Mud Cracks

While I was wandering around Castle Valley last weekend I happened upon some interesting cracks. The time of day wasn't quite right, but I thought they were interesting anyway.

those are pretty cool, did you get anything closer of just the mud?

That is interesting. Seems out of place to me. I usually expect to see sandy washes in these situations.

Mel-

Thanks, Joe -- I didn't shoot anything of just the mud, the hillside below was actually pretty steep so positioning myself was a little tough and I also didn't want to track the place up too much. Looking back I should have shot more from here, and tried to get some detail shots.
I thought it was strange too, Mel -- this area was at the top and along the side of a fairly steep wash which was bisected by a horse trail coming up from the river.
Paul

I'm not that surprised about the cracked mud. I was out there a few weeks ago and the mud was wet, and slick as any surface I've been on. The whole area was covered with it. Now that it's warmer the stuff is drying up and leaving this nicely cracked terrain.

Cool image, Paul. Interesting composition and one that works well. Better light and this would really be outstanding.

Thanks, Brett. I'm kicking myself for not going back to that spot later on, I think it would have been in shadow closer to susnset, but a couple hours later would have been much better. I still dig it, I have some more from this area to go through as well. I'll defintely file this area way for another trip.

Does anyone think a square crop would work? The upper 1/4 of the top could be lost, maybe.

I really like the comp in the second image. Also love the details in the ground.

Yes, I also feel the crop is better and increases the emphasis on the foreground.

Thanks, guys -- crop it is!