Ever been to the salt flats in Death Valley and wondered what in the world could live in such a place?
Here is a story I won't forget. While photographing the hexigon patterns in the golden hour as usual it soon became dark and I found these uplifted salt tiles stacked up higher than I'd seen before maybe 2 1/2 ft or higer. While getting a more intimate view, there it was starring me down with those eyes that don't lie, as I got closer and closer they began to take on an unearthy evil red GLOW! By this time my thumb had already depressed the cable release. I only managed to snap the shutter once before it let out it's high pitched shrill and charged me. It was so loud by the time the gesture was made to cover my ears, I was knocked over and the air was filled with goose feathers falling like snow flakes on the salty crystal floor.
Then in the almost complete darkness the real panic began, my head lamp must have fallen off my head in all the commotion, I didn't know if "it" got me or not.. . I frantically rummeged the uneven floor trying to find the lamp, I couldn't find it. My facebooking, twittering, blogging I-phone lit up the darkness and I could see that I was saved by a mere layer of clothing, my down jacket. It all happened so fast all I could remember was a giant pair of buck teeth glisten in the darkness of night.
Mom always knows best, put on your jacket it's cold out there, little did she know it could save a person from a little more than the cold.
Some people will believe but some will not, here is a link containing evidence supporting the existence of the wild Jackalope http://www.sudftw.com/jackcon.htm
Back in the 60's, Death Valley got hit several times with fallout from the Nevada Test Site, located just a few miles to the east. It's actually surprising that more people aren't attacked, even killed and eaten, by these fearsome creatures! (Or maybe they ARE, and the NPS is covering up the gruesome evidence!)
Greg, Thanks for the info, I never knew that but there is plenty of unknown things out there in the Mojave Desert. I wonder where the scarred ground zero is?
Ray, I'll have to keep that in mind for some future writings.
I definitely believe you!!!
Excellent photo. I am impressed that you had the wits to capture the beast while running to save your life. A true hero.
Ute
Thanks all for going along with my odd sense of humor and having a laugh with it.
I was just having a little fun after dark, thought we could use a laugh with all the rain and tiny tornadoes this week. The small red light on my speedlight created those eyes and you can see the light reflecting off of my thumb during a long exposure.
I wouldn't place this one in my portfolio but it does have it's own uses such as comic relief. Monsters!
oh BTW cool image
, but at least you are sharing it 
