Racetrack Playa Rocks. Death Valley National Park. April 4, 2006. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell.

In addition to whatever value this photo has as an image, it is instructive about the “moving rocks” phenomenon at the Racetrack Playa.

All over the vast expanse of this remote playa there are rocks that have travelled across its surface. Although no one has seen the rocks move, there is plenty of evidence of their movement. Theories about the process include a very wet and slippery playa surface after rain, high winds, and ice.

In any case, the rocks are thought to come from this rocky outcropping at the south end of the playa. There are many rocks near its base that look like they have just begun their travels, including those in this photo.
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The Online Photographer – Another post in the T.O.P. Top 10 Photos series, this one about the famous photo of jazz greats made in Harlem in 1958 by photographer Art Kane.

Just remarkable. It’s as if all the German and Austrian classical composers had gathered for a group portrait that included Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, or if somehow we could have a group portrait of all the major Italian Renaissance artists gathered together, old Leonardo next to young Raphael, or all the impressionists. Or all of the Athenian philosophers. All would be as august as this group, but none more so.

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Phil just emailed from the UK to say that he enjoys this web site – especially the Yosemite photos. Phil (BigPhilUK at flickr.com) visited the Park twice in the last few years and looks for online photography to satisfy his Yosemite addiction… ;-)
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If anyone in the Bay Area is interested, I may be selling my Canon EF-S 17-85mm IS f4-f5.6 lens. I haven’t decided for sure just yet, but I have other lenses now that cover more or less the same range and it seems a bit redundant.

This is a fine all-around lens for Canon 1.6 crop factor cameras including the 350D, 20D, and 30D. This lens is in great shape, having just returned from the Canon Service Center where the it was cleaned and adjuste. Use the email link at the bottom of the sidebar if you are interested. I much prefer a direct sale to a local buyer who can see and try the lens before purchasing.
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