Jun 24, 2018 | 7 Image Stories, AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, AF-S DX 12-24mm f4G IF ED, AF-S DX VR 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED, Badlands, Nature, Nikon D200, Nikon D300, Places, The Great American Prairie, Wind Cave
The Great American Prairie | a 7 Image Story Thunderstorms rumble over the Great Plains frequently during the summer months. In fact, they are almost one of the trademarks of the Great American Prairie; ranging from the Rocky Mountains to the Midwest and from Canada to Oklahoma. The great mid section of the North American continent loves thunderstorms. Illinois was once covered with tall grass prairie. This fertile land has been mostly converted to farming land. Still, it’s possible to find restored prairie in Illinois. Several state parks and recreation areas contain prairies and prairie restorations.
The American Bison, our National Mammal, symbolizes the Great Plains. The largest land animal in North America; at one time millions roamed the grasslands of North America from Alaska to Mexico. Just like much of the Great American Prairie has gone the way of the plow; so the Bison have gone. Today, small herds are maintained Canada and the USA; mostly in state and national parks.
Pronghorn are an original Native American animal with no close relatives. Although often called an antelope, they are not antelope. They belong to a family of their own; one of a kind. Pronghorn are symbolic of the grasslands and The Great American Prairie. They are renowned for being North America’s fastest land animal; running at speeds over 50 mph. Actually, pronghorn is also the second fastest land animal in the world after the cheetah. Although the cheetah is a bit faster, pronghorn can run at high speeds much longer than the cheetah. Prairie dogs have so much fun just being prairie dogs. This family has the good fortune to live in Wind Cave National Park; perhaps my favorite national park. Wind Cave NP sits in the middle of mixed grass prairie.Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category The Great American Prairie.
Click any image below for a slide show!
Feb 26, 2018 | 7 Image Story Posts, AF-S PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, Daily Image 2018, Landscape, Nikon D3x, On a Clear Day, Wind Cave
On a Clear Day | Tree at Wind Cave This lone tree has been one of my most frequent subjects in one of my favorite national parks , Wind Cave. And, I have actually captured a couple of images of it I like, although it has been a challenge. Many times the sky and weather haven’t cooperated with my visit. I can’t wait until my next visit. Maybe, I’ll capture a better image. To see the entire story with all seven images, go to On a Clear Day | a 7 Image Story.
Feb 25, 2018 | 7 Image Stories, AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, AF-S DX 12-24mm f4G IF ED, AF-S DX VR 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED, AF-S PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, Badlands, Grand Tetons, IMHO, Michigan, Montana, Nikon D200, Nikon D3x, On a Clear Day, Wind Cave, Yellowstone
On a Clear Day | a 7 Image Story Most people like a clear day. Some days are obviously clearer than others. These 7 images represent some of my clearest days, although not the absolute clearest. (My clearest day was in Alaska while flying northwest out of Fairbanks.) We also expect more from images on a clear day. They are supposed to be good. After all, it was a sunny, clear day. These images also come from some of my favorite places: the Grand Tetons, the Badlands, Wind Cave, Yellowstone, Montana, and flying.
The Grand Tetons get many clear mornings. Low lying fog along the Snake River still lingers for this mid morning image. Fall color in Teton country provides many contrasts between the flats and the mountains. The lone tree has been one of my most frequent subjects in one of my favorite national parks, Wind Cave. The Montana countryside is clear and filled with contrasts. With hay stacked sky-high, the Bridger Mountains stand many miles in the background. Northbound along the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan, it’s a clear day, CAVU. Reflect on the grandeur. Rocks at the Badlands are truly inspiring with their stark contrasts and large rock formations. The great plains are known for their thunderstorms. Sure, this Storm over the Badlands was a very lucky click to capture the lightning. Although Yellowstone is not necessarily known for its mountains, the mountains help put the rainbow in perspective.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category On a Clear Day.
Click any image below for a slide show!
Jun 15, 2014 | AF-S PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, Daily Image 2014, Landscape, Nikon D3x, Wind Cave
Wind Cave NP Perhaps my favorite national park , Wind Cave, never disappoints. This lone tree has been one of my most frequent subjects. And, I have actually captured a couple of images of it I like, although it has been a challenge. Can’t wait until my next visit. Maybe, I’ll capture a better image.
May 5, 2014 | AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, Daily Image 2014, Nikon D300, Prairie Dog, Wildlife, Wind Cave
Prairie Dog Family Again, it’s all about the babies in April and May. Prairie dogs have so much fun just being prairie dogs. This family has the good fortune to live in Wind Cave National Park; perhaps my favorite national park. And, Wind Cave has thousands of prairie dogs with many very close to the one gravel road traversing the park.
Jun 4, 2013 | AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, Daily Image 2013, Nikon D300, Pronghorn, Wildlife, Wind Cave
Pronghorn at Wind Cave Pronghorn, the fastest land animal in North America, are also beautiful and graceful. During my annual Badlands trip, pronghorn are a plentiful subject. Again, since I am not able to go this year, this image helps me remember happy times at Wind Cave NP.
Mar 3, 2013 | AF-S PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, Black & White, Fine Art Portfolio, Landscape, Nikon D3x, Wind Cave
Lone Tree at Wind Cave: a good image of this tree has eluded me for several years. I have probably taken hundreds, maybe thousands 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 just a great park; 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.
Then, I returned twice in 2009, once in 2010, and now once in 2011. 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, I just got lucky. Anyway, this image seems better to me.
