Scriptures - To the Glory of God

"Birth of a Continent"

April 2003, Death Valley, California

During midday scouting at Death Valley, I came across this beautiful patch of playa sticking up through the sand of the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. I imagined that the desert was giving birth to a brand new continent, and I was there to bear witness of the event. I made a mental note of the location, and then returned a few hours later to shoot the scene right at sunset, when the colors would be the most vibrant. All went as planned as the soft golden light of the setting sun turned the desert floor to a beautiful shade of red.

The Funeral Mountains can be seen rising in the background to the northeast. Morbid connotations abound in Death Valley, even being used in the naming of the park itself. This is understandable, given the extreme desert environment the area is so famous for. Nonetheless, I consider Death Valley to be a place of extraordinary beauty, as well as a sanctuary for solitude seekers such as myself. As for my newly-discovered continent, I'm waiting to notify the scientific community until I can come up with a good name.

CaliforniaDeath ValleyFuneral MountainsMesquite Flat Sand DunesMojave DesertPlayaSouthwestSouthwestern USASunsetscripture