Travel Photographs by Rosemary Sheel

The approach to Traza, an ancient salt mine. It was abandoned 300 years ago in favor of Taodeni. Pottery sherds, stone beads, arrowheads can be found if you have sharp eyes. Mali

Our guides study the rope like dunes of Erg Chech, searching for a way through. Mali.

Araouane was once an important source of water for the caravans. Now it is being inundated with the encroaching sand of the Sahara

This house would be covered with sand without the daily efforts of the inhabitants.

The madrasa of Araouane. This is a religious school. The teacher is an Imam. He is supposed to be especially holy and many men of the caravans ask for his blessings.

Panorama of Araouane. Sky and sand surround the small village.

Ridges of sand dunes in Morocco's Erg Chebbi

Dunes reflected in a lake formed after the rains in Morocco's Erg Chebbi

Shadows of dunes in Morocco's Erg Chebbi

The evening light brings out the gold of the sand in Mauritania's sahara.

Berber girls ride from their tent to fetch water

Girl returning with water. Evening light. Erg Chebbi, Morocco

The golden dunes of Mauritania

The black rocky desert is called Hamada. Dunes comprise only 10 to 15 % of the Sahara.

Unusual blue rocks are found in Mali

Ripples formed by the windblown sand collecting at the base of plants. As the mounds of sand become larger travel by 4x4 becomes more difficult. For camels as well.

Dunes in the shape of sea mammals.

A lone man leads his camels through the desert. The camels are loaded with goods to trade. This man is a Moor and he is confident traveling in the desert alone.

North of Tombouctou the desert is dangerous. The men of the caravans do not neglect their prayers. They ask God's blessing five times a day.

A small caravan crosses the dunes near a rain filled lake

Reg desert is composed of dirt and plants and sand.

A solitary tourist scans the desert for ancient artifacts. The sahara is filled with the remains of prehistoric civilizations.

Sunlight on blue rocks in Mali

Sand dunes in Tichit Mauritania.

The outlines of the settlement at Traza. Wandering over the site, I discovered some ancient pottery and some beads made from stone.

A moving sand dune in Tichit, Mauritania. The constant wind blows the sand from the windward side over the top. The sand cascades down the face of the dune and piles up. Over much time the dune is inched westward.

Camels enjoy standing in water to their knees while the graze in a grass filled lake near Merzouga, Morocco. The lake bed is filled only during the rainy season.