Gypsum Sparkles Beneath the Desert Sky

Sunlight dances across the crystalline gypsum sand of White Sands National Park, creating countless points of light beneath a softly clouded blue sky. Subtle wind-sculpted textures and a trail of footprints lead across the quiet dunes, revealing the delicate beauty hidden within this remarkable New Mexico landscape.
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Photographer James Engel

Date & Time Saturday, March 28th, 2026 at 9:23 AM America/Denver

Focal Length 24mm

Shutter Speed 1/400 sec

Aperture ƒ/11

ISO 64

Location North America, The United States of America, New Mexico, White Sands National Park

Keywords Desert Landscape, Fine Art Photography, Hiking Trail, Landscapes & Nature, National Park, Photography Effects, Photography Genres, Photography Techniques, Scenic Vista

Camera Nikon D850

Lens NIKON 24-85mm F3.5-4.5G ED VR AF-S Nikkor Lens

Approximate Map Location

Latitude: 32.820972
Longitude: -106.274681
Altitude: 1,179.0 meters / 3,868.1 feet