I admit it. I’m fascinated by dried mud.
Perhaps not so much that I will endure a two hour bumpy drive to get to the racetrack at Death Valley, where everyone except me has gone to photograph a rock on the dried mud.
I know my back wouldn’t handle that kind of torture and why bother when there are other more accessible places with equally fascinating dried mud?
Clark Dry Lake in Anza Borrego State Park is one of my favourite places for dried mud. If you haven’t seen them, I have some sunrise photos from Clark Dry Lake here and here.
Last time we were there, Ray and I went exploring around the lake with the quest of finding an old homestead. We never did find it, but we discovered some excellent mud along the way!
Please click the images to view larger versions.
I could photograph this stuff all day long. I especially like making abstract images of the patterns in the mud.
I am a jewelry artist. Yesterday I was experimenting with copper and enamel. The result reminded me of dried washes we have in Arizona. I needed some inspiration to follow through on the piece and found it in your work. Thanks for that.
Craig
I can see why dried mud is alluring! It looks fascinating, almost like broken pottery! Thanks for sharing your photos!
I love those abstract close-ups. The way those edges are lifting really adds something special.
Thank you very much Andy!
You’re not the only one fascinated by it. I’ve always loved shots of dry lake beds, I don’t know why exactly, I just know that I love the way it looks, may be why I’m also partial to cities with some age to them.
Yes, there is something about cracked and worn things that make for great photographs! I always like the textures in these kinds of places. Thanks for your comments Devlin.
I really enjoyed your pics you even brought out the layers in the curled mud
Thank you very much Scott!
Try driving up some of the washes in the Carrizo Badlands in the southern part of the park. We used to take an old Toyota Corolla up Arroyo Tapiado and down Arroyo Seco del Diablo (or perhaps the other way around) and camp out under dark, starlit skies. If is so still that you can hear your heart beat. You do have to watch out for sand pockets to avoid getting stuck but we never had a problem. It was truly an amazing experience.
I agree your photographs are just beautiful!
We have a Mud Racetrack close to me, but I could not get in for photos, I am sure thee is plenty elsewhere, Like my own yard when I dig!
I saw your post on Linkin!
Smiles, Cyndi
Hi Cyndi, glad you made it over here from LinkedIn and thank you very much for your comments! While there are no doubt beautiful places to photograph that are hard to get to, there are lots of places you can go for excellent images that don’t require back breaking bumpy roads too.
It sounds amazing. Our truck is a dually and not good on those soft sandy roads so we haven’t explored any of those places in the park. I haven’t even been to Font’s Point. One of these days we’ll have to rent a jeep so we can explore further. Thanks for the tip Roy!
I am with in the fascination of dried mud. I’ve been out to the Racetrack a couple of times which is enough for me too. As you walk about Clark Dry Lake keep your eye out for spent 50 caliber shell casings as the area was used for training during WW2. I’ve found a couple. Have found more at the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, another great dried mud site. And of course there is Death Valley also.
Hmm. Black Rock Desert in Nevada eh? I’ve been thinking of doing some more exploring in Nevada this winter, so I’ll have to look it up. Thanks for the tip John!
I love the ‘wide’ sweep in the portrait orientation landscape. Patterns in nature are so fascinating, it’s amazing the things that photography makes us stop and appreciate looking at.
Exactly! Once you really start looking so you can see beauty in the most unexpected places. Thank you very much for your visit and comments Jenn.