There is only a brief window of time, at sunrise, when the low angled light adds shadows to the ripples in the dunes. As soon as the sun has risen much above the horizon, the light becomes harsh and the contrast disappears. January 16, 2009.
One of my favorite shots from the Mesquite Dunes at Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley. Taken with a 12-24mm wide-angle lens. I’m reminded to use the wide-angle more often. January 16, 2009.
Brightly colored rock at Artist’s Palette, Death Valley
A detail of the Artist’s Palette area of Death Valley. My first trip to Death Valley and the multi-colored badlands were glowing at sunset. Taken March 8, 2006.
One of the famous 20-mule team wagons that transported borax from the Harmony Borax Works 165 miles to the nearest railhead at the town of Mojave. The wagons hauled ten tons of Borax and a 1,200 gallon water tank.
An early morning view of the multi-colored hills of Artists Palette. The browns, blacks, reds yellows and intermediate shades are caused by iron oxides. Purple hues are due to magnesium. The green colors may be caused by copper or the breakdown of mica.
Badwater is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere at 282 feet below sea level. The small spring-fed pool is the remnant of an ancient lake that once covered Death Valley’s floor. The salt deposits in and around the pool explain the origin of the name.
I was aware the moon would be setting near sunrise the previous morning at the Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes, but I hadn’t checked to see when it would set this morning. I was happy to find this alignment with Telescope Peak when I arrived at Badwater. This was about 40 minutes before sunrise.