Death Valley Suite California state centennial (1850-1950). The original performance was conducted by Grofe with the Hollywood Bowl Symphony on December 3, 1949 in the Desolation Canyon area of Death Valley National Monument (Now Death Valley National Park). The music was used in the background as a procession of covered wagons entered the area. Actor James Stewart narrated the pageant celebration. The 1949 pageant was attended by 65,000 people. The movements are titled: Total length of composition is 17 minutes and 11 seconds. Background information of Ferde Grofe's commissioned with the State of California and the Death Valley 49ers history, historical background, pageant
Death Valley pupfish Death Valley pupfish The Death Valley pupfish ("Cyprinodon salinus"), also known as Salt Creek pupfish, is found in Death Valley National Park. There are two recognized subspecies: "C. s. salinus" and "C. s. milleri". It is endemic to two small, isolated locations and currently classified as endangered. The desert pupfish is a small, silvery colored fish with 6-9 dark bands on its sides. It has an average length of , with a recorded maximum of . The males turn bright blue during mating season, April through October. The pupfish can withstand harsh conditions that would kill other fish: water that