Calendar captures Utah's diversity

For a mere $4.95, you can take in the grandeur of the brilliant hematite concretions in Snow Canyon, gaze at the snow-covered Superior Peak of Little Cottonwood Canyon or ponder the pine tree reflections of Mirror Lake.

And you can do it at your desk in your office or from your home.

The Utah Geological Survey's 2010 calendar is out, sporting photos of geological wonders snapped by the men and women in the field — geologists who get up close and personal with Utah's unique landscapes.

In its fourth year, the calendar has turned into a fiercely friendly competition among the survey's geologists, who with a click of a camera hope the "shot" earns them a place on the page.

Last year, said publications manager Vicky Clarke, a staggering 800-plus photos were submitted.

"It was just way too many to go through," she said, adding that a limit was imposed of 10 photographs per geologist for the 2010 edition.

"Every year the photos have gotten better and the calendar has gotten better," she said. "It is a project that everyone has shown an interest in."

Only 2,500 copies are printed and most are given away — to employees who share them with friends and family, to lawmakers and others who may have an interest or affiliation with UGS. With the help of J. E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School, 50 calendars will be given to Utah troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The rest are sold at the Utah Department of Natural Resources' book and map store on North Temple.

Winning entries have to survive three rounds of scrutiny by a panel of geologists who assess the work based on the geology depicted and artists and designers who look for clarity, color and photogenic appeal.

Clarke says the photos, too, must demonstrate the geologic diversity found in Utah — from high alpine mountaintops to the red rock country.

Michael Vanden Berg had several of his entries picked for the publication, including June's picture of Navajo sandstone at Snow Canyon State Park and August's stark depiction of a pattern of mud cracks out in the Great Basin at Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge.

"Taking pictures of scenic things in Utah is probably one of the easiest things to do because Utah is obviously very beautiful," he said. "It is not hard to get good photos. All you have to do is wait for the right light and snap away."