An oily sheen produced by decaying organic matter creates an abstract effect in this small ephemeral pool along Phipps Wash. Phipps Wash enters the Escalante River just downstream of its confluence with Calf Creek in the heart of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. The deep blue early-November sky reflects in the water as autumn-colored cottonwood leaves float on its surface. 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. The leaves of these trees reach their golden color peak during the last week of October. This horizontal photograph was captured with a 35mm format camera. All photos in these fine art photo galleries may be ordered as fine art framed prints or for stock photography usage.