May 26, 2021 | AF-S PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, Badlands, Daily Image 2021, Landscape Portfolio Posts, Nikon D3x
Landscape Portfolio | 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 more information and images, see The Badlands.
The Back Story Stop along the main road in Badlands NP, climb a small hill, and make simple click.
Details…
| Event | A Day at the Badlands |
| Location | Badlands NP |
| Date/Time | 5/02/2011 11:04 am Local Time |
| Weather | Fair | 50°F | Light Winds |
| Method | Stop along the road, climb a small hill, simple click. |
| Gear | Nikon D3x with 24mm PCE lens |
Jan 2, 2021 | AF-S PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, Daily Image 2021, Fine Art Portfolio, Fine Art Portfolio Posts, Nikon D3x, Wind Cave
Fine Art Portfolio | Wind Cave Lone Tree Each national park has a character of it’s own. “Solitude” describes Wind Cave NP, above the ground, particularly in the off-season. At solitary Wind Cave, it’s all about the land and its wildlife; a nature photographer’s heaven. This image tries to capture some of that solitude with a lonely gravel road as far as the eye can see. The tree is almost a silhouette against the wild clouds of a stormy day.
The Back Story A really good image of this tree had eluded me for several years. I have probably taken hundreds of images of this tree. However, this image is the first that I really like. It all started on my first trip to Wind Cave NP in 2008. Wind Cave is secluded and quiet with a feeling of remoteness. You can drive through the park on the one gravel road, stop the car, turn off the engine, and hear: nothing, for a moment, then the sounds of nature. It is totally quiet of the sounds of man and screaming with the sounds of pure nature. I have returned several times since my first trip. Each time capturing images of this lone road tree. Sometimes the sky was not creative, sometimes I did not get the angle, etc. I tried color, HDR , and now B&W. When the composition is off; well, it’s off. Perhaps, my eye for composition is getting better. Perhaps, it was just luck. Anyway, this image is my best so far. For more about Wind Cave NP, see Solitude @ Wind Cave | a 7 Image Story.
Details…
| Event | Wind Cave Photo Drive |
| Location | Wind Cave National Park near center of the park “Y” in the road |
| Date/Time | 5/02/2011 3:40 pm Local Time |
| Weather | Partly Cloudy | 30°F | Light Winds |
| Method | Drive the gravel road. Stop, position tripod for composition, and wait for nice clouds. |
| Gear | Nikon D3x with 24mm PC-E lens, Tripod. |
Nov 21, 2020 | AF-S PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, Daily Image 2020, Hiking Big Sky's Beehive Basin, Montana, Nikon D3x
Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | On the Rocks Around every bend in the stream awaits a new vista calling to the photographer. For the whole story with all images, see Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | a 7 image Story.
Nov 20, 2020 | AF-S PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, Daily Image 2020, Hiking Big Sky's Beehive Basin, Montana, Nikon D3x
Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | Downstream The bridge provided a nice platform to capture an image of the basin beyond. That’s where we are headed! Did you catch it? We’re hiking upstream not downstream. For the whole story with all images, see Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | a 7 image Story.
Nov 19, 2020 | AF-S PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, Daily Image 2020, Hiking Big Sky's Beehive Basin, Montana, Nikon D3x
Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | Foot Bridge No need to forge the river! This oe person wide footbridge keeps the feet dry while providing a nice vantage point. For the whole story with all images, see Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | a 7 image Story.
Nov 17, 2020 | AF-S PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, Daily Image 2020, Hiking Big Sky's Beehive Basin, Montana, Nikon D3x
Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | Rocky Trail The trails are relatively smooth, but if you get off the trail, it can get rocky. For the whole story with all images, see Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | a 7 image Story.
Nov 15, 2020 | 7 Image Stories, Action, AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, AF-S PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, Hiking Big Sky's Beehive Basin, Montana, Nikon 1 V1, Nikon D3x, Places
Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | a 7 Image Story Hiking the Beehive Basin trail in October makes for a beautiful day. It’s not too hot; not too cold. A little snow adds to the natural beauty of the land. No wonder Beehive Basin Trail has been ranked in the top ten greatest hikes in the world! As it winds through open meadows carpeted with wildflowers, it provides amazing views of the Big Sky Valley and Lone Peak.
The hike is considered moderate difficulty with a few steep climbs between flatter sections. The 6.3 mile trail starts at 7944 feet above sea level at the trailhead and climbs another 1300+ feet. Even though flat land visitors might notice the altitude a bit, a round trip hike should not take more than 5 hours, if you go all the way to the lake. It’s a beautiful day hike even if you don’t make it to the lake.
Looking Back As we started our hike, we looked back at our vehicle parked at the trailhead, Obviously, the terrain is rising already. We were the only vehicle in the rather small parking lot at around 2:30pm on a mid October afternoon. This trail is quite popular. Perhaps, October is a good month to miss the crowds. Up the Hill Up the hill we go. The incline is just over 200 feet per mile, but some places along the trail are steeper while others are almost flat. And remember climbing at elevations between 8,000 and 9,000 feet challenges some flatland folks. Foot Bridge No need to forge the river! This oe person wide footbridge keeps the feet dry while providing a nice vantage point.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin.
Click any image below for a slide show.
Sep 23, 2020 | AF-S PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, Daily Image 2020, Nikon D3x, Yellowstone, Yellowstone NP Wild
Yellowstone NP Wild | Yellowstone Rainbow A few rain showers in the distance yielded several rainbows. This rainbow ends near Mammoth Hot Springs and Mt. Everts on the north part of Yellowstone NP. It’s difficult to show the vastness of Yellowstone. Although Yellowstone is not necessarily known for its mountains, the rocks help put the rainbow in perspective. For the whole story with all images, see Yellowstone NP Wild | a 7 Image Story.
