Home of the Vulcans

Vulcans are the fictional extraterrestrial species in the Star Trek franchise. Noted for their pronounced eyebrows, pointed ears, strict adherence to logic, and a distain for emotion, they are from the fictional planet Vulcan.

The most notable Vulcan is Spock. He was first played by actor Leonard Nimoy in the original 1966-1969 TV series Star Trek. The three-year, eighty-episode series inspired an additional fourteen TV series and an equal number of movies.

Star Trek is a 2009 motion picture prequel to the original TV series. The 11th film in the franchise was written as a reboot that spawned two sequels. It featured the main characters of the original TV series portrayed by a new, younger cast.

Swell Times

If you watch the movie, you'll be seeing Utah scenery. Scenes of Spock's home world Vulcan were shot in the San Rafael Swell. It’s the same San Rafael Swell from last week’s Friday Photo.

The movie crew spent five days filming in the Swell. This wild country of barren rocks, dagger-like peaks, and hidden canyons made for a perfect alien planet.

Watch the scene where Spock witnesses the antagonist Nero destroy Vulcan. You’ll see the silhouette of the San Rafael Swell peaks disappear into the misty distance.

The Shot

In March of 2023, friend and fellow photographer Jon Christofersen and I hiked into the Swell’s Ding and Dang canyon trail. After scrambling a hundred feet up to a ridge, we launched our drones and started exploring.

I began looking west, but when I turned east and saw the rising sun, I knew I had my shot.

The next Friday Photo will be September 20. I’m taking next week off.  

Thanks for looking,

Chuck Derus

https://cderus.zenfolio.com/