Desert photos

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Parry's Nolina, or Giant Nolina, a flowering plant native to southern California and Arizona founds in deserts and mountains to 6200'. It can reach 6' in height with its flowering inflorescence reaching 12', Nolina parryi, Joshua Tree National Park
Parry's Nolina, or Giant Nolina, a flowering plant native to southern California and Arizona founds in deserts and mountains to 6200'. It can reach 6' in height with its flowering inflorescence reaching 12'.
Species: Parry's nolina, Nolina parryi
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 26725  
Sunset on the Eureka Dunes.  The Eureka Valley Sand Dunes are California's tallest sand dunes, and one of the tallest in the United States.  Rising 680' above the floor of the Eureka Valley, the Eureka sand dunes are home to several endangered species, as well as "singing sand" that makes strange sounds when it shifts.  Located in the remote northern portion of Death Valley National Park, the Eureka Dunes see very few visitors
Sunset on the Eureka Dunes. The Eureka Valley Sand Dunes are California's tallest sand dunes, and one of the tallest in the United States. Rising 680' above the floor of the Eureka Valley, the Eureka sand dunes are home to several endangered species, as well as "singing sand" that makes strange sounds when it shifts. Located in the remote northern portion of Death Valley National Park, the Eureka Dunes see very few visitors.
Location: Eureka Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California
Image ID: 25240  
Eureka Dunes.  The Eureka Valley Sand Dunes are California's tallest sand dunes, and one of the tallest in the United States.  Rising 680' above the floor of the Eureka Valley, the Eureka sand dunes are home to several endangered species, as well as "singing sand" that makes strange sounds when it shifts.  Located in the remote northern portion of Death Valley National Park, the Eureka Dunes see very few visitors
Eureka Dunes. The Eureka Valley Sand Dunes are California's tallest sand dunes, and one of the tallest in the United States. Rising 680' above the floor of the Eureka Valley, the Eureka sand dunes are home to several endangered species, as well as "singing sand" that makes strange sounds when it shifts. Located in the remote northern portion of Death Valley National Park, the Eureka Dunes see very few visitors.
Location: Eureka Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California
Image ID: 25241  
Milky Way over Joshua Tree National Park
Milky Way over Joshua Tree National Park.
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 28411  
The Milky Way stretches across the sky above Arch Rock in Joshua Tree National Park
The Milky Way stretches across the sky above Arch Rock in Joshua Tree National Park.
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 28407  
Sailing stone on the Racetrack Playa. The sliding rocks, or sailing stones, move across the mud flats of the Racetrack Playa, leaving trails behind in the mud. The explanation for their movement is not known with certainty, but many believe wind pushes the rocks over wet and perhaps icy mud in winter, Death Valley National Park, California
Sailing stone on the Racetrack Playa. The sliding rocks, or sailing stones, move across the mud flats of the Racetrack Playa, leaving trails behind in the mud. The explanation for their movement is not known with certainty, but many believe wind pushes the rocks over wet and perhaps icy mud in winter.
Location: Racetrack Playa, Death Valley National Park, California
Image ID: 27691  
Milky Way over Joshua Tree National Park at Astronomical Twilight, Pre-dawn
Milky Way over Joshua Tree National Park at Astronomical Twilight, Pre-dawn.
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 28414  
Sunrise in Joshua Tree National Park, Yucca brevifolia
Sunrise in Joshua Tree National Park.
Species: Joshua tree, Yucca brevifolia
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 22101  
Brittlebush at sunrise, dawn, springtime bloom, Palm Canyon, Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Encelia farinosa, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California
Brittlebush at sunrise, dawn, springtime bloom, Palm Canyon, Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
Species: Brittlebush, Encelia farinosa
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California
Image ID: 24301  
Boulders and sunset in Joshua Tree National Park.  The warm sunlight gently lights unusual boulder formations at Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park, California
Boulders and sunset in Joshua Tree National Park. The warm sunlight gently lights unusual boulder formations at Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park, California.
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 26720  
Boulders and sunset in Joshua Tree National Park.  The warm sunlight gently lights unusual boulder formations at Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park, California
Boulders and sunset in Joshua Tree National Park. The warm sunlight gently lights unusual boulder formations at Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park, California.
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 26730  
The Milky Way galaxy above Arch Rock, Joshua Tree National Park, night star field exposure
The Milky Way galaxy above Arch Rock, Joshua Tree National Park, night star field exposure.
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 26862  
Perseid Meteor Shower over Joshua Tree National Park, Aug 13, 2014
Perseid Meteor Shower over Joshua Tree National Park, Aug 13, 2014.
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 31145  
Salt polygons.  After winter flooding, the salt on the Badwater Basin playa dries into geometric polygonal shapes, Death Valley National Park, California
Salt polygons. After winter flooding, the salt on the Badwater Basin playa dries into geometric polygonal shapes.
Location: Badwater, Death Valley National Park, California
Image ID: 25242  
Dried mud, arid land, Eureka Valley, Death Valley National Park, California
Dried mud, arid land, Eureka Valley.
Location: Eureka Valley, Death Valley National Park, California
Image ID: 25244  
Spring wildflower blooms on the Eureka sand dunes, Eureka Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California
Spring wildflower blooms on the Eureka sand dunes.
Location: Eureka Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California
Image ID: 25245  
Eureka dune grass, and rare and federally endangered species of grass  endemic to the Eureka Valley and Eureka Sand Dunes.  The Last Chance mountains, lit by sunset, as visible in the distance.  Swallenia alexandrae, a perennial grass, grows only in the southern portion of Eureka Valley Sand Dunes, in Inyo County, California, Swallenia alexandrae, Eureka Dunes, Death Valley National Park
Eureka dune grass, and rare and federally endangered species of grass endemic to the Eureka Valley and Eureka Sand Dunes. The Last Chance mountains, lit by sunset, as visible in the distance. Swallenia alexandrae, a perennial grass, grows only in the southern portion of Eureka Valley Sand Dunes, in Inyo County, California.
