I have loved geology ever since I was a boy. I am in awe of the tremendous forces that sculpt the earth into the varied and beautiful rock formations. Among those formations are natural bridges and arches, formed by the forces of erosion - either wind, water or a combination of these. Sedimentary rock of various kinds can form one of these natural features.

When thinking of these formations the southwestern United States might come to mind, with its red sandstone and blue skies. However, these features are not limited to that region, nor limited to sandstone. The Midwestern United States possesses natural bridges and arches comprised of various forms of rock. But photographing these formations can be quite challenging.

In the Midwest, many of the natural bridges and arches are not real large but  they often occur in a confined spaces which make it difficult for composing the scene. They are sometimes found in the woods and forests surrounded by brushy vegetation and trees growing up around them which create distracting elements for composition. In addition, one must be careful to avoid dangers like poisonous snakes. Pomona Bridge actually has a warning at the trailhead specifically citing venomous snakes as a danger. Despite these challenges, I enjoy marveling at their beauty.