Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are at the northern end of the valley floor and are nearly surrounded by mountains on all sides. The primary source of the dune sands is probably the Cottonwood Mountains which lie to the north and northwest. The tiny grains of quartz and feldspar that form the sinuous sculptures that make up this dune field began as much larger pieces of solid rock. In between many of the dunes are stands of creosote bush on the sand and on dried mud, which used to cover this part of the valley before the dunes intruded.
Shadows on Death Valley Sand Dunes
The Castle at Capitol Reef
One of the wonderful National Parks found in the West. A majestic view of Capitol Reef from Panorama Point.
Thor's Hammer in Bryce Canyon
Thor's Hammer, the left side of the photo, at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. Thor's Hammer is a spectacular example of a hoodoo, which is sometimes referred to as a tent rock or fairy chimney. They form because of erosion processes and may be found in badland areas whenever relatively hard rock overlays softer more erodible rock, such as sandstone. Thors Hammer is one the Iconic hoodoos in Bryce Canyon and can be seen from Navajo Trail.
Bull between Bugles
This large bull Elk was in between bugles during autumn rutting season in Rocky Mountain National Park. What a wonderful experience for us to watch and listen.
Bull Elk Resting in Grass
A large bull elk relaxing on a late September morning in the high Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Moon over Badlands Rock
Catching the moon rise over one of the rock formations in Badlands National Park. It is exciting to get a photo of the moon as it rises above your point of interest.
Waves at Sunset on Rabbit Key
A beautiful Gulf Coast Sunset from Rabbit Key in Everglades National Park. Storms had moved passed and provided splendid color and light in the western skies over the Gulf of Mexico.
Serene Scene on Tiger Key
The calm photo as dark clouds work their way through the Gulf of Mexico from Tiger Key in Everglades National Park.It is rewarding to absorb the peaceful ambiance of the natural Florida landscape and not the large urban congestion to the north and east of the park.
Seaweed on Mangrove Roots at Low Tide
Relaxing on Tiger Key beach, I watched the tide move down he beach and expose the mangrove roots, shells and remnant seaweed. I enjoyed the calm afternoon sun in the shade of the trees as the salty breeze kept the sand fleas away.
Driftwood on Tiger key Beach
You can find interesting driftwood on the beaches of the Keys in Everglades National Park. I was exploring the Gulf facing beach on Tiger Key when I came across this specimen. It reminded me of the old sailing drawings of the giant serpents in the sea with the large head out of the water and their tail surfacing behind. It is not to let our imagination out to play.
Rays of Light on the Gulf of Mexico
The light was coming through the storm clouds casting rays on the Gulf of Mexico while a I rested on Tiger Key in Everglades National Park. It was a beautiful evening with a soft salty breeze coming off the ocean and cooling me on the silky white beach.
Contemplation of the Night on Tiger Key
During the day we explored Everglades National Park but after midnight I was alone on the beach to explore my thoughts. No better place and time to sort through your life and problems and come to a balanced place.
Grove of Mangrove Trees on Tiger Key
I love the different formations of mangrove trees in the Everglades National Park’s Keys. I couldn’t help but use them as focal subjects for my photographs. Coming from the Colorado Rockies, these swamp/marsh forests are super cool.
Mangrove Tree Off of Rabbit Key
One of the cool aspects of exploring Ten Thousand Islands in Everglades National Park is the plethora of Mangroves that are present there. The Gulf of Mexico is very shallow in the area and tides can expose large expanses of beach when they recede. Trees can thrive out in these sections as long as the top of their roots remain exposed to the air. This presents some interesting opportunities for unique subjects in photography that are not available in other locations.
Drying Nautical Map on Rabbit Key
When we made it to Rabbit Key (camp site) in Everglades National Park, it is time to unpack the gear from the kayaks and dry things out. This includes the essential nautical map for the area. We all have electronic GPS but it is important to also have a secondary map in case you run out of power or your GPS is malfunctioning. You must know how to read the map and use a compass.
Campfire on Tiger Key
We kayaked to Tiger Key in Everglades National Park and spent 2 wonderful evenings on the beach looking up at the stars. Late at night the guys headed off to sleep and I stayed up a watched the campfire die down to embers. The stars blanketed me overhead and the quiet settled on Ten Thousand Islands and soon I would be in my tent sound asleep.
Sunset Peaking through Clouds on Tiger Key
Listening to the waves roll on to the white beach and looking up through the mangroves to see the sunset happening on Tiger Key was a fabulous moment. Everglades National Park has numerous locations to get away from Florida’s crowds and just absorb nature's beauty. Ten Thousand Islands is a prime location to experience the setting sun dip below the Gulf of Mexico.
Beauty of a Crashing Wave
I sat on Tiger Key Beach and watched the evening waves crash into the sand and this stump. I was fascinated by the water drops shooting up from the waves as it hit the immovable object. The sound of the waves and the sight of the crash was so cool. Having lived my whole life in the desert southwest, I am seduced by the ocean and sauntering on the gulf coast.
Crab Gang Massing on Beach
This mass of Fiddler Crabs swarmed the beach during low tide on Tiger Key in Everglades National Park in Florida. It was fun watching them fiddle around and feed in the sand. They were very focused on their task but if you moved toward them they would scurry up the beach and hide. Their eyes were very acute to any movement.