"A Harsh Reality"

Snow? Sand? None of the above? Correct! Salt? Correct! This is the lower portion of Soda Lake in Carrizo Plain. At this time, the lake level is high, so for the most part, it is a shallow lake with blue water. By summer, it will mostly be evaporated and white with salt deposits. This area has already become a salt marsh, but there is still abundant moisture, so the wildflowers are blooming in earnest. The salt is really just a crust, with mostly mud underneath. It looks stable enough, but one step too far out, and it will consume your foot, shoe and all. I stood in it, sinking partially. When I had completed my exposures, I lifted my foot, but the shoe remained. My next step was with my sock, right into the muck. The sun had long gone down, so the ambient light transformed the normally white salt to a blueish cast. The yellow flowers, meanwhile, glowed because of the contrast. To finish off the composition, a vivid pink-blue twilight sky completes the mood. Thanks for your assessments and make sure to utilize the Larger preview!! 

Mark - this is indeed a wonderful photo. Amazing colors!

Great shot, Mark.  Looks like it was a good year in the Carrizo!

Great colors, lighting and composition.  Almost unearthly.  Very pleasing.