Gypsum Skies

Story

The vast, endless white dunes stretch as far as the eye can see, and beyond. Surely, no one has managed to explore the trackless expanse, have they? Add in a mesmerizing sky to the whiteness, and suddenly the scene transforms into one of beauty. Gypsum Skies is that result.

The dunes, of course, aren’t endless. They make up White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico. And they aren’t made of sand, as you might expect. Instead, these are gypsum dunes, formed by a rare geological trick that happens in just a few places on this planet, here being one of them.

The white sands look different every day. Even under a clear blue sky, they take on different moods. Add in clouds, and they transform from a “wow” into something far more interesting. Here, the cloud-filled sky took on a life of its own, threatening to eclipse the attractiveness of the sands below. Combing the two together creates a whole new experience.

Finally, I like the feel of this photograph. It feels endless, yet finite, both at the same time. The vastness of the dunes echoes the endless sky. Gypsum Skies is a celebration of both!