The winner this week?

Judging by the entries in our contest this week, it’s obvious that Westerners love our parks. Thanks to everyone who entered and shared their images. We liked them so much, in fact, we decided to award an honorable mention, too.

The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley National Park, California by Chuck Hoekman.

Our winner is from Chuck Hoekman. His photo of Mesquite Flats in Death Valley National Park has everything — eye-catching texture, contrasting light and shadow, and an interplay between the earthy colors of the desert and the bright blues and purple of the sky and mountains. Congratulations once again, Chuck! Please email aarond – at – rionuevo.com and he’ll mail you a book from our catalog.

We also enjoyed another sand dune photo this week, this one from Dawn Santiago. Her image, taken at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico, shows a colorful hot air balloon seemingly emerging from the blanket of white gypsum sand surrounding it. Great job, Dawn!

Annual White Sands Balloon Invitational, White Sands National Monument, New Mexico by Dawn Santiago.

Remember to show your love to our entrants. Browse through the photos posted on our Facebook page and like your favorites. The entry with the most likes at the end of the contest will win our people’s choice award.

This week’s theme is travel, so be sure to post your photos before midnight next Wednesday.