The Badlands | Rocks at the Badlands The Badlands’ rock formations are distinguished by their vibrant red, tan, and white stripes. Each stripe represents a different layer of sediment brought there by rivers and seas, millions of years ago. Over time, the mud and grit hardened into layered sedimentary rock. After sedimentary rock formed, the White, Bad, and Cheyenne rivers carved the flat floodplain into sloping hills, jagged cliff faces, and precarious spires. For the whole story with all images, see The Badlands.
The Badlands | Short Grass Prairie of the Badlands In the spring, the short grass prairie turns green for a few weeks. For the whole story with all images, see The Badlands.
The Badlands | Badlands’ Valley Spring in Badlands NP feels like another planet for a Midwesterner. Between the mid May and mid June the normally brown and tan landscape of the Badlands turns green and and the wild flowers bloom. For the whole story with all images, see The Badlands.
The Badlands | Badlands Wonder From the stark hills of the Badlands onto the Great American Prairie, the Badlands is the land of sharp contrasts. For the whole story with all images, see The Badlands.
The Badlands | Lone Tree on the Badlands Nothing says Great American Prairie like a lone tree on the rolling mixed grass prairie of the Badlands. For the whole story with all images, see The Badlands.
The Badlands | Storm over the Badlands Thunderstorms rumble over the Badlands frequently during the summer months. In fact, they are one of the trademarks of the Great American Prairie, which ranges from the Rocky Mountains to the Midwest and from Canada to Oklahoma. For the whole story with all images, see The Badlands.
The Badlands | Looking over the Badlands Badlands NP is one of the my favorite places to photograph. There’s nothing like rising at o’dark thirty to capture the sunrise. It’s hard to decide whether to look for landscapes or wildlife or both. For the whole story with all images, see The Badlands.
The Badlands | a 7 Image Story The Badlands are truly inspiring. There’s something rather spiritual about Badlands NP. Perhaps, it’s the stark contrasts, the native American influence, or the large expanse of rock formations. Taking time to reflect on the grandeur adds perspective to life’s challenges. Badlands NP is one of my favorite places to photograph. There’s nothing like rising at o’dark thirty to capture the sunrise and morning’s nice light. It’s hard to decide whether to look for landscapes or wildlife or both. Badlands NP stands at the intersection of the Great American Prairie and the North American Great Plains.
Soundtrack from the movie Dances with Wolves; a musical score composed by John Barry.
Spring in Badlands NP feels like another planet for a Midwesterner. If you want to see the Badlands in spring green, travel between the last 2 weeks of May through the first 2 weeks of June, when the brown and tan landscape turns green. Also, it’s a great time see wildlife babies. It’s not green in the Badlands for long. Generally, I prefer the first week of June. Usually, the grass is green and the wild flowers are blooming. In a nice long weekend, you can explore much of Badlands NP.
In any time of year, the Badlands’ rock formations are distinguished by their vibrant red, tan, and white stripes. Each stripe represents a different layer of sediment brought there by rivers and seas, millions of years ago. Over time, the mud and grit hardened into layered sedimentary rock. After sedimentary rock formed, the White, Bad, and Cheyenne rivers carved the flat floodplain resulting in sloping hills, jagged cliff faces, and precarious spires.
Nothing says Great American Prairie like a lone tree on the rolling mixed grass prairie of the Badlands. Thunderstorms often rumble over the Great Plains during summer. While driving into the Badlands NP near the front gate, this storm became visible from the road. After pulling off the road, I just grabbed the camera, pointed it west, and ripped a burst of images. Luckily, one image captured the lightning strike. The great plains are known for their thunderstorms. Sure, it was a very lucky click to capture the lightning just as I was leaving Badlands NP.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category The Badlands.
