DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
p.1 #1DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
Blue PlayaI have photographed in Death Valley National Park for almost three decades. I have heard whispered rumors of this remarkable “Blue Playa” for years, but no one would share anything definite about it. All I knew was that somewhere in a remote and seldom-visited area of this vast park there was purportedly a small playa featuring astonishingly colorful soil which, in the right lighting conditions, is so blue that it rivals the color of a clear sky. This has been on my mind for years.
Since those who know weren’t talking, it was clear that I’d have to do some sleuthing. All I knew was that the place is remote, surrounded by difficult mountains, and not terribly large. Out of respect for the feature — and concern about potential damage should the location become widely known — I’m going to omit specific details. But here’s as much of the story as I can share publicly. (The story of finding this location continues here.)
Apr 01, 2026 at 09:05 AM
p.1 #3DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
Wonderful find! Thanks for not sharing. I'm heading out there next week. I'll be on Blue patrol....
Apr 01, 2026 at 11:37 AM
p.1 #4DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
Cool abstract shot Dan, I really like it and the way you composed it! Almost looks like blue lichen. I also enjoyed reading your blog post about getting there.
Apr 01, 2026 at 01:54 PM
p.1 #5DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
Artistic expression is great and beautiful
Apr 01, 2026 at 04:31 PM
p.1 #6DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
What a find! As the I Ching says, "Perseverence furthers"! Well worth the effort and nicely presented.
Apr 01, 2026 at 05:39 PM
p.1 #7DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
Nice find Dan! Congratulations! Quite amazing what nature can produce...
jacob
jacob
Apr 01, 2026 at 08:31 PM
p.1 #8DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
Do you now what creats the blue? Copper?
Apr 02, 2026 at 10:56 AM
p.1 #9DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
guidostow wrote:
Stunning image Dan!
It is an unbelievable scene, isn't it?
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Jeffrey wrote:
Wonderful find! Thanks for not sharing. I'm heading out there next week. I'll be on Blue patrol....
Let me know what you find!
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adventure_photo wrote:
Cool abstract shot Dan, I really like it and the way you composed it! Almost looks like blue lichen. I also enjoyed reading your blog post about getting there.
Reading that post is important to understanding this image.
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junglialoh wrote:
Artistic expression is great and beautiful
Thanks.
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Monika C wrote:
What a find! As the I Ching says, "Perseverence furthers"! Well worth the effort and nicely presented.
Perseverance is, uh, part of it. ;-)
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jm10_former wrote:
Nice find Dan! Congratulations! Quite amazing what nature can produce...
jacob
Thanks. And, yes, that too!
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Monika C wrote:
Do you now what creats the blue? Copper?
There are many ways to create that blue, but I'm afraid that my geological knowledge isn't all that great, at least not at that level. :-)
Stunning image Dan!
It is an unbelievable scene, isn't it?
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Jeffrey wrote:
Wonderful find! Thanks for not sharing. I'm heading out there next week. I'll be on Blue patrol....
Let me know what you find!
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adventure_photo wrote:
Cool abstract shot Dan, I really like it and the way you composed it! Almost looks like blue lichen. I also enjoyed reading your blog post about getting there.
Reading that post is important to understanding this image.
---------------------------------------------
junglialoh wrote:
Artistic expression is great and beautiful
Thanks.
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Monika C wrote:
What a find! As the I Ching says, "Perseverence furthers"! Well worth the effort and nicely presented.
Perseverance is, uh, part of it. ;-)
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jm10_former wrote:
Nice find Dan! Congratulations! Quite amazing what nature can produce...
jacob
Thanks. And, yes, that too!
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Monika C wrote:
Do you now what creats the blue? Copper?
There are many ways to create that blue, but I'm afraid that my geological knowledge isn't all that great, at least not at that level. :-)
Apr 02, 2026 at 11:05 AM
p.1 #10DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
Amazing Dan. Beautiful picture and fun story. I love finding stuff like this so will likely waste hours looking for it 
Do you know what causes the blue?
Do you know what causes the blue?
Apr 02, 2026 at 02:15 PM
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p.1 #11DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
dakel wrote:
Amazing Dan. Beautiful picture and fun story. I love finding stuff like this so will likely waste hours looking for it
Do you know what causes the blue?
I’m not certain, not being a geologist, but in this case I think that copper phthalocyanine might end up being a contributor.
Amazing Dan. Beautiful picture and fun story. I love finding stuff like this so will likely waste hours looking for it
Do you know what causes the blue?
I’m not certain, not being a geologist, but in this case I think that copper phthalocyanine might end up being a contributor.
Apr 02, 2026 at 02:35 PM
p.1 #12DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
That is something very special!! I hope it remains a deep-secret spot for many more years. I imagine finding it was about as good as an explorer finding a gold nugget. Thanks for sharing and keeping it to yourself.
Al
Al
Apr 02, 2026 at 08:36 PM
p.1 #14DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
Al Trujillo wrote:
That is something very special!! I hope it remains a deep-secret spot for many more years. I imagine finding it was about as good as an explorer finding a gold nugget. Thanks for sharing and keeping it to yourself.
Al
I doubt if anyone else is going to find it!
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rbf_ wrote:
Very nice photo and find Dan!
Thanks! Pretty unbelievable, right?
That is something very special!! I hope it remains a deep-secret spot for many more years. I imagine finding it was about as good as an explorer finding a gold nugget. Thanks for sharing and keeping it to yourself.
Al
I doubt if anyone else is going to find it!
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rbf_ wrote:
Very nice photo and find Dan!
Thanks! Pretty unbelievable, right?
Apr 03, 2026 at 09:57 PM
p.1 #15DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
gdanmitchell wrote:
AlI doubt if anyone else is going to find it!
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Thanks! Pretty unbelievable, right?
Sounds like quite an adventure and find.
Edited on Apr 04, 2026 at 10:31 AM · View previous versions
Al Trujillo wrote
That is something very special!! I hope it remains a deep-secret spot for many more years. I imagine finding it was about as good as an explorer finding a gold nugget. Thanks for sharing and keeping it to yourself.Al
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rbf_ wrote
Very nice photo and find Dan!Sounds like quite an adventure and find.
Edited on Apr 04, 2026 at 10:31 AM · View previous versions
Apr 04, 2026 at 08:57 AM
p.1 #16DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
Stunning composition Dan!
Did you toast your composition with a Corona and lime?
Again SUPER!
Dan2
Did you toast your composition with a Corona and lime?
Again SUPER!
Dan2
Apr 04, 2026 at 09:47 AM
p.1 #17DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
Danpbphoto wrote:
Stunning composition Dan!
Did you toast your composition with a Corona and lime?
Again SUPER!
Dan2
:-)
No Coronas or limes were handy when I did this.
Stunning composition Dan!
Did you toast your composition with a Corona and lime?
Again SUPER!
Dan2
:-)
No Coronas or limes were handy when I did this.
Apr 04, 2026 at 06:33 PM
p.1 #19DEVA: Finding the “Blue Playa”
keepclicking wrote:
Great find.....Lovely capture
Thanks. I doubt anyone else is going to stumble on this.
In other news, I'm still working through photographs from our February visit to DEVA, and it looks like I'll have another batch (or two?) to share before long.
Great find.....Lovely capture
Thanks. I doubt anyone else is going to stumble on this.
In other news, I'm still working through photographs from our February visit to DEVA, and it looks like I'll have another batch (or two?) to share before long.
Apr 05, 2026 at 10:06 PM