Dead Heat in Death Valley
..Our just deserts..
Eminent photographer Dave Henry organized a workshop in Death Valley. Actually more of a study in light - while schlepping equipment for miles across sand dunes and dry lake beds.
We spent an afternoon and evening trekking across the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes to study light and texture.
Part of the instruction was logistics planning - decide which direction you want to photograph and not have it cluttered up with footprints…………………
And watch the light change flavors by the minute.
And we worked and walked past sunset.
And started again in the morning before first light.
The first golden glow on the top ridge.
Then the sand becomes “warm” and has texture.
The first direct beam permeates the sand for a dramatic “brain” contrast.
The hue softens to tan with the ascending solar zenith.
And you have waited too long and you want your breakfast - is that eggs or pancake batter?
Now for solid (more or less) ground and the Natural Bridge trail.
A short but simple lesson (just a long hike to get there). Most folks hike to this arch, look, maybe photograph, then walk back. Not a very inspiring formation.
Walk a little closer. Look from a different angle. Now you have contrast with the sky in the background, different levels of light, shadow, and texture.
Our late afternoon destination was Bad Water Basin…
This is a major tourist destination since it is near the lowest point in North America at an elevation of 282 feet below sea level.
There is water just below the crusty, crystalline surface.
Freezing and thawing pushes salt deposits to the surface in a honeycomb pattern.
For those who remember “Twenty Mule Team”…
A few of us didn’t have enough sleep deprivation so Dave gave some “light painting” pointers at the Harmony Borax Works exhibit area.
The last day was Road Trip!
Really BAD ROAD trip - so we traveled to the famous Racetrack dry lake bed in rented Jeeps.
Along the way we stopped at “Teapot Junction”. An evolving landmark hung on a Park Service road sign. The Rangers have been kind enough to grant a dispensation to this Park violation.
After three and a half hours, we arrive at the Grandstand of Racetrack Playa.
In this dry climate, litter can take generations to disintegrate - such as this seamed can from the last century.
This dry lake bed is three miles long, two miles wide, and a thousand feet thick - Wow, my “sediments” exactly.
We found what we came for - the “skid marks” from “racing rocks”. Of course, the good ones were at FAR side of the lake due to tourists who had to take home a rock because they never saw one before.
The phenomenon is caused by a combination of flash rain that freezes on slick clay and high winds that push the rocks on the thin ice.
I found these two that stopped side by side. One had a bit of crystal that refracted a “headlight”. Di provided the title of “Dead Heat”.
Fortunately, there is a deteriorating hillside at the far end of the lake bed so God and nature are keeping up with the ne’er-do-well tourists.
There is much to explore in Death Valley National Park. When you get to the fork in the road, take it.
…THANKS FOR THE LOOK1