Saturday, January 31, 2009

Shadow Sighting at White Sands Monument

Shhh....A Shadow Sighting Occurred at White Sands Monument (New Mexico)

Well, there may have been MORE than one sighting...

(to get a larger view of the image, click on it)

What happens when two avid photographers go on a road trip to spend a weekend in the southern part of New Mexico for the sheer purpose of spending the entire weekend photographing the White Sands Monument?

First of all the entire trip is planned around being at the dunes at sunset and sunrise. They check the weather reports. They make notes on when the sun sets and rises each day. They plan to be there at each of those events to maximize their time. Freshly charged camera batteries? Check. Extra memory flash cards? Check. Tripods? Check. Several camera lenses? Check. Food for the road so they don't have to stop to eat? Check. Maps? Check. Water? Check. A way to download images in the evening when they get back? Check.

We both had to resist stopping too much on the way down for picture taking so that we could get there for the sunset. It was glorious! I'll post those later. These are from the next day (last Sunday) when we arrived there as soon as the park opened. In fact. we were the first ones there and waited for the park ranger to clock in and open the gates! The park is huge; white sand dunes as far as the eye could see. Easy to loose yourself there and forget where you are. In fact, Linda and I split off as soon as we got there and didn't' reconvene until two and a half hours later (kind of a dicey thing to do since there is no cell service in that area). No harm done, we emerged unscathed. The reason is, that this park is so amazing and unlike anything else you've ever seen. The raw beauty will captivate you and lure you in. The sunrise was beautiful and the light kept changing. Much like a game of pursuit. I was enthralled with the area that I wandered into. Not a soul in sight (heck, we were the only ones there for quite some time before others came into the park).

Linda says she's only been there four times. What a slacker! I've lived in New Mexico for fourteen and a half years and this was my FIRST trip there.

I'll be posting more on this trip, so be sure to stop back. It is Linda's goal to trek out once a month (a goal for herself; I was just tagging along) photographing the beauty of the new Mexico landscapes. If I'm lucky enough, I'll be able to join up on some of these trips. All will be posted under the label: "New Mexico Treasures" in case you want to check back.

But, hey, I really did sidetrack this time! The whole point of this post was for Shadows in participation of Shadow Shot Sunday (click on it to see other participants entries).

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a tease! I want to see more photos from your field trip! This one's very nice, of course, but where are the scenic sunrise ones? Thanks!

Hey Harriet said...

A lovely and interesting shadow shot. At first glance I thought it was of a footprint in the sand. I'm not quite sure my guess is correct now. Whatever it is, it's a great shot!

I'll be checking back in for for more pics from your trip. Sounds like a fun adventure and a top spot for taking photos :)

Chubby Chieque said...

WOW! I thought this shot was on a top of a mountain covered w/ snow.

White sand? uh..uh! not in my thoughts. But this is just amazing shot, Lady! Wonderful!

A Wild Thing said...

I love the desert, especially sunrise/sunset, there is nothing more inspiring and mystical then the winds blowing across the sands, sorta surreal...you can feel the power of the Universe in your bones!

Wonderful shadow, good eye!

sharon

SandraRee said...

Awesome shadow shot!

Noner said...

Interesting shot. Like the footprint, and thought it was snow at first also.

I've played at http://myordinarythings.blogspot.com

Rosebud Collection said...

I thought the foot shadow was really creative..Very unique..
Good job..Happy SSS..

Leau said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip. My dad lived and worked down there when I was a child and I have great memories of the whole area. Great shots as well. Did you guys make it up to Sunspot, the observatory? Worth the trip up the mountain. smooches

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

What a great shadow.....just love it! We can't wait to see what else you saw....it sounds fabulous!

Ice Pony Girl said...

LOVE IT!

Anonymous said...

you are having so much fun with your camera!!!! good for you and i will look forward to those photographs. wow this would be quite the adventure!
xo

Susan English Mason said...

I've been to New Mexico and it is beautiful. There are so many great places here in Arizona; I have list a mile long. Isn't the southwest grand?

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