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Sandy summer views mostly from Death Valley.
Never a bad trip there. Sand never gets boring, even with clear skies.
#3 was just after a sand storm passed through, literally, I was inside my SUV and waiting to photograph it. Some opportunities are better than others, but the experience was memorable. You want the photo opportunities, but you don't want to be in a zero visibility disorienting 30mph+ sandblasting session for an hour. So there has to be a balance. While this sandblasting only lasted under 15 minutes, I was in another one that lasted closer to an hour.
Once got stuck in a sand storm driving back from AZ. Terrifying experience. Made it through OK, but later learned there were a couple of fatalities due to it.
Thank you Fred.
I would definitely pull over before a sand storm would reach me, as part of photo planning, but sometimes it can arrive surprisingly fast.
Fred Amico wrote:
Beautiful images!
Once got stuck in a sand storm driving back from AZ. Terrifying experience. Made it through OK, but later learned there were a couple of fatalities due to it.
Surprisingly my first day on the dunes, years ago, in May, has been most rewarding in keeper count, there were just opportunities left and right within a 2 hour window.
guidostow wrote:
These are just killin' it! So fine!
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The windy flying sand (not a sandstorm) during recurring gusts can be quite harsh, but a sandstorm can be brutal if you get caught in it without a cover.
BPsmith511 wrote:
Have had the misfortune of being caught on those dunes during a sandstorm, although nothing like the middle east, still not exactly "pleasant"!
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Thank you, I really enjoy playing in sandboxes like these.
junglialoh wrote:
Gorgeous image set technically excellent in composition
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Thank you, I keep wanting to improve some of my past images, which depends on the clouds mostly, the clouds make such a difference here.. and anywhere
KCollett wrote:
Very nice set! #1 and #4 are fantastic.
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Mesquite Dunes, the biggest and most popular, but there are times to have privacy, or at least almost (can't see anyone far away) privacy. That makes for special times when it's just the heat, wind, changing sand patterns.
I have been to the other dunes, but found Mesquite Dunes having the most variety, sunrise or sunset, close and far compositions, and a more fulfilling experience, it feels like the right place to be. On a 2 week trip in Death Valley, 80% focus on sand dunes feels like the right balance for me. I don't get tired of them.
WiseTioga wrote:
Very nice work. Thank you for posting. By the way, what Dunes?
Beautiful photos of the dunes in DV. The sandstorm erased any footprints, so the dunes are perfect. On my last visit there, my windshield got damaged by a sandstorm as we were leaving. It had to be replaced. Next time I'm flying and renting a car.
Beautiful photos of the dunes in DV. The sandstorm erased any footprints, so the dunes are perfect. On my last visit there, my windshield got damaged by a sandstorm as we were leaving. It had to be replaced. Next time I'm flying and renting a car.
The Mesquite Dunes have always been mobbed when I have been there. People and their foot prints everywhere within minutes of sunrise. You seem to have been lucky to be there just after a clearing wind and before the mob arrived, although #5 appears to have some foot prints.
