Ripples in Time

One of the most unique features of any sand dune area, is the ripple effect created by winds blowing across the sand grains and arranging them in somewhat random, but still organized patterns as determined by the prevailing winds. Most every photographer who ventures into such an environment will want to capture these ripples and they are most prominent in the early morning or late evening light.

Over the years we have spent ample time around Zion, Bryce, St. George, Kanab and Page. On many occasions, we would see the sign and turnoff for Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park north of Kanab, but had never taken the time to visit this unique landscape. Thus, September of 2017, we made a plan to visit and camp there. That plan would allow time to photograph during both the evening and morning “golden hours.” The brighter midday sun has a way of washing out the colors and we also found that the “coral” color is most prominent before or after sunrise.
This park, established in 1963, is host to a strip of dunes estimated to have been here about 10,000 – 15,000 years. Having spent the somewhat windy evening before taking sunset shots, the next morning we arose early to capture more photos with the sun still at lower angle that would enhance colors as well as ripples. The winds had calmed overnight making it easier to capture plant life without undue motion and very pronounced ripples that have relentlessly rearranged themselves over the centuries. You can even find fossilized ripple marks in the surrounding Navajo sandstone.