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.
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. Sylvan Lake is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
This photograph showcases the eastern side of Cathedral Spires as sunset begins to glow behind the rock. Nestled in the heart of the Black Hills of western South Dakota, the Spires are a favorite stop for locals and visitors to the area.
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.
There’s nothing like a summer evening stroll along the Sylvan Lake trail. Nestled in the heart of the Black Hills Sylvan Lake is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. My son and I were on a recent hiking trip in the area and spend some time along the water’s edge enjoying the peace-fullness of a warm breeze and cool…
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.
"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…
Saddles are more than just tack, they’re an intimate part of a riders story - So much history is behind the scenes of this beloved piece of western heritage-the creation of the saddle maker, miles of moving cattle, brandings, training, fears overcome and confidence boosted; memories of childhood. ‘The Hand’ belongs to my brother, made by Brice Roghair (my brother-in-law) of…
Saddles are more than just tack, they’re an intimate part of a riders story - So much history is behind the scenes of this beloved piece of western heritage-the creation of the saddle maker, miles of moving cattle, brandings, training, fears overcome and confidence boosted; memories of childhood. ‘The Hand’ belongs to my brother, made by Brice Roghair (my brother-in-law) of…
The clouds of South Dakota rarely disappoint and this evening was no exception. As my family and I sat down to supper, I looked out the kitchen window and was completely lost in the majestic array of the heavens. The clouds seemed to shoot out of the top of the tree, imitating the foliage below. I excused myself from the…
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.
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. …
Saddles are more than just tack, they’re an intimate part of a riders story - So much history is behind the scenes of this beloved piece of western heritage-the creation of the saddle maker, miles of moving cattle, brandings, training, fears overcome and confidence boosted; memories of childhood. 'The Rancher' is my husband, Marty's, saddle, crafted by his brother, Brice. Marty's…
I never fail to spot Big Horns in Badlands National Park when my husband is with me. While I pay special attention to the landscape, he searches for wildlife. Nestled among the sweet clover, this older ram relaxes as he watches the landscape.
On my first trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, my husband and spotted a small band of the wild horses along the river. We hiked in and spent a good portion of our afternoon with them. This old and beautiful gray stallion was a favorite. With burs in his mane, he gives off a wild and free appearance.
“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 rugged landscape.
This is the view from my favorite hill on the ranch, Glorious Splendor. The storm rolled by the Great Plains near Okaton, South Dakota, at sunset, releasing what meteorologists call virga, a streak of precipitation that evaporates before reaching the ground. Red tones highlight the late winter grasses as the colors in the sky explode from the setting sun reflected…
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.
