Creosote Bush and Dunes. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.
A lone creosote bush among sand dunes, Death Valley.
The sand dunes often surprise first-time visitor with much more evidence of life than they might expect. We tend to think of dunes as being…. just sand. They are largely sand, but things live and grow out there, too — from reptiles, birds, and mammals to all kinds of highly adapted plants. In fact, sometimes when I’m trying to photograph a landscape of “just sand” I have to work to keep the other stuff out of the frame!
The bushes are well adapted to the dunes. While the lower branches eventually die and turn brown, in spring the upper portion of the plant can be intensely green and covered with small yellow flowers. On a windless day you might be surprised by the hum of bees swarming the flowers!
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, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.
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