Sand dunes were the primary reason we were drawn to Namibia
We learned that the Namib is the world's oldest LIVING desert. Many varieties of plants eke out a living on the dunes at NamibRand.
Black and white imagery emphasizes the abstract nature of the sand
If the sand grains are of consistent size ("well-sorted"), the dunes resonate and groan as you walk down... it's quite a visceral experience.
Making tracks in sand of various colors
We found magic at Dune 40, Sossusvlei
The prevailing wind blows from right to left, depositing sand on the lee side, in shadow
We were drawn to the navel
My favorite abstract image of Dune 40
Dead Vlei is one of those Holy Grails that all photographers must seek before they die. We went twice!
At dawn the light takes on an eerie, other-worldly glow
Can you see the figures of dancers among the branches?
Dead Vlei fills with water during especially torrential rains, leaving behind mineral deposits when it inevitably evaporates
These abstract branches belong to long-deceased camelthorn trees, whose immensely deep roots and dense wood assure that they will stand longer dead than alive
Looking north towards Namib-Naukluft National Park
The tracks you see were made by desert-dwelling animals, such as oryx
Dune 1
During our crossing of the Namib desert, the dunes came alive
The geometric forms of the desert become abstract, like charcoal drawings
You'd almost think these were pastel drawings, but they are indeed photographs taken from the air
The colors change as we near the coast. The red sand is from garnet.
The white sand is from granite
If you hadn't seen the previous photos, would you know what you were looking at?
