The Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in Eastern Oregon encompasses an area of fascinating geology and beauty. In addition to being part of one of the richest collections of fossils in North America, the Painted Hills are a favorite for photographers, with colors that change frequently due to lighting and moisture fluctuations. The intense colors are the result of the oxidization of different mineral layers in the eroded hillsides. Included here are photographs from different times of the day, showing a wide range of color and textural variation.