We drive up the canyon in the dark and park by the side of the road.  We pick our way down to the river, our path illuminated by our headlamps.  The Virgin River murmurs softly in the dark.  We shine a light across the river into the thicket beyond  Eyes shine back at us.

Above us tower the three patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  There is a strange flash of light from half way up the middle patriarch.  Climbers, probably fixing breakfast.  Above the pinnacles is the endless night sky filled with countless stars.

We set up our tripods and cameras.  Our boots get a bit wet and muddy as we crowd closer to the river's edge.  It is an exquisite moment - the river, the patriarchs, the stars above and, oh yes, the cottonwood garbed in its autumn finest across the way.  We all do our best to capture it.