During the recent PMA Convention in Las Vegas PIEA conducted a Photo Safari in Death Valley National Park. This was a wonderful one day experience with over 40 photographers from around the country and world in one of the most remote places in the US. The trip started before dawn from Vegas and headed west into Death Valley National Park. The group was using about 80% digital and 20% film cameras and most of the equipment was mid to upper range. The group stopped several times during the day to take pictures and eat giving the photographers a chance to get to know each other and study the marvels of the park.

Interesting Facts Death Valley is famous for being the hottest and driest place in North America. In July of 1913, Death Valley recorded five consecutive days of 129 degrees or above. On July the 10th, a reading of 134 degrees Fahrenheit was taken. This world record was held for nine years. Death Valley is 3.4 million acres of scenic wilderness with many famous photographic spots and subjects.

Death Valley is famous for striking views, colorful geologic formations, and scenic vistas.

Our safari took us to Death Valley Junction one of the Western entrances to the park. Now a National Landmark it was once a crossroads for Indians, tourists, settlers and the Death Valley 49ERS. Once a thriving junction, it is a tourist attraction all the time. The hotel, art gallery and opera house are used for seasonal events.

Notice the old rusted gas pump that shows the price of a gallon of gas to be .49 cents a gallon.

Then we headed to Zabriskie Point with it’s beautiful sculptured rocks and canyons. Rainfall in Death Valley averages less than 2 inches a year. There have been some years of no recorded rainfall at all. But when it does rain there is nothing to stop the flash flooding causing deep gorges and canyons. In the background you can see the floor of Death Valley. The salt pan on the floor of Death Valley covers more than 200 square miles. It is 40 miles long and more than 5 miles wide.

There is wildlife in Death Valley, among them are the black crows who welcome visitors who bring any kind of a snack.

© 2007 Art Netzer

© 2007 Art Netzer

© 2007 Art Netzer

We then headed to the sand dunes carved out by the winds and changing every day. Flash floods leave valleys of layered sand with mounds supporting the vegetation.

Our final photo stop of the day was to visit the Ghost Town of Rhyolite. In the early of the gold rush, Rhyolite was a thriving town with a railroad station, general store, school and church. Now all that is left is ruins with sculptures of ghosts to protect what is left and beautiful sunsets.

As mentioned it was a good trip to meet new friends, see another part of the US and take more pictures. Everyone agreed it was a great day.