Species: Eureka dunegrass, Eureka valley dune grass, Swallenia alexandrae
Location: Eureka Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California
Image ID: 25358  
Racetrack Playa, an ancient lake now dried and covered with dessicated mud, Death Valley National Park, California
Racetrack Playa, an ancient lake now dried and covered with dessicated mud.
Location: Racetrack Playa, Death Valley National Park, California
Image ID: 25264  
Darwin Falls in Death Valley, near the settlement of Panamint Springs.  The falls are fed by a perennial stream that flows through a narrow canyon of plutonic rock, and drop of total of 80' (24m) in two sections, Death Valley National Park, California
Darwin Falls in Death Valley, near the settlement of Panamint Springs. The falls are fed by a perennial stream that flows through a narrow canyon of plutonic rock, and drop of total of 80' (24m) in two sections.
Location: Death Valley National Park, California
Image ID: 27683  
Eureka Dunes.  The Eureka Valley Sand Dunes are California's tallest sand dunes, and one of the tallest in the United States.  Rising 680' above the floor of the Eureka Valley, the Eureka sand dunes are home to several endangered species, as well as "singing sand" that makes strange sounds when it shifts.  Located in the remote northern portion of Death Valley National Park, the Eureka Dunes see very few visitors
Eureka Dunes. The Eureka Valley Sand Dunes are California's tallest sand dunes, and one of the tallest in the United States. Rising 680' above the floor of the Eureka Valley, the Eureka sand dunes are home to several endangered species, as well as "singing sand" that makes strange sounds when it shifts. Located in the remote northern portion of Death Valley National Park, the Eureka Dunes see very few visitors.
Location: Eureka Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California
Image ID: 25249  
Sunset over the Racetrack Playa. The Cottonwood Mountains rise above the flat, dry, ancient lake bed, Death Valley National Park, California
Sunset over the Racetrack Playa. The Cottonwood Mountains rise above the flat, dry, ancient lake bed.
Location: Racetrack Playa, Death Valley National Park, California
Image ID: 25265  
Sunset and boulders, Joshua Tree National Park.  Sunset lights the giant boulders and rock formations near Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree N.P
Sunset and boulders, Joshua Tree National Park. Sunset lights the giant boulders and rock formations near Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree N.P.
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 26734  
Panorama dimensions: 5431 x 11571
Star trails and Arch Rock.  Polaris, the North Star, is at the center of the circular arc star trails as they pass above this natural stone archway in Joshua Tree National Park
Star trails and Arch Rock. Polaris, the North Star, is at the center of the circular arc star trails as they pass above this natural stone archway in Joshua Tree National Park.
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 26794  
Salt polygons. After winter flooding, the salt on the Badwater Basin playa dries into geometric polygonal shapes, Death Valley National Park, California
Salt polygons. After winter flooding, the salt on the Badwater Basin playa dries into geometric polygonal shapes.
Location: Badwater, Death Valley National Park, California
Image ID: 27631  
Racetrack sailing stone and Milky Way, at night. A sliding rock of the Racetrack Playa. The sliding rocks, or sailing stones, move across the mud flats of the Racetrack Playa, leaving trails behind in the mud. The explanation for their movement is not known with certainty, but many believe wind pushes the rocks over wet and perhaps icy mud in winter, Death Valley National Park, California
Racetrack sailing stone and Milky Way, at night. A sliding rock of the Racetrack Playa. The sliding rocks, or sailing stones, move across the mud flats of the Racetrack Playa, leaving trails behind in the mud. The explanation for their movement is not known with certainty, but many believe wind pushes the rocks over wet and perhaps icy mud in winter.
Location: Racetrack Playa, Death Valley National Park, California
Image ID: 27640  
Racetrack sailing stone and star trails.  A sliding rock of the Racetrack Playa. The sliding rocks, or sailing stones, move across the mud flats of the Racetrack Playa, leaving trails behind in the mud. The explanation for their movement is not known with certainty, but many believe wind pushes the rocks over wet and perhaps icy mud in winter, Death Valley National Park, California
Racetrack sailing stone and star trails. A sliding rock of the Racetrack Playa. The sliding rocks, or sailing stones, move across the mud flats of the Racetrack Playa, leaving trails behind in the mud. The explanation for their movement is not known with certainty, but many believe wind pushes the rocks over wet and perhaps icy mud in winter.
Location: Racetrack Playa, Death Valley National Park, California
Image ID: 27667  
Boulders and stars, moonlight in Joshua Tree National Park. The moon gently lights unusual boulder formations at Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park, California
Boulders and stars, moonlight in Joshua Tree National Park. The moon gently lights unusual boulder formations at Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park, California.
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 27716  
Live Oak and Milky Way, rocks and stars, Joshua Tree National Park at night
Live Oak and Milky Way, rocks and stars, Joshua Tree National Park at night.
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 28424  
Hardened mud playa and sand dunes, dawn, Mesquite dunes, Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley National Park, California
Hardened mud playa and sand dunes, dawn, Mesquite dunes.
Location: Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley National Park, California
Image ID: 28679  
Arch Rock in Joshua Tree National Park.  A natural stone arch in the White Tank area of Joshua Tree N.P
Arch Rock in Joshua Tree National Park. A natural stone arch in the White Tank area of Joshua Tree N.P.
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 26748  
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All photographs copyright © Phillip Colla / Oceanlight.com, all rights reserved worldwide.