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Haboob in Death Valley
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Haboob in Death Valley

by Margaret Summers

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 27, 2012297 views10 comments
While in Death Valley earlier in February, I looked out the window to see a huge wall of dust and sand (and likely some salt) approaching. I quickly grabbed my camera and began shooting. We got in the car and "followed" (in front)it down the valley for at least 10 miles, stopping to take photos until it caught up to us. We estimated it to be 2-3000 ft high and traveling at about 30-35 mph. It appeared to extend all across the valley to the Panamints (which are 30 mi away).

This photo was taken from the deck at Badwater. I took many different perspectives from close to far and enjoyed every minute:)

Nikon D300; Nikon 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 VR lens
1/350sec; f/8; 27mm; ISO 200

Comments

10 comments
Comment posted by Walt Sterneman on February 27, 2012 at 8:06 PM
Ooh! Great shot Margaret. That certainly looks imposing!
Registered on March 24, 2010, 73 Posts, 1268 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on February 27, 2012 at 9:20 PM
Cool! Pretty threatening-looking. Id probably crop the dark sky and go 50/50 here. :wavey:
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Jared Atencio on February 27, 2012 at 9:41 PM
Not sure this does much for me artistically Margaret, but def a very neat phenomenon to have captured and followed nonetheless!
Registered on June 23, 2009, 21 Posts, 422 Comments
Comment posted by Wayne Jones on February 27, 2012 at 10:22 PM
Cool phenomenon, looking kind of threatening. The light on the face of the haboob, against the shadows behind it work great, and I think the contrast between the cold skies and warm dust storm makes this even more interesting.
Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments
Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on February 28, 2012 at 1:50 AM
Wow, that must have been incredible to see! Thanks for sharing!
Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 28, 2012 at 10:00 AM
That is really cool, Margaret. You got a great picture and the perfect light.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 28, 2012 at 11:29 AM
Cool shot. I hope you post more as it got closer. :eek:
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Lucy Aron on February 28, 2012 at 11:49 AM
Amazing dramatic photo of one of my favorite places. The foreground works well aghainst the dust.


lucy
Registered on February 25, 2011, 189 Posts, 1160 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 28, 2012 at 5:20 PM
This is really cool to see. Must have been awesome being there for this! Don't think I would have wanted to get caught up in that! :biggrin: Nice work, Margaret.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on March 1, 2012 at 10:20 AM
Great timing and like the diagonal angle - looks like one of those pyroplastic clouds from an eruption!
Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments