Zabriskie Point 7 (2009)
Death Valley National Park, CA

Zabriskie Point is one of the most fascinating locations to photograph in Death Valley.  At first it looks like nothing more than a pale, tan badlands.  But it grows on you.  Each time I return it reveals more of its inner nature, more of its moods. 

Often times the patterns of Zabriskie Point yield the most amazing abstracts.  But sometimes these abstracts become stories.  As I worked on this image I began to see a large beast in the foreground lying down with it's head intent on the valley below.  The image grew in power and struck out in a direction that I hadn't imagined when I started.  It took me back to an earlier time when the valley below was filled with an enormous lake, the mountains were covered with lush trees and circle of life played itself out.  Could we be observing a prehistoric lion lying in wait?