Taken in September as we gathered 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.
Free. Graceful. This beautiful fine art print features Cristen's black mare, Shadow, as she ran free one lovely fall afternoon through the pastures of Cristen's ranch.
When I describe South Dakota to those who have never been here, this photograph is what I attempt. 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 view towards the White River, taken at the Stamford hill. Stamford was one of the towns along Hwy 16 (now SD Hwy 248). Today, unless you knew it was there, remnants of the town are hardly noticeable.
I have never seen anyone try photographing the Milky Way with horses. Since they move, they aren't an ideal subject to add to the image but I wanted to see what I could come up with. Needing the camera open for at least 20 seconds with a high ISO to gain the correct exposure, I thought Rock was sleeping and…
This is Stella. She was the start of a longhorn herd on a family ranch. Though she may appear intimidating, she was perfectly harmless and rather content to let me take her portrait, posing for me as I crouched near the ground to add the clouds behind her.
With anticipation, I hiked to the base of Cathedral Spires hoping for clouds to add supporting elements into the landscape. After all, a cloudless sky is not a photographer’s friend. How can I describe the moments of quiet in the presence of these carvings, both a gift from the Lord. On the trek back to the car in near darkness,…
Twilight was born on the family ranch 29 years ago. As a boy, my brother-in-law trained her. She was 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 first learned…
"Cathedral Spires is my favorite area in all of the Black Hills! I love the jagged rocks that shoot out of the middle of the mountain range." On this particular night, Cristen finished setting up her art show booth at the Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival the end of September 2017. She was running out of time and wanted to get…
Longhorns are beautiful with so much character in their varied colors and tones, but what captivates me most is, of course, their horns. I chose high key black and white in my final process for this photograph. Shooting from low to the ground in order to isolate the horns against the sky.
I didn’t grow up with horses and wasn’t really one of those horse crazy girls. Now I can’t imagine my life without them. I've learned so much about trust and patience from our horses. A day with them will clear just about any blues.
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…
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.
Similar in design to a giant dandelion once it has gone to seed, the Yellow Salsify closely resembles a yellow mum at full bloom. Found scattered throughout South Dakota’s pastures it is one of many wildflowers that decorate the prairie.
