White Sands, New Mexico

I grew up in New Mexico.. and went to White Sands as a little girl. And as a grown up I took my children at least once a year, as we lived close and could visit often. It was great fun sliding down the dunes on plastic round discs.. Now my grown kids take their children... fun fun

Thank you Gladstone, SunnyBarb25, Lunie, and Suzy. I recently learned a lot about gypsum, which is what this sand is made of. The tiny granules have a way of interlocking, which makes it much easier to climb steep dunes. The hiker doesn't fall back each step nearly as far as when climbing silica sand. When I stepped onto a fairly level surface with bare feet I hardly sank at all and thought there must be something firm just under the surface. But when I forced my fingers into the sand it easily gave way. It was completely soft sand. "Magic" substance! :)

Stark beauty. Nicely composed, IF. Thanks!

But the white sand looks nice to live IF! Lovely frame! thanks.

So forlorn looking plant but very artistic photo, thank you islandflyer :)

This plant probably has a deep root system to get to the moisture.
Nice find and picture.
Thanks Islandflyer.

I wondered the same thing, treker. Some of the dunes have more vegetation, some have none. I saw some beetles and a lizard, too. I felt a bit sorry for all the life forms trying to eke out an existence in this beautiful but barren land.

All alone in a sea of sand. How does this plant survive?

Thanks Patti. Taken late this past Saturday afternoon. The angle of the sun's rays gives a little yellow hue to the sand at this time of day. Interesting dunes out there. Big beach, but I couldn't find the water. :)

Oh! Another one! Very artistic! Gorgeous sand!