Catching the moon rise over one of the rock formations in Badlands National Park. It is exciting to get a photo of the moon as it rises above your point of interest.
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.
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.
Badlands Labradoodle in Black and White
Turkey on Badland's Trail
Hiking on the east side of Badlands National Park I crossed paths with this turkey. She was in no hurry and was not worried about me. So we hung out on the trail together for a bit. I really like turkeys and I am always stoked when I see them. They usually are very skittish but I guess in National Parks they are protected and more outgoing than just in the National Forest.
Turkey on Badland's Trail
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.
Asserting Dominance