Little Sahara: Oh, Christmas Tree

Last Sunday, we took a day trip to Little Sahara Recreation Area. It’s an OHV playground. We don’t OHV, but there are some areas that are walk-in only.

But for some in our group, it was a run-in area

See those thin, high clouds? I told Scot we might have a banger sunset later on.

Dunes and dogs, thin high clouds, Scot.

It reminds me that I still need to finish up my Death Valley images from LAST APRIL. Still a nice view, though.

We wandered around for a while, trying to find the non-motorized traffic area, but didn’t really find it. Or else we did find it, but folks had still driven through. Either way, it wasn’t very crowded so we weren’t too bothered,. Well, maybe just a bit, by the background noise of ATVs and dirt bikes.

Still looking for cool scenes, but noticed that my earlier prediction of a banger sunset was not likely to happen. Thicker clouds were piling up on the horizon, blocking the light. It was starting to get dark early, but we kept exploring. I figured sunset would be a bust.

The light was pretty and soft. More than anything else it was really nice to be outside, exploring an area we’d never been.

Since the light wasn’t epic, but the skies were a touch dramatic, I framed up this scene in a square aspect ratio and black and white. I liked how the textures looked in black and white. I figured this would be the best shot of the day.

A little while later, while working on finding a good composition with this little dune, I realized how pink the landscape was getting. Scot said, “You better get back to your tree.”

And then holy smokes would you just look at this.

I think it lasted for maybe less than five minutes. We were so awash in the beauty that it was hard to shoot. I took photos of nothing but this sky, just because it was incredible. I called this post Oh, Christmas Tree because I feel like those five minutes in that light with this one singular tree were a gift, handed to us on a platter. The sunsets this late fall have been spectacular, but mostly I’m on my way to concerts, or just coming in from rehearsals, or looking out my window while teaching and say to my student, “Oooo look at the sunset exploding!” This evening was a present, a gift, and I’m so grateful for it.

Couldn’t tear myself away.

One last look back…