Standing in the pasture to compose my barn in the foreground for the storm and lightning, I was surrounded by explosions. I stayed out as long I dared, trying to capture lightning bolts. The depth in the clouds were amazing and the beauty of the storm now forever to be remembered.
How many can just turn off the lights and have immediate access to the Milky Way? I flipped the switch on our yard light and was instantly surrounded by darkness. Increasing my camera’s sensitivity and setting my exposure for 20 seconds, the camera can fully capture what the eye cannot fully comprehend.
While scouting for interesting locations near Brookings, SD, I came across this small lake. The bare tree trunks standing in water fascinated me. It was a peaceful evening and I wanted something to reflect the peace of the water. As I set up my camera and tripod, the gentle wisp of a cloud passed through. This made the composition and…
The jagged landscape shoots towards the sky. Surrounded by the northern Great Plains the Badlands feel like mountains, especially if viewed from the base. The last light of sunset touches the clouds in pink. A surreal, yet comforting solitude encompasses the soul.
Hunting for the state flower in the spring is always a fun adventure. I returned to a favorite location during a wet spring snow. I was delighted to find several small clumps of hearty pasque braving the weather, seemingly unaffected by the cold.
In order to see the Milky Way, one needs to be far from light pollution to allow the camera a long exposure time to fully capture the colors. Here is the Milky Way reflecting off the water of a stock dam out on the South Dakota prairie. In this photograph, I used the Sunny White Balance to allow the blue tones…
Cone-flowers are such joyful prairie blooms-vibrant colors that stand out among the grasses, paying tribute to their Maker. The evening started with dark clouds and scattered rain but gave way to lovely blue skies, characteristic of a peaceful summer’s day.
In July, I spent an evening near the White River shooting the river breaks as the sun set. To create the brush like texture of this photograph I used my camera as more of a paintbrush, which created motion blur. I call this print "Rolling Prairie," which depict the colors of the moving landscape as they roll and blend together. They are…
Taken in September as we rounded up one of the herds in prep for preconditioning. I was laying on the old railroad tracks that border the pasture just west of Okaton, trying to keep low so the cows wouldn't spook and turn the other way.
When I describe South Dakota to those who have never been here, this photograph is what I attempt to say. My words do not compare with the beauty and vastness of this open prairie. The rolling hills in shadow of evening. The massive sky. The grand orchestra of cloud formations. In the words of my husband, “This is God’s County.”
The Dry Creek Fire has left many scars upon my heart. The physical and emotional stress of the aftermath has weighted heavily upon me. A month or so after the fire, I ventured along a favorite road north of the White River searching for the yucca. The sky that evening was magnificent and touched my heart with hope as I…
The view towards the White River, taken at the Stamford hill. Stamford was one of the towns along Hwy 16 (now SD Hwy 248) that runs across South Dakota. Today, unless you knew it was there, remnants of the town are hardly noticeable.
When her kids were little, my sister-in-law received this longhorn cow from her dad. She was the start of their small longhorn herd. Her name is Stella. Completely content to let me take her portrait, Stella posed for me.
Have you ever spent an evening near Sylvan Lake in the summer? Most of the day’s visitors have gone and you begin to feel as though it’s just you nestled in this little treasure in the heart of the Black Hills.
There's something to me about the granite lines of the rock that come out in a black and white photo. The smoothing of the water and clouds from a long exposure add a touch of movement to a still image.
Twilight was born on the family ranch 30 years ago. As a boy, my brother-in-law trained her. She was my husband Marty’s horse for many years until we got married and then she taught me. Riding her has always been a joy as she eagerly does her job (cutting cattle is especially a favorite skill of hers). When our children…
I was given the opportunity to soar over Badlands National Park in late summer. It was incredible to view the landscape from the air with the windows open and my camera hanging out. The textures found in the Badlands, mixed with the angled sun create great natural contrast and interesting perspectives from the surrounding prairie.
“My Savior God to Thee, how great Thou art, how great Thou art!” St. Pete’s stands as a beacon on the prairie, seen from 30 miles surrounding it’s hilltop vista. Each day witnessing the fierce beauty of the changing seasons.
Needles Highway is one of my favorite drives through the Black Hills, especially the area surrounding Cathedral Spires. On this particular day, I had been setting up my art show booth at the Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival, the end of September. I wanted to venture out to Cathedral Spires in the evening in order to capture the eastern sky that…
Vibrant wildflowers grace the floor of Badlands National Park in spring. Hiking along Castle Trail brings many joyful sites of their natural habitat. Stemless Point-vetch blooms create a bright contrast to the surrounding roughed landscape.
One of South Dakota’s most iconic agricultural landscapes. Found in the rolling hills west of the Missouri River in Jones County, where both farmers and cattle ranchers make full use of the land in order to feed the world.
