An oily sheen produced by decaying organic matter creates an abstract effect in this small ephemeral pool along Phipps Wash in early November as cottonwood leaves float on the water. Phipps Wash enters the Escalante River just downstream of its confluence with Calf Creek in the heart of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. The Escalante river drains a vast area of southern Utah and provides perennial water for large groves of cottonwood trees all along it's 100-mile course. This black & white horizontal photograph was captured with a 35mm format camera. All photos in these fine art photo galleries may be ordered as fine art black & white framed prints or for B&W stock photography usage.