Saturday, August 24, 2013

Sand Mountain and the Playa


 Adventures in an Extraterrestrial Environment


A day trip to Sand Mountain, a large dune of windblown sand measuring 2 miles (3.22 km) long and 600 feet (180 m) high is a journey back in time to a place that on closer inspection, takes on an unworldly appearance.  Sand Mountain, located east of Fallon, Nevada, off US Route 50, is a favorite recreation area for camping, off-roading and hiking.  



However going back in time to the Pleistocene epoch, the Sand Mountain area was once covered by the purival Lake Lahontan.  As the climate began to warm and dry, Lake Lahontan slowly started to evaporate, leaving behind sediment and exposed rocks that gradually weathered in to a mixture of dissolved minerals and salts.   Therefore, the desert playa that is found near Sand Mountain was created 



Desert playa is a salt flat devoid of vegetation.   


 The plants that do manage to grow are shrubs, low to the ground.  



A hole in the playa is perhaps home to one of the Zebra-tailed lizards that are camouflaged to blend in with the surroundings. 

Horizontal lines in the mountain or wave terraces are evidence of the ancient shoreline of Lake Lahontan.  Over time, the windblown sand exposes a surface of gravel or what is known as desert pavement.


Massive volcanism is evidence of the violent past that formed many areas in the Great Basin Desert.

So you might be wondering why the fascination with a hot, dry, dusty area that is almost devoid of color.  The answer lies in a sense of adventure, a challenge with the adaptation of nature and the feel of exploring in an extraterrestrial environment.






What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

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Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.


 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 




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