Badlands National Park

Tom and the Lightning Storm, South Dakota

My first afternoon in the Badlands of South Dakota, I arrived to increasingly dramatic storm clouds. There was little time to set up as the lightning began, so I settled in this field of yellow flowers at my accommodations at the Circle View Guest Ranch to watch the show, and was photobombed by one of the Ranch’s many friendly barn cats. https://www.optimalfocusphotography.com/

Double Rainbow, Badlands NP

The Badlands delivered such incredibly dramatic skies, and on this particular evening, we were treated to a double rainbow, and soft, late afternoon light on the park’s colorful bands. Due to a heavy precipitation year, green grasses were abundant throughout, providing a lovely color contrast to the bands and layers of rock. https://www.optimalfocusphotography.com/

Mordor, Badlands National Park

The Badlands delivered such incredibly dramatic weather, and on this particular evening, we were treated to soft, late afternoon sidelight on the park’s colorful bands against increasingly stormy, dark skies. Due to a heavy precipitation year, green grasses were abundant throughout, providing a lovely color contrast to the bands and layers of rock. The incredible quality of light here reminded me of Mordor, the mythical volcanic landscape of Lord of the Rings. https://www.optimalfocusphotography.com/

Last Light on the Badlands

My very last evening in Badlands National Park was rewarded with beautiful skies of incredible contrast; as the sun set behind me, it bathed these peaks in a warm, side lit glow. https://www.optimalfocusphotography.com/