21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Sailing Stones of Death Valley

Located on the Racetrack Playa, the "sailing stones" mysteriously drift across the flat desert landscape. No one has ever seen the rocks move in person, but they leave trails as long as 1500 feet. In 2014 scientists determined that the stones' movement is likely the result of a perfect combination of ice, water, and high winds. I was particularly captivated by this scene because it appears that a rock broke into two pieces, slid across the playa, and came to rest together again.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2022
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Death Valley National Park, California, United States of America
Camera: LEICA SL2
Copyright: © Jak Wonderly