Salt Flats at Badwater - Death Valley

Posted by
Denny Jump (Bellevue, WA, United States) on 17 March 2011 in Landscape & Rural.

Here, back by popular demand, is my lovely wife of 43 years, Barbara.
However, I also have another motive, here: This view, and the inclusion of people, lends a much better perspective of the enormity of the entire salt flats. Those other folks, way off in the distance really help with this I think.

This is indeed, the lowest point in North America - Badwater.

Tomorrow, we shall bid a final farewell to Death Valley. I do hope you have enjoyed this long series and I certainly hope that no one has tired of it. I definitely recommend a visit to Death Valley to anyone who has the time and the interest. It is an amazing place. Tomorrow, our final view.

FUJIFILM FinePix E550 1/450 second F/8.0 ISO 100 8 mm

** Staples Singers - "Respect Yourself"

- " We do not move forward from a middle opinion, which is undemocratic but mediocratic.
We advance from a creative passion "- (Edgar Morin)

- "To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It's at
that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy."
- Henri Cartier-Bresson.

::Words from Denny:
- My beliefs, and values, have always been strongly tied-to music, especially Jazz, and Blues.
- The following artists and lyrics seem to "sum-up" where my spirit resides:
EARTH WIND AND FIRE;
"HOLD ON TO YOUR SPIRIT,
ALWAYS FEEL YOUR SOUL....
HONOR THE MAGIC IN YOUR HEART"; Earth Wind and Fire

Comments (19)

Kenny from Eastsound, United States

Lovely shot, though I must admit it makes me want to drive very fast.

17 Mar 2011 5:46am

@Kenny: Thanks Kenny - I know, I was chuckling at fiorst site becasue the first thing I thought of was Bonneville or some stupid car commercial!!! Funny how our lovely corporate amerika loves to expouse the purchase of fast zoom zoom cars which gobble gas yet we talk about conservation of resources...I just love double standards, don't you?

Richard from Duns, United Kingdom

You're right Denny, people make this shot work far better. The power of the sun is evidenced by the sharpness of the shadow. Is Barbara carrying your tripod?

17 Mar 2011 7:26am

@Richard: Hi Richard - Thanks very much - yes she was holding my "cheapo" tripod(forgive the American slang) as well as her little pentax camera that was a fine little point and shoot back in those days ...this shot is from early 2007...Barbara looks about the same today....I, on the other hand...;-)

Scene by Sharon Photography from Kingston, Ontario, Canada

this series has made me want to go to Death Valley ... so beautiful!

17 Mar 2011 10:35am

@Scene by Sharon Photography: Any time you are ready, so are we ;-) And I assure you, I have not displayed a TENTH of what can actually be seen and experienced there.... Thanks very much Sharon!

Tamara from Aarschot, Belgium

A fantastic portrait here Denny... and such a great location of course ! Have a lovely day :)

17 Mar 2011 12:13pm

@Tamara: Hi Tamara - Thank you good buddy!

Eric Cousineau from Sherwood Park, Canada

ROFL...I see Barbara also subs as your camera/gear sherpa! I hope your including some handsome tips..... ;-)))

17 Mar 2011 1:31pm

@Eric Cousineau: Yes she does - or at least she used to...this was shot in 2007 and we have both gained a few aches and pains since then..but she is a great sport and always helps out with the tripod....Thanks Eric

Stephen from Canberra, Australia

Looks like Barbara is getting ready to take a shot of her own! Superb view of this extraordinary landscape. Yes, the figures add a sense of scale and show the vastness of the terrain.

17 Mar 2011 1:49pm

@Stephen: Hi Stephen -Thank you so much. She loves to visit places and get memories as many as possible - We have fuin on our adventures ;-) Thansk very much!

Franz from Baden, Austria

awesome dimensions indeed, denny, and well captured, with the people as a reference! i for my part enjoyed the visit to the lowest point of the western hemisphere as it brought back fond memories (i was there twice, when i was A LOT younger ...). speaking about young, how can you have been married to this lovely woman for more than 40 years? she doesn't even look 40 herself! so something's amiss here ... ;-))

17 Mar 2011 6:37pm

@Franz: She was 6 when I married her ;-)

LauraS from Chico, United States

Happy St. Paddy's Day to you and your wife. Such a nice shot of the vastness of this area. Great perspective. I've enjoyed the whole series, Denny. Can't wait to see what's next. [Saw a comment to Becky about losing weight and knees. I'm having knee surgery tomorrow. Then I have to lose weight, too!!]

17 Mar 2011 6:59pm

@LauraS: Yah bad knees...I am trying to make it to 65 so I can have it c=done on Medicaire

john4jack from Corvallis, Oregon, United States

how is barbara doing?

17 Mar 2011 6:59pm

@john4jack: Hi Jack - She is doing great - just has to do the drops four times a day for another 10 days ! Thanks for asking and thanks for your encouragement ;-)

Steve Rice from Olympia, United States

Death valley is a great place, indeed. I've walked that same path at Badwater.

17 Mar 2011 7:06pm

@Steve Rice: That is a cool site isn't it - the salt flats, that is ..?

Steve from Sonoma, United States

Knew where this was the instant I saw the photo... Have hiked the Mojave extensively.. Death Valley is a wonder... Zabriskie Point????

17 Mar 2011 7:58pm

@Steve: Hi Steve - Thank you very much ;-) Very near Zabriskie..this is rioght down on the Salt Flats at Badwater where the sign that reads "282 feet Below Sea Level is posted :-) Thanks again!

Francisco Romero from Carbajal de la Legua, Spain

Waiting for tomorrow then. In the meantime I've been enjoying your series. if you wanted to make me visit Dead Valley throuth your images, then mission accomplished.

17 Mar 2011 8:11pm

@Francisco Romero: Thank you Fancisco ;-) You will not be disappointed if you visit ;-)

B. Thomas from Arlington, Texas, United States

I'm glad to know Barbara is your Sherpa. Mike always tells people he is just my Sherpa when we take photos, and that I "let" him carry the gear. ;-)

17 Mar 2011 10:48pm

@B. Thomas: But i Get her water and drinks here at the house ....;-)

BBM from Sussex, United Kingdom

Lovely shot of Barbara and the flats in Death Valley!!

17 Mar 2011 11:25pm

@BBM: Thank you BBM ;-) She is my angel

Ralph Jones from Detroit, United States

Great view and perspective.
I have been really busy of late and I'm afraid it may take a while to catch up.

18 Mar 2011 12:44am

Becky from los angeles, United States

I am really looking forward to going back and seeing all of your posts. I haven't been on this week much -
Woderful to see your lovely Barbara again. It's a beautiful shot Denny. Dreamy.

18 Mar 2011 3:52am

Bill Brown from California, United States

Another beautiful capture Denny. 43 years? So you robbed the cradle! We just celebrated 40 years, hence the reason the just completed vacation.

18 Mar 2011 4:20am

@Bill Brown: PS - Congratulations Bill - Not sure if you will see this as I am writing it like 3 days late!!!! SO I will definitely blab on your blog ;-)

Bettina from Los Angeles, United States

Hi Barbara! Wonderful spot. Its been a fabulous series.

18 Mar 2011 3:28pm

GJC from Kyoto (京都), Japan

Don't know if my wife would like to be in a picture labled "Badwater" and "Death Valley"! :-) But her being there does, as you say, give a sense of the enormity of the landscape.

19 Mar 2011 9:07am

next day →

FUJIFILM FinePix E550
1/450 second
F/8.0
ISO 100
8 mm