A heard of deer grazing on the springtime plains of the Colorado Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

Wildlife of the park and preserve includes pikas, bighorn sheep, black bears, mountain lions, beavers, badgers, bison, pronghorn, birds such as ptarmigan, peregrine falcons, owls, eagles, and herons, and reptiles such as lizards and snakes. Fish encountered in the park’s streams include the Rio Grande cutthroat trout and suckers. Insects such as beetles are common as well.

The park contains the tallest sand dunes in North America, rising about 750 feet (230 m) from the floor of the San Luis Valley on the western base of the Sangre de Cristo Range, covering about 19,000 acres (7,700 ha). Researchers say that the dunes started forming less than 440,000 years ago.

The dunes were formed from sand and soil deposits of the Rio Grande and its tributaries, flowing through the San Luis Valley. Over the ages, glaciers feeding the river and the vast lake that existed upon the valley melted, and the waters evaporated. Westerly winds picked up sand particles from the lake and river flood plain. As the wind lost power before crossing the Sangre de Cristo Range, the sand was deposited on the east edge of the valley. This process continues, and the dunes are slowly growing. The wind changes the shape of the dunes daily.  Source: wiki

Custom order this image as fine art prints, decorative canvas prints, acrylic prints, metal prints and corporate artwork HERE

Buy Royalty Free Stock Photography Images and Licensing HERE

 Colorado fine art nature landscape wildlife photography and stock images by James Bo Insogna (C)   – All Rights Reserved.

Please feel Free to share our links, with Family or Friends who may also enjoy them.

If you like my Art Gallery, it would be awesome if you help spread the word and press the Pinterest, FB, Google+, Twitter or SU Buttons!

Thank you!

Bo Insogna

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/StrikingPhotographyByBo
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Lightning_Man
Google Plus:  https://plus.google.com/+BoInsogna

Recent Striking Fine Art Photography Post, Prints and Images:

Morning in Great Colorado Sand Dunes vBlog

Lightning Storm North Scottsdale AZ 85255

Sky Driving

Rocky Mountain Canyon Streaming

Hanging Out in a Colorado Canyon vBlog

Colorado Rocky Mountain Stream

Shadows Of A Creek In Black And White

Rocky Mountain Continental Divide Winter Panorama Art Print

Rocky Mountain National Park First Light Panorama

Milky Way Night To Day

Blucifer The Rearing Blue Mustang Horse Art Print

Colorado Rocky Mountain Scenic View Art Print

Colorado Rocky Mountain Scenic View In Black And White

Golden Pine Tree Forest Art Print

Fine Art Photography Prints, Canvas Art Prints , Metal Art Prints and Acrylic Art Prints  available in all  sizes custom to order. Fast, Safe and Secure.