It could have been the late sunlight reflecting off the gypsum in the air. It was a long time ago, didn't have a decent camera. The White Sands change constantly, different every week, every year.
It is an amazing place. My Mother-in-law lived in Tularosa, next to the sands. We were out there one time, and at sunset on a windy day saw something that looked like a pink and orange rainbow, formed from the wind-borne particles and the setting sun.
So much for the seven + years it takes to become an accredited judge, with the research papers, monthly educational hour, the 4,000 + plants most centers see at shows and monthly judgings each year.
No AOS award to 'Byron'; only one award to this species in 1999, and it isn't this one. Perhaps it was awarded and AOS voided it later, or the owner never paid the award fee. There is no record.
I have a get-out-of-jail-free card! My husband got me a C Jose Marti for Mother's Day. By the end of the year we owned 50 orchids, and it was all downhill from there. He can NEVER say anything about my addiction -- because he started it!
AOS publishes OrchidsPlus, which has the full descriptions of the awarded plants and the official pictures. OrchidWiz has unofficial pics, and some award data.