The Badlands … not so bad!

A recent 10-day trip took a friend and I to South Dakota, Wyoming, and back to Colorado again. Our first stop was The Badlands National Park. We were glad to see it wasn’t too crowded … as National Parks often are. The scenery is beautiful but also challenged me. I was reminded of how it is when you take a photography trip in unfamiliar territory. The landscape is large and foregrounds are often barren. We were lucky to have spring green grass leading up to the formations. I found interesting skies important in my approach and got lucky enough on a few occasions.

Last light falls upon the Badlands looking to the east.
‘Badlands Twilight’ © Denise Bush
The South Dakota sun rises over a Badlands landscape in spring.
‘Badlands Sunrise’ © Denise Bush
A beautiful spring morning in The Badlands National Park depicts how green it can be in the spring
‘Badlands Morning’ © Denise Bush
‘Green Valley’ © Denise Bush
A close-up of one of the yellow mounds in Badlands National Park.
‘Yellow Mounds Close-up’  © Denise Bush
The sun strikes a formation in the Badlands accentuating its jagged contours.
‘Badlands Sidelight’ © Denise Bush
Formations in The Badlands National Park can be smooth and display a variety of colors as seen in this view including some of the ‘Yellow Mounds’.
‘Undulations’ © Denise Bush
The spring green vegetation contrasts with the rough and barren Badlands of South Dakota
‘Spring Contrasts’ © Denise Bush
Grass in the foreground matches the warm colors of a Badlands formation.
‘Solo Peak’ © Denise Bush
Sunset lights up the sky before The Badlands retire for the night.
‘Goodnight Badlands’ © Denise Bush
A closer look at a colorful sunset in The Badlands shows the texture of the rugged rocks against a warm sky.
‘Sunset Close-up’ © Denise Bush

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denisebushphoto

My passion for photography has rewarded me with the opportunity to examine the world carefully. My approach is intuitive and I choose to impose no constraints – leaving myself open only to possibilities. As a professional designer I am drawn to images that offer a strong composition, pattern and rhythm. Creating images with a unique perspective while sometimes pushing the limits of traditional composition 'rules' excites me. Landscapes, nature subjects and things from the past are common themes in my work.

54 thoughts on “The Badlands … not so bad!”

  2. One of my favorite places! Both parents were from South Dakota, so we visited most of the state more than once!

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  5. Amazing photos! I passed through in September 2011 when I drove out to Calif and it was all dried up. In addition, we were there in the middle of the day. Your sidelit image, “Badlands Sidelight” is outstanding!!

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    1. Thanks Terry. We would go out in the morning and evening and nap or scout during mid-day. I’m glad you like ‘Badlands Sidelight’ … one of my favorites too.

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  7. Incredible geology and amazing shots, Denise. It looks a bit like Mordor, doesn’t it? 😉
    Did you see any wildlife there? It looks like there should be bison grazing on all that lush grass.

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  9. Now there’s some landscape I have never seen. Weird and wonderful to see. If there wasn’t grass in some of these I would expect to see Will Robinson, Dr. Smith and the robot make an appearance in one of these scenes. Neat stuff!

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    1. Yes … the landscape is kind of lunar. I wonder if any space themed movies or shows have been shot there. I’ll take you to Devil’s Tower in a future post … lots of aliens there!

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  14. Very nice as always! My favorite is Sidelight on the Badlands.

    Sounds like a fun trip!

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  17. Well, I’d never guess by looking at these that it was a challenge for you – they are all excellent. “Sidelight.” “Undulations” and “Spring Contrasts” are fun to see one after the other – what a varied landscape! For some reason Yellow Mounds Closeup and Green Valley are not there – just the title.

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    1. Thanks for letting me know your favorites. Too bad they didn’t all load. That has happened to me on other blogs and usually if I go away and come back it resolves.

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  19. Your images are always outstanding Denise you’ve captured the Badlands with grace and style I’m sure you were going to do very well on selling a lot of these just beautiful

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  22. Such a beautiful place – yes, doesn’t seem so bad. 😊 The “Sidelight” composition is my absolute fav. I’ve come to really appreciate all the skill, creativity and professional technique that goes into each photo.

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  24. We traveled through the badlands in the late 90’s. It is so starkly beautiful, but I don’t think I wopuld like to live there. I love my green too much. The quality of the light changes the colors so much and you have done a great job capturing the different hues. I can’t pick a favorite.

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