Tuesday, March 1, 2011

When Land looks like Undersea


Death Valley California; it's hot it's dry and my temperature gauge in my car indicated about 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48C). Just across from a sinister looking brushy sandy field called "Devil's Cornfield" are a range of sand dunes known as "Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes."  The sand mounds into 100ft tall hills and are carved with an elaborate finger print of waves cut by wind. The dry arid terrain with sweeping ridges and crests resembles that of an opposing undersea environment. Dry twisted trees bent and creak like corals and shandy notches are homes to life forms as well as catch debris tumbling in the current of wind. This wind hisses slightly and sounds travel so distant to reach you; you can't discern which direction they originated. I hiked here and found this mix of shade and light. The clouds above looked torn and pulled apart by the heat. This scene shot with infrared 35mm and an early model Nikon captured the presence that sensed about this place.
The Explorer's Guide to Death Valley National Park, Second EditionDeath Valley: National Parks CollectionRoad Guide to Death Valley National Park, Updated Edition

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