Saturday, April 19, 2008

White Sands National Monument, New Mexico



In February 2006, a few months after moving to New Mexico, we took a family trip to White Sands National Monument in the southern part of the state. The clouds were moving quickly that day on the strong prevailing winds that push the pure white gypsum sands constantly eastwards. The sands are cool even in summer and they really do feel and crunch like snow, except that they are not icy cold. Sledding down the steep, leeward side of the sand dunes is a popular activity for all ages.

This photo of White Sands exemplifies what I love about photography in New Mexico: crystalline air that lets you see mountains as far away as 150 miles etched sharp against a huge sky, and cloud formations that are never the same. And did I mention the light? Colors glow vividly and the sunrise and sunset reflect crimson against spectacular rock formations. I took this photograph in the mid afternoon, the sunlight etching sharp contrasts against the brilliant white sands.

Radzfoto

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