Blue Bull Cave Gallery

RICHARD PHOTOGRAPHING BLUE BULL CAVE. I HAVE LABELED THE THREE DISTINCT SECTIONS OF THE ROCK ART AT THIS SITE.

Blue Bull Cave Gallery
CDM – 263

I visited the Blue Bull Cave site in Canyon del Muerto on the morning of Saturday, March 7, 2026 during my Spring 2026 Rock Art Trip. This site was the first of the monumental sites we would visit while in the canyons — large alcoves or shallow caves with complex pictographs, layer upon layer. The effect is almost overwhelming, with each little section of each panel filled with vividly painted anthropomorhs, zoomorphs and abstract elements. It is a real challenge to convey the scope and beauty of these places — they are indeed sacred spaces with many stories to tell. I am very grateful to have visited these sites, it is an experience that I shall never forget.

For purposes of this gallery, I have broken the Blue Bull Cave Site into three sections, as noted in the heading photo for this gallery, and as follows…

SECTION 1 — SPANISH COWBOYS AND HORSES PANEL

The first panel I photographed was a comparatively small panel located in the extreme left portion of the alcove. This panel features beautiful paintings (mostly polychrome) of Spanish cowboys and men, mounted and on foot. The panel also has paintings of antelopes and other quadrupeds, all executed in stunning combinations of black, red, white, gray, and brown paint along with charcoal. There are also a few white hand prints thrown in for good measure. The panel was probably painted in the mid-nineteenth century — making it about 185 years old.

THE NAVAJO PANEL LOCATED IN THE EXTREME LEFT PART OF THE ALCOVE AT BLUE BULL CAVE.

A LITTLE CLOSER SHOT AT THE MAIN PART OF THE PANEL -- THE DETAIL ON THESE IMAGES IS AMAZING AND INTRIGUING.

ANTELOPE AND QUADRUPEDS ALONG WITH A HAND PRINT.

FASCINATING DETAILS INVOLVED WITH THESE FIGURES.

MORE INTERESTING DETAILS FROM THE NAVAJO.

THREE MORE HAND PRINTS TO THE LEFT OF THE PANEL IN THIS SECTION OF THE SITE.

SECTION 2 — BASKETMAKER THROUGH DEVELOPMENTAL PUEBLO EXTRAVAGANZA…

The second panel I photographed at Blue Bull Cave was dominated by a stunning and eclectic hodge-podge of anthropomorphic figures. One sees rectangular bodies, outlined, horned, hammer-headed, hunch-backed, with necklaces…I am sure I left some out…oops, duckheads, left ear and top of the head ornaments. This panel is so interesting to examine, bit by bit. Hopefully my photos do it justice!

THIS PHOTO SHOWS SECTIONS 2 AND 3 OF THE BLUE BULL COMPLEX.

THE LEFT HAND PORTION OF SECTION TWO. RIGHT OFF THE BAT YOU SEE AN EAR FIGURE WITH AN ELABORATE HEADRESS.

THE MIDDLE PORTION OF SECTION TWO IS EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE.

LOTS OF ORNAMENTATION ON MANY OF THE FIGURES. HIGH STATUS INDIVIDUALS?

TAKE A LOOK AT THE LARGE ANTHROPOMORPH WITH A BIG SPEAR -- TWO FEATHERS ON HIS HEAD?

BGINNING TO TRANSITION TO SECTION 3 AND THE NAVAJO PAINTINGS.

BACK AT THE LEFT EDGE OF THE PANEL...CHECK OUT THE ORNATE HUNCHBACK FIGURE.

SOME INTERESTING ELEMENTS HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT IN THIS PART OF THE PANEL.

LOTS OF SUPERIMPOSITION THROUGHOUT THE PANELS.

WHITE ELEMENTS WITH TRACES OF BLACK...SIGNIFICANT?

IS THAT A BLACK SNAKE WITH A LARGE ROUND HEAD NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THIS SHOT?

MIGHT THE YELLOW ELEMENT BE A SERPENT FIGURE?

I NEVER TIRE OF LOOKING AT THESE PANELS!

SECTION 3 — MORE NAVAJO, THE BLUE BULL AND A FEATHERED YEI…

The third panel (section) I photographed at Blue Bull Cave contained more Navajo paintings, most significantly, the site’s namesake element, a large blue-gray bull. The head and horns of the bull are badly faded, but if examined closely can be seen on the left hand portion of the element. Directly above the bull is a beautiful feathered Ye’i holding a feathered bow. The head and body of the Ye’i are not sharp, in contrast to the feathers, which are still very bright and clear.