Playing in Harney Peak Fire Tower Reservoir

The Harney Peak Fire Tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1935 to 1938. Stones gathered from French Creek were used to construct the tower. All of the building materials were hauled by man and mule along the three mile trail to the summit of Harney Peak.

The lookout tower, dam, pump house and stairway were constructed upon the highpoint. The reservoir created by the dam supplied water to the living quarters which were located in the lower level of the Harney Peak Fire Tower. Harney Peak Fire Tower was staffed until 1965 by the U.S. Forest Service, and then for the following two years by Custer State Park. A watchful eye was placed across the surrounding Black Hills looking for smoke rising from a forest fire.

Teig is Enjoying the Snow

The joy of being a Colorado Traildog on a snow covered Colorado trail.

Trail to Cathedral Spires

f you are visiting the southern Black Hills, Cathedral Spires is an area within Custer State Park that should definitely be on your itinerary. The trail is located within an area of Custer State Park known as the Needles. This photo is from the hike up to the spires.

Green Arroyos in Badlands

Badlands National Park in South Dakota has some green areas. One of those areas is in the arroyos in between the hills in the park. This vast badlands is broken by the lush green areas in these low lying locations that gather moisture and rain from the hills.

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Green Arroyos in Badlands

Badlands Labradoodle in Black and White

Wondering the backcountry of Badlands National Park in South Dakota is an adventure. When I am in between landscape shoots I get shots of Teig wondering around the rock formations. He becomes my main model or subject when I need some inspiration. He is definitely my artistic muse.

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Badlands Labradoodle in Black and White

Traildog in the Badlands

A sunny day to explore Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Teig squinting on a hill in the park as we explore the arid environment and search for the little treasures that come with exploring such a beautiful place.

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Traildog in the Badlands

Asserting Dominance

While exploring the area around Sage Creek in Badlands National Park we came across this large bull American Bison. He was a good 30+ yards from us but was showing typical signs of dominance and “I am the big boy on the block”. He was rolling in the grass and dusting up the area around him. He was grunting and dropping his head. I heeded his display and moved in the opposite direction. These guys are so interesting, massive and mesmerizing to see in the wild. I really enjoy just watching them do their thing. South Dakota has numerous wild herds and is a fantastic place to check them out. I am so very happy that we didn’t hunt them to extinction and have instead reintroduced them to the wild in our wildlife refuges and parks.

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Asserting Dominance