Death Valley & Eastern Sierras 2016
Isolated Dune, Mesquite Flats Dunes
One of the appeals of photographing sand dunes is the simplified nature of the subject. Focusing on this one dune and my key light source behind the dune I was able to capture a range of color you don't normally see in one isolated dune,thanks to reflected and bounced light on the camera and dune.
Caleb Westoncaliforniacolorcontoursdeath valley national parkdesertexpressivelandscapelightsmesquite dunesnaturesandsand dunestexture
Long Shadows on the Dunes, Death Valley
Caleb Westonbluebrushcaliforniacolorcontourscontrastdeath valley national parkdesertgolden hourmesquite dunessandsand dunesshadowstexture
Hidden Lakebed, Mesquite Flats
The nooks and low points in the sand dunes can be as interesting as the dunes themselves. The Mesquite Flat sand dunes actually cover an ancient lakebed that can still be seen in little pockets of the dune field.
Caleb Westonblue hourcaliforniacloudscracksdeath valley national parkdesertdrylandscapemesquite dunesnatureoutdoorsandsand dunes
Red Velvet Mites on a Desert Five Spot
My trip to Death Valley was too late in the season to see the super-bloom, but I did see something I had never seen before, all the wildflowers were infested with tiny little red specks. I used my macro extension tube to get a better look and saw what looked like freaky red ticks. Doing a little research on the Internet I found out they are red velvet mites.
Caleb Westonbugscaliforniacloseupdeath valley national parkdesertdesert five spotdetailflowerinsectmacrored velvet mitewildflower
Gravel Ghost, Death Valley
On my trip to Death Valley I was hoping to get some great detail shots of the wildflowers with my extension tube. However finding a flower that wasn't infested with mites was a challenge. Next time I'll make sure to go earlier in the wildflower season.
Caleb Westonbugscaliforniacloseupdeath valley national parkdesertdetailgravel ghostinsectmacrored velvet mitetexturewhitewildfloweryellow
Waiting for the sun to rise in the Alabama Hills
Caleb Westonalabama hillsblue hourcaliforniacoloreastern sierrashighway 395landscapelone pinelone pine peakmoonmount whitneymountainsmovie locationsrockssierra nevadasnowsunrisetravel
Sunset on the Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes in DeathValley National Park
Caleb Westonblueblue hourcaliforniacloudscolordeath valley national parkdesertmesquite dunessandsand dunessunsetwisps
Mud Cracks in Gower Gulch in DeathValley National Park
I am drawn to textures and patterns I find on my many adventures, and the variety cracks in this dried flow was an intriguing subject. This was taken about 3 months after most of the rain storms passed through Death Valley
Caleb Westoncaliforniacracksdeath valley national parkdesertdetaildrygower gulchmudnatureoutdoorpatterntexture
Wash Debris, Gower Gulch
Caleb WestonRockcaliforniacracksdeath valley national parkdesertdrylooking downmudnatureoutdoor
Sunrise, Alabama Hills
A favorite destination of mine to visit since it's far enough from the Los Angeles metro area to be a destination but close enough that it doesn't take all day to get there. The proximity to LA also makes it a popular location for film productions. In fact just 100 yards from this rock formation I photographed a production crew was setting up for a shoot.
Caleb Westonalabama hillscaliforniaeastern sierralone pinerockssierra nevadasunrise
Badwater, Death Valley
At 282 feet below sea level it's the lowest point in North America. Normally this place covered it what looks like giant octagonal cobblestones but I think the recent water from last fall soften all those edges and salt crystals.
Caleb Westonbadwaterbluecaliforniacloudscolordeath valley national parkdesertdry lakebedflatlandscapelowest pointmanly basinoutdoorpanamint mountainssaltsunset
Sunrise at Zabriske Point
Early morning light at one of the more iconic viewpoints in Death Valley
Caleb Westonbluecaliforniacolorcontoursdeath valley national parkdesertdrygower gulchmountainspanamint mountainsridgessunrisezabriske point
Zabriske Point, Death Valley National Park
Caleb Westoncaliforniadeath valley national parkdesertfullmoongower gulchmanly beaconmoonmoonsetnational parkpanoramicsunrisezabriske point