The White Sands

The largest gypsum dune field in the world is located at White Sands National Monument in south-central New Mexico. This region of glistening white dunes is in the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert within an "internally drained valley" called the Tularosa Basin. The monument is about 4000 feet above sea level, and the dune fields are approximately 275 square miles. 

This dune field is very dynamic, with the most active dunes moving to the northeast at a rate of up to 30 feet per year, while the more stable areas of sand move very little. The pure gypsum (hydrous calcium sulfate) that forms these unusual dunes originates in the western portion of the monument from an ephemeral lake or playa with a very high mineral content. As the water evaporates (theoretically as much as 80" per year!), the minerals are left behind to form gypsum deposits that eventually are wind-transported to form these white sand dunes.

Many species of plants and animals have developed very specialized means of surviving in this area of cold winters, hot summers, with very little surface water and highly mineralized ground water.

White Sands National Monument

New Mexico

November 28, 2014

Picture 1 = white sands at sunrise

What I learned is - during sunrise and sunset, the white sands look very similar to regular (yellow) sand dunes due to the low angle of sunlight.  Only when they are under direct sunlight, you'd see their pure white color.  So, against all photography teachings, I took some wonderful shots in the middle of the day under the bright sunlight.  Throw away your photography books and ENJOY life!