Mimick

[Jeffrey]

Where are the circles? I was in Death Valley recently and was trying to find a place I'd never seen called Cottonball Basin. My research showed me basically where it was, but then you get in the general area and everything is so large, you lose perspective. I was hiking out into the lower parts north of Furnace Creek as things got muddier and muckier. I could see more standing water ahead, and I thought that one of those steps would pull the boot right off my foot as I tried to walk. I'm guessing the cottonball area was still submerged and needs to be visited at another time of year. Still, there was plenty of fascinating crust and minerals to be seen. Finally it became a field of uniform mineralization over a softer wet bottom that stopped forward progress. And the clouds started taking shape. Amazing how the sky was like a mirror of the ground. Forget the cottonballs for now, I was happy here. Except for cleaning the tripod and boots later.

And the route to get there:

 

[AlanLichty]

I love the mirrored textures in the first image.

I have a mental image of hiking with heavy boots on the way back. I suspect the mud there is rather tenacious.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Two very intense images Jeffrey. Glad you are having so much fun.

 

[JimFox]

Hey Jeffrey, yeah you are too early for Cottonball Basin. Especially as it has been raining a lot over the last couple of weeks. It often can be until into April or May before it's solid enough to walk on. I have been out there and it can get soft and mushy before you know it, and I have had it suck the rubber boot off my foot before. It was like concrete with the way it holds your boots once you start sinking.

#2 is my favorite here, I like the leading line in it. In both photos you have some great clouds.

 

[Carlo Didier]

The second for me. Take away the clouds and you'd think you're on Mars

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Nice set Jeffrey. Like them both.

 

[MonikaC]

I really like how the clouds have a similar texture to the foreground in #1. I guess you'll have something to go back for, though these images should make you very happy.

 

[Jeffrey]

I guess you'll have something to go back for, though these images should make you very happy.

I'm happy about both!

 

[Alisa]

Cool images!

 

[Jim Dockery]

Great shots, very dramatic! I like the processing as well (would also work as B&W). Goodonya braving that muck!

 

[Jeffrey]

Great shots, very dramatic! I like the processing as well (would also work as B&W). Goodonya braving that muck!

Great idea, Jim. I'll give them the BW treatment.

 

[Sunny Sra]

Jeffrey,
Both are just ridonculous! In end of Jan I attempted cottonball area and turned around fairly quickly because of swampy type conditions. Try again later in the year I guess.

 

[Dean]

Jeffrey.. Boots in the ground
Beautiful images .. I love the moody feeling of both.