The visit to Badlands N. P. began early this morning. We left our motel in Wall, S. D. at 0430.
We were on location in time to see and photograph the Belt of Venus which precedes sunrise. The belt is the pink band of light that appears above the Earth's shadow before sunrise or a short time after sunset. This phenomenon appears in the sky opposite to the sun.
As you can see sunrise provided some beautiful light on the Badlands.
After sunrise we drove further into the badlands and experienced it's harsh geology.
Even so there was wildlife along the way - white-tail deer. We continued to explore the area. The different colors are a result of the different minerals in the soil.
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| BELT OF VENUS |
After sunrise we drove further into the badlands and experienced it's harsh geology.
Even so there was wildlife along the way - white-tail deer. We continued to explore the area. The different colors are a result of the different minerals in the soil.
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| BACK LIT TREE |
Around mid-morning we returned to Wall for breakfast, and some "down Time".
This included breakfast at the Wall Drug Cafe. Here you get free ice water, and a cup of coffee is five cents. The drug store is really a number of specialty shops within the building.
We still had plenty of time for a nap, and a quick review of pictures before heading off in the afternoon. About 1600 we gathered up our gear and were off to an early dinner, and then a visit to the Park. Dinner was at the Red Rock Saloon.
The Badlands Geology is full of different colors and shapes.
This included breakfast at the Wall Drug Cafe. Here you get free ice water, and a cup of coffee is five cents. The drug store is really a number of specialty shops within the building.
We still had plenty of time for a nap, and a quick review of pictures before heading off in the afternoon. About 1600 we gathered up our gear and were off to an early dinner, and then a visit to the Park. Dinner was at the Red Rock Saloon.
The Badlands Geology is full of different colors and shapes.
In the afternoon as we were finding a suitable place for sunset light when we came across some big horn sheep ewes browsing in the grasses.
Storm clouds were in the sky on the horizon mostly to the North of us. As is always the case, one should always look around to see where the light is hitting. Most of the action was to the West,
but for a short time there was great light hitting the formations to the East.
We lingered and for the first time, I really enjoyed photographing the "Blue Light" which occurs after the golden light of sunset.
Often times it is a nice phenomena but not striking. This time I really enjoyed the light in the clouds and sky.
Storm clouds were in the sky on the horizon mostly to the North of us. As is always the case, one should always look around to see where the light is hitting. Most of the action was to the West,
but for a short time there was great light hitting the formations to the East.
We lingered and for the first time, I really enjoyed photographing the "Blue Light" which occurs after the golden light of sunset.
Often times it is a nice phenomena but not striking. This time I really enjoyed the light in the clouds and sky.
Very dramatic with those stormy skies and varied rock colors.
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