Mustard Canyon. © Copyright 2012 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.
Evening light on the Mustard Canyon area in Death Valley National Park.
This is a place that I photograph from time to time. It isn’t far from spots where I camp, so it isn’t unusual to pass by as I head out or return from some more distant location. A few years ago I stopped and climbed a low hill there late in the day, found it magical, and the hill — which might seem like nothing special to others — is one of my little personal spots in Death Valley. From here the panorama is expansive in all directions, and the slight elevation of the place lets me see even farther.
The view here begins in the foreground with the Mustard Canyon area. The mustard part of the name makes sense — in the ideal light the formations are strikingly yellow. The canyon part seems a bit of a stretch. I’m sure that there is a route followed by water heading out into the valley, but it seems more like a wash than a canyon. The rugged foreground, filled with alternating yellow and reddish material, eventually gives way to giant alluvial fans, and in the far distance the terrain rises to the Amargosa Mountains.
G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books and Amazon.
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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.
I can see that. Sometimes photographs lie! If it had been a midday photograph it might have looked a bit more like the actual season, though the desert landscape of Death Valley can look relatively similar throughout the year, especially in barren spots like this one.
Very interesting! I was thinking it was in October or November because of the autumny warmth!
Hi, and thanks for your comments.
This was made in the dead of winter, in early January back in 2012. It was one of the coldest weeks I have ever experienced in Death Valley, though that is not obvious in this photograph since it was made in “warm” late-day light.
Dan
Could you please tell me what time of year this picture was taken? Absolutely beautiful light and color!