up here. Hey ma!!! Get off the dang roof!!!
November 12th, 2009 at 1:00 pm EEDT
November 12th, 2009 at 1:03 pm EEDT
Hmmm.
Needs a wolf in the background.
Like so: http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/2412/howldevil.jpg
November 12th, 2009 at 2:07 pm EEDT
Daiv:
How about you stop being ignorant and do a little research. The Bible has evolved over the last 5500 years so much that what your pompous and condescending eyes read today is not only not inclusive of all the gospels that have been written, but a collection of gospels selected and then edited by man. If there is a true God’s Word, it’s not in the Bible.
I especially like how anyone who has an opinion differing from yours is a god hater.
The picture might be pretty, sure. The fact that it has to be shared with idiots like you means I’ll never go see the place.
November 12th, 2009 at 3:02 pm EEDT
Baloney,
Can I get a framed copy of that while wearing this:
http://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Mens-Three-Short-Sleeve/product-reviews/B002HJ377A
I figure it’ll take maybe two or three Bud Lights before I am skipping on clouds and nudging against the moon doing my business and keeping it canine in my warrior code.
November 12th, 2009 at 3:05 pm EEDT
Excellent photo. it inspires me.
November 12th, 2009 at 7:22 pm EEDT
Not being so insecure so as to need to see god or man in everything; or not see him/her/it either. Having to convince others to join ones position, just to validate ones own beliefs and downgrade others beliefs is a true sign of deep insecurity. Being in awe of the universe around us, should be enough. “Let it Be”
This is an awesome photo, right there with some from the Hubble. Thank You Barta, and thank “DOG” too!
November 13th, 2009 at 1:46 am EEDT
Stop all the god crap people! Just admire the picture.
November 16th, 2009 at 3:01 am EEDT
The sharpness of Devils Mtn and trees, the point of view & lens selection and that incredible lighting hitting the mountain & clouds are all perfect. You could hang out at Devils Mtn for years on end and never see this again. Truly a one of a kind capture. Congratulations Peter.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:37 pm EEDT
Amazing photo, almost proof that it is nature, not God, that is truly great. A ancient destroying volcano, a lethal storm brewing, the great cyclic powers of geology and atmospheric physics meeting across the ages. It is these things that the idea of “God” is a parasite on, a primitive summary of, not the creator of. We are, in the midst of nature’s beauty and power, ourselves alone, another expression of that power. And that’s the most uplifting thought of all.