Iconic White Sands National Monument

Nothing says White Sands National Monument in New Mexico like the iconic Soaptree Yucca plants that litter the dunescape.  The photo below was taken just after sunset in the blue hour under a rising full moon. Surprisingly it is quite a challenge to find a nicely isolated Soaptree Yucca plant in the dunes. While searching for the right yucca, in the right orientation and at the right time I discovered many cool features of the desert including amazing dunes, yardangs (eroded dune formations), textures,  more textures, and rediscovered it all again at night and then resumed my search the following day.   Fortunately Yucca plants are but one of numerous subject in White Sands. If you’re interested in exploring White Sands I’ll be returning there in mid-October to make use of the full moon once again in my White Sands Phototour. Personally I can’t wait.

Iconic White Sands National Monument Landscape with Soaptree Yucca plants (Yucca elata)

[tags]photography, New Mexico, White Sands National Monument, Soaptree Yucca, plant, Yucca elata, stock photo, stock picture, fine art[/tags]