Shadows in the Great Sand Dunes
Mar 28, 2017 13:03:13 #
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is located about 15 miles northeast of Alamosa, Colorado. The base is at around 8000' elevation. The dunes have been accumulating in a pocket of the Sangre de Christo mountain range for about 12,000 years. One explanation is that it is formed from particles from the gradual natural demolition of the San Juan Mountains to the southwest. A related phenomenon is the wash away of sand by the Medano Creek and Sand Creek around the periphery of the dunes. The sand dries and is blown back onto the sand pile by the prevailing southwesterly winds.
The highest point in the dunes is Star Dune, measured at 755' above the base, which makes it the highest sand dune in North America (Peru has much taller dunes.)
I had done my research and timed our visit to be in the late afternoon which allows the shadows to become more prominent. I did not climb up onto the high dunes but used my energy to move laterally and capture more different ridges and shadows. The textures are fascinating and constantly changing.
Note: camera times are wrong.
The highest point in the dunes is Star Dune, measured at 755' above the base, which makes it the highest sand dune in North America (Peru has much taller dunes.)
I had done my research and timed our visit to be in the late afternoon which allows the shadows to become more prominent. I did not climb up onto the high dunes but used my energy to move laterally and capture more different ridges and shadows. The textures are fascinating and constantly changing.
Note: camera times are wrong.
First Shot Around 3 PM
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Low Snowpack Means Low Flow
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Footsteps Enroute
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Wind and Water Sculpture
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Patterns 1
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Particles in the Air
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Sand Blow 2
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More Dune Tracks
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Shadows Lengthening
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Driving Away...Longer Shadows
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Mar 28, 2017 13:17:27 #
Mar 28, 2017 13:24:27 #
Mar 28, 2017 14:16:22 #
Excellent Dave, love the contours, textures and light. Interesting information too. 
Mar 28, 2017 14:30:41 #
Mar 28, 2017 14:50:39 #
Mar 28, 2017 14:51:17 #
Mar 28, 2017 15:55:22 #
davefales wrote:
Thanks, Douglass.
Thanks, Sylvia. I recommend it for your next trip to the American Southwest...but not in the summer. Temps on the sand go to 150 degrees F.
Mar 28, 2017 15:56:43 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Nice collection. Shadows are great.
Thanks for looking, Jerry. I wish I had stayed later to see the shadows grow...but my partner had had enough.
Mar 28, 2017 15:57:12 #
novnan wrote:
great shot, unique place, like the lines and shadows
Definitely unique. Thanks for commenting.
Mar 28, 2017 15:59:14 #
angler wrote:
Superb shots Dave.
Glad you liked them, Jim. You have fabulous old buildings, and we have fabulous old geology. Makes for good sharing.
Mar 28, 2017 16:09:14 #
davefales wrote:
Thanks, Sylvia. I recommend it for your next trip to the American Southwest...but not in the summer. Temps on the sand go to 150 degrees F.
I soon found out how hot the sand was in Death Valley when we stopped to take some shots of the dunes! I sat on the sand to get a low angle and burnt my bot!!!
Mar 28, 2017 21:04:00 #
Superb series; the contours of the dunes are beautiful photographed. Well done!
Mar 29, 2017 06:05:36 #
Mar 29, 2017 08:24:39 #
Sylvias wrote:
I soon found out how hot the sand was in Death Valley when we stopped to take some shots of the dunes! I sat on the sand to get a low angle and burnt my bot!!!
Nasty surprise there. And DV can go to 130+ air temp. Hope you had ice nearby.
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