Sunrise splashes onto Mt. Herard and Cleveland Peak while the crisply-defined crest of a dune leads toward the still-shadowed dune field in this view north from near High Dune. The hike to High Dune began before first light; as daylight arrived I spotted what appeared to be a person's head just above the edge of the High Dune. I couldn't understand how someone could have reached the dune before me. Arriving, panting, at the crest of the dune I discovered raven tracks and a discarded apple core -- what I had seen was a raven perched atop the dune enjoying an early breakfast. In fact, no one else came very far into the dunes until I was nearly back at the truck after my sunrise shoot.
[7 captures blended in Helicon Focus for focus-stacking; B&W conversion in Nik Silver Efex Pro]