Just a quickie.
I kinda like L3DT generated heightfields.
Bigger version - http://porcupinefloyd.deviantart.com/art/Sands-of-Confusion-141321071
Very good erosion. I would make some fake stones where the wind may have blown the sand away. ( the low area/a of the landscape. )
That's a good idea but then I would have to lower camera altitude somehow. Or make the rocks really big.
I really recommend L3DT. It has a .ter export and is free in basic edition.
Cool idea. I like the color and the use of the patterns.