The Race Track by Erik Harrison

Monday, 14th December 2009

The Race Track

by Erik Harrison

The race track can’t really be believed unless you see it with your own eyes. A collection of rocks have over time been sent gliding across this high desert playa by wind and what little rain falls here. The rocks leave a trail in the fine mud that lasts for years and can be seen for a hundred yards or so. Some turning at right angles and others like these two gently arcing across the playa under a gorgeous California sunset.

Equipment: 50D, 10-22mm, f16, 6sec, 2 stop GND

Erik Harrison

I’ve been shooting landscapes, sports, and creating fine art works for about 15 years. I’m absolutely amazed like I remember being as a child every time an image comes up in the developer or out of the RAW converter!

www.erikharrison.com

26 Comments

Katherine Lee Strassburg Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 1:32 am
This is very nice! Sunset/mountains/rocks–who could ask for anything more? You need to tell us about the size of the rocks and the dried crusty sand. I think they’re large than might appear from this particular shot. Not a place I’ve been yet, but deserts are near and dear to my heart–thanks.
chuck urgolites Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 2:30 am
Great ~ you have captured the light and the texture of the desert floor !
mike Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 2:37 am
I love the sky colors.
paul whitton Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 3:55 am
man nature is awesome!! thanks for sharing, and congrats on making the cut! beautiful composition.
Rajesh Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 4:25 am
Brilliant shot Eric. Love the inferno in the sky. This is place is absolutely fascinating, getting there on the dirt-track is even more incredible!. My shot of the sliding rocks is probably the most viewed image on my flickr-stream . Anybody who goes to Death Valley, has to visit the Racetrack Playa, its worth all the pain.
Caroline Heywood Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 6:32 am
Having taught children about this area from an English text book, I am happy to see it on potd. The tracks occur, apparently, because overnight freezing of the rain which creates a slippery ice-covered ground, allows the wind to push these rocks – of no small size I am to understand. Come morning, when the ice subsequently melts, a track is left behind.
Thank you sharing; the colurs are wonderful.
Anurag Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 7:03 am
I really must make a trip to this place.

Gorgeous shades. And unbelieveable, the way those tracks are made.
Su Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Thanks Erik and everyone else for all the info on these tracks, they sound like ‘a must see’. What lovely colours and textures you have captured.
paul Dass Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 8:41 am
This is the most classic capture. What a brilliant view and its details as well the fine touch of colour. It is worth making a trip to this place. Thank you for sharing this treasure.
Pauline Jones Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Col picture; technically good, well composed and with a good story attatched to it.
Maher Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 9:23 am
wow……
Malta Photography Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Nice pic and phenomenon. Great colors.
Labaune Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Mon grand regret… ne pas avoir pu y aller…
pourtant, nous sommes passés à Death Valley

Nice shot.
Wanda Krack Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Well-taken shot!
andrea tritico Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
the challenges of life trail behind …. only for us to see our progress that is edged in the skin of our time and the movement of the moments of our memory… We see in the distant future our life in a grand perspective that only we can know when the sunset of our being starts to fade and all our colors brighten before darkness…..
planet lover Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Loved the picture and the story. Great job, Erik. And thanks to Caroline for the details.
Fab Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Extremely well composed. The traces lead us into the shot.
wow
Renee Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Such amazing colors you have captured well done!
Marie Dunphy Harding Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
The sunset & the story are amazing, Thanks for sharing both.
Grete Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
What a wonderful photography. It has an amazing quality and excellent information!!! You are a great photographer. Congratulations and Regards from Argentina.
Tad Bowman Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
I love the foreground textures and patterns.
pierre Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Great poster shot
nan Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Your sky shot is very patriotic!!!
Photos by Nik Says:
December 15th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Really nice shot
Sue Gagnon Says:
December 16th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
This shot is just LOVELY! Excellent vision!
João Ganhão Says:
December 16th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Amazing!! Great found!