There is only a brief moment in the day when the trees in Deadvlei (Namibia, Africa) can be photographed in this special light. This is just before the sun rises above the dunes and the temperature rises above 40 degrees. I took these photos before 8am, when the light shone beautifully over the dunes onto the trees. This created a striking contrast between the silhouettes of the trees and the purplish tones of the dunes in the background.
The trees in Deadvlei, located in Namibia's Namib Desert, are ancient camel thorn trees, estimated to be around 900 years old. These trees died long ago due to harsh, dry conditions after the Tsauchab River, which once fed them, changed course. Without moisture, the trees did not decay but were mummified and blackened by the sun. The skeletal trees form a sharp contrast against the white clay plain, orange dunes and deep blue sky, creating a surreal and hauntingly beautiful landscape that is iconic in photography and natural history.
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