White Sands Sunrise

Description

I was lucky enough to secure early-entry permits to White Sands National Park, granting us pre-dawn access to the dunes, allowing us to witness the sunrise in solitude, without the usual crowds. The park, located in the heart of the White Sands Missile Range, features the world’s largest gypsum crystal dunes. The sand is a stunning, brilliant white—unlike anything we had seen before.

Setting off on the dunes in the dark and cold of early morning was a unique experience. It felt as if we had the entire park to ourselves, probably because we did. Given that the surrounding area is an active military installation, the sense of isolation was palpable. Once you venture beyond the more frequented areas, the landscape opens up with endless photographic possibilities. The pristine dunes and unique desert vegetation offer an array of captivating scenes.

For this particular image, I kept it simple yet impactful. The composition guides your eye from the pristine white dunes to a solitary desert yucca plant perched on a hill, with a dramatic red and dark sky as a backdrop. It was a truly memorable morning at White Sands National Park.