It may not sound like everyone’s ideal day at the office – intense heat, dust and sand flying everywhere; lots of sand. But to some pro photographers the 31st Dakar Rally has proven itself as a playground of opportunity for capturing some sublime images. Held in South America for the second consecutive year – not Africa as previous runs have been – the 2010 race began in Buenos Aires, covering 9000km between Argentina and Chile in 14 stages.

From the excellent Boston Globe’s ‘The Big Picture’ blog, take a browse and see what you think. Special mention has to go to AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko for this craker of a shot: