Sony A7III
Black Hills Buck
This was a nice find on our visit to Custer State Park in South Dakota. We were driving on one of the outer-edge roads of the park and spotted this young, white-tailed buck just off the road. We parked and I pursued him with my camera. It took awhile to catch him still for a moment. One of my favorite shots from the trip.
You can get a better view of this guy by clicking on the photo. When you do, a larger, more detailed version will open in a new browser tab.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Morning Lake Mist
This is an early morning view of Stockade Lake in West Custer Township of South Dakota. Stockade Lake is the largest of Custer State Park’s five lakes. This image was captured just before the sun rose over the trees.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Crazy Horse Memorial
This is the closest we got to the Crazy Horse Memorial on our recent trip to South Dakota. It was impressive in size, but clearly they have a lot of work to do. They’ve been at it for 75 years.
The Crazy Horse Memorial is a mountain monument under construction on privately held land in the Black Hills, in Custer County, South Dakota, United States. You can learn more at Wikipedia.
You can view a larger version of this image by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Prickly Poppy
This was a delightful find! This is a prickly poppy. I didn’t know this type of flower existed until I found this one by happenstance.
On our recent trip to Custer State Park in South Dakota, we had pulled over in the area of a small prairie dog town. As I was trying to get some good photos of the prairie dogs, I noticed this white flower. It was the only one in that area. I believe I found this particular bloom at its peak. We have poppies at our home in northeast Wisconsin but they are the large, redish-orange variety that have a very short blooming period in early spring. Finding this delicate white flower on a prickly plant blooming in late summer was a nice surprise.
From the little I was able to find online, the prickly poppy is a beautiful wildflower that lives for only one growing season. It grows naturally in sandy, dry areas. New plants grow from seed produced the previous year. The papery white flowers bloom throughout the summer. The plant has blue-green leaves and the stems are covered with sharp spines.
You can get a better view of the details in this flower image by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
A Night at Mount Rushmore
On our trip to South Dakota’s Black Hills, we visited Mount Rushmore. We were sure to plan our visit for early evening so we could take part in the nightly program and lighting ceremony. This photo was taken as we exited the Memorial.
The rows of flags leading to the monument were flags of the states and territories of the United States. The evening ceremony and historical program they present is well worth the time. The only charge is a $10 parking fee. ($5 for seniors and free for military and veterans.)
I took a lot of photos of Mount Rushmore from various locations at the monument and around the area. You’ll see them posted here…in time.
Of course, the photo was taken in the dark and contains a boat-load of digital noise. I did my best to remove what I could but I could only do so much. (I might have to try harder.)
You can view a larger version of this photo by clicking on the image.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Path of Least Resistance
This is a smaller waterfall at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The main, larger collection of flowing water is to the right of this view. (See my previous post: The Falls at Sioux Falls)
A lot more dramatic water is flowing from the main falls (out of frame, to the right of this view) but I prefer this image. I like the way the water makes it’s path to the river, coursing around and over the rocks in the foreground.
You can view a larger, more detailed view of this waterfall by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Otherworldly
This is a wide-angle view of the unique landscape found at Badlands National Park in South Dakota, USA.
I took a different approach to this image. Using a fisheye, wide-angle lens, I was able to squeeze a lot of geography into the frame. Normally to see this view, you would have a much wider image. (Compare my previous post of a similar landscape.) This particular lens also adds a curvature to the horizon.
To view more of the details crammed into this image, click on the photo to see a larger version.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Beware of Bruno – Prairie Guard Dog
Don’t miss the little guy on the mound. This prairie dog seemed to take an aggressive stance; preparing to defend his huge, fluffy friend in the background.
Of course, if you advanced on him, he would quickly dart into his hole. This is clearly not my greatest image but I share it because makes me smile. It was captured on our recent visit to Badlands National Park in South Dakota. This was actually taken at one of the entrances of the park where several Bison happened to be hanging out near the road – and, at least, one vicious prairie dog. It was late in the day.
You will see a lot more photos from the Badlands in the future.
If you’d like to get a better look at this one…and Bruno…click on the photo and a larger version will open in a new browser tab.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Big Badlands Overlook
This was our first view of the amazing scenery at Badlands National Park in South Dakota. This observation point is known as the Big Badlands Overlook. This was our first visit to the Badlands and it was stunning, to say the least.
This is a very large image, created by stitching 6 individual photos together. It is so large that it is hard to take it all in. To get a sense of the grandeur, you need to view the largest version your screen will allow. Simply click on the photo and a large version will open in a new browser tab. Take your time and browse the image.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
The Falls at Sioux Falls
These are the water falls you will find in the center of South Dakota’s largest city – Sioux Falls. They created a very nice park along the river that feeds the falls. It seems to be the hub of many activities.
I was able to grab this and a few other nice images of these falls while on a recent visit.
You can view a larger, full-screen version of this image by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.