So often, I see pictures of this area with the 'cracked ground' look to it. I assume, this isn't the way the desert appears year round. So my questions is, if I want to capture this cracked ground look, when is the best time of year to do this?

Thanks in advance.

Regards, Art.

Art, the best time is hours after a good wet storm when the clouds are clearing and the top surface is drying but the "cracks" are still damp and dark. Amazing contrast then. Look up "the Racetrack" in Death valley. The rocks there chase each other around the lake and leave grooved trails behind them. Certainly luck will be necessary to make all these elements come together.