I took the day off

Last night I decided to take the day off. Technically, I don’t have a nine to five job so every day is a day off. Now my days off look different. It now means that I don’t get up before dawn to go out in the field to photograph at sunrise. I basically slept in. It’s a day to do stuff around the camper like cleaning, run errands, restock supplies and fix anything that may be broken. It’s a day to catch up on reading, reviewing my never ending list of emails, and organizing my equipment. I never get as much done as I hope. There are still more emails to read, more journals to read, and more cleaning to complete.

I had hoped to do some macro photography around the camper but the wind is blowing like crazy so that will have to wait for another day. In the meantime, I’m spending the day with my guy Scout.

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Keep exploring,

Wendy

Golden Hour

I’ve been reading an article about photographing at golden hour. That “magical” time at sunrise and sunset when everything is bathed in the golden glow. The article contained a lot of information on technical and creative issues, suggestions and the difference between the light at sunrise and sunset. It was interesting. I had read most of the information in other articles but it did make me realize something. I prefer sunrise over sunset. It’s not to say I never shoot at sunset because of course I do but I mostly go out at sunrise.

I never gave much thought as to why. Why do I prefer sunrise? The sun comes up really early this time of year, I mean like 5 am. That means I have to get up at 3 am to be ready and in position by 4 am. This means I lack for sleep. What makes me get out of bed that early and do it with glee? I think it’s the idea of a new beginning, starting over fresh, and the endless possibilities ahead for that day for both me and the wildlife. It’s having the wild to myself. Most people are not crazy enough to get up that early. I was of course up for sunrise this morning although I slept in to 4 am and I will likely be up again tomorrow. Will you join me?

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Keep exploring,

Wendy

Badlands

I’m in the badlands. Where did that name come from? The Lakota people called this area Makȟó Šíča or “land bad.” French fur trappers called the area “les mauvaises terres à traverser”, which means “bad lands to travel through.” I can’t even imagine traveling or living in this rugged landscape without a car. Now it is looked at as one of the most beautiful places in the US.

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Have a great week!

Photo of the Week

I’m here in the badlands for the month of June. I love this area with its prairies and rock formations. Of course the wildlife isn’t bad either.

Stay tuned for phots from the badlands over the next few week. Have a great weekend.

Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary

I had one of those happy accidents. As I was driving to The Mammoth Site, I saw a sign for a wild horse sanctuary. Most of you are aware of my love for wild horses. I believe that they belong in the wild not in holding facilities run by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Millions of tax dollars each year are spent rounding up and removing wild horses from their native lands. They are then held in holding facilities at more cost to the tax payer. Those that don’t get adopted, often end up in the slaughter pipeline even though it is illegal to export horses for slaughter.

I of course made the turn and followed the signs to the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary. Located just south of Hot Springs, the sanctuary was founded in 1988 by Dayton O. Hyde to provide a permanent refuge for America's wild mustangs. the sanctuary is over 10,000 acres and home to over 600 wild horses

Hyde became concerned about the growing number of wild horses being removed from public lands during Bureau of Land Management roundups. His vision was to create a place where unwanted or displaced mustangs could live out their lives with minimal human interference. The sanctuary is operated by the Institute of Range and the American Mustang and relies largely on donations and tourism. The sanctuary is funded completely by donations.

Dayton Hyde may be the brains behind the Wild Horse Sanctuary, but he is quick to clarify just exactly who it is that pumps energy into the place on a daily basis. “This place couldn’t survive without her,” Dayton Hyde says of Susan Watt, his friend, companion and dynamo that keeps the Sanctuary going. Mr. Hyde passed away in 2018 and Susan continues their shared mission today.

To learn more about the sanctuary, visit their website at wildmustangs.com

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South Dakota

I always try to stop a few places when I’m here in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Custer State Park is one place and the Crazy Horse Memorial is the second. It is located between Hill City and Custer, SD on SD HWY 16/385. The Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit whose mission is to protect and preserve the cultures, traditions, and living heritage of all North American Indians. After the 1939 World’s Fair, sculptor Korczak Ziolkowki (1908-1982) was invited by Chief Henry Standing Bear to the Black Hills to carve Crazy Horse. He did not immediately agree but after some time he accepted. He along with his wife Ruth Ross (1926-2014) raised 10 children who took part in this dream. Some of his grandchildren carry on the project today.

It was a cloudy day with the mountain completely fogged in when I arrived

Work officially began June 3, 1948. The first several years were spent building roads, house for Korczak, and staircase with over 700 steps to the top. The face which is the most recognizable feature to date was not completed until 1998. With modern equipment, the speed has picked up but it is still tedious work. Korczak knew it would not be completed in his lifetime but he vowed to work for as long as he could. His drawings and surveys are still used today as construction continues.

The project, The Indian Museum of North America, and The Indian University of North America are privately funded by donations and admissions to the complex. The sculpture itself is about a mile from the main complex buildings but they offer a bus ride to the base of the mountain for a small fee. If you visit, the trip to the base is worth the fee (I think it’s $5). It is an incredibly beautiful site and you might even see some mountain goats who like to hang out in the area.

To learn more about the memorial or make a donation, visit their website at crazyhorsememorial.org

“Never Forget Your Dreams.” - Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski

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The Mammoth Site

Today I headed to Hot Springs SD to visit The Mammoth Site. This is an active paleontological research site and museum preserving Ice Age fossils in their original location. More than 60 mammoths have been discovered at this site, mostly Columbian mammoths but there are at least two woolly mammoths discovered so far. The fossils date back date back approximately 190,000-140,000 years to the late Ice Age. The Mammoth Site was discovered in 1974 during a construction project in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Workers uncovered large bones that were later identified as mammoth remains. The discovery led to the development of the site as a research and museum facility. The Mammoth Site formed in a prehistoric sinkhole that filled with warm water from area hot springs, creating a natural trap. Mammoths and other animals entered the area and were unable to escape. Over time, their remains accumulated and were preserved in sediment. The dig site is completely indoors and can be visited at any time during the year.

The site is active with paleontologists working to uncover additional bones

This is definitely worth the visit especially if you are interested in fossils and the Ice Age. The dig site is the main attraction but there is a museum attached. I thoroughly enjoyed my time walking around. Be sure to scan the QR codes for short audio explaining what you are seeing in each area. Check back tomorrow when I tell you about the wild horse sancturary I stumbled across on my visit to Hot Springs.

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Photo of the Week

This photo was part of my 2026 calendar. I plan on making a 2027 calendar that will be up for sale just in time for Christmas. Look for it later this year.

Getting ready

Wildlife photography starts early in the morning, I mean really early. Before sunrise early. Tomorrow I’m planning a sunrise shoot at Custer State Park in SD. I try to have as much preparation completed today so I’m ready to hit the road early. What does that mean? Well, lets start with my equipment. I need to make sure all my camera batteries are charged. Fresh and formatted SD cards are ready to go in my camera(s). I check to make sure I have all the lenses I plan on using cleaned and in my camera bag. I determine if I will be using a tripod, monopod or ground pod and have them ready to go. I make sure everything is loaded in the truck the night before to save time in the morning.

I review the location I will be going. I have been to Custer State Park several times. I review my notes from my prior trips. I determine when sunrise will be, travel time to park so that I know how early I need to set an alarm. I have been reviewing the weather for a few days but continue to check back to see if there have been any changes in the forecast. If needed, I pack additional clothing and/or rain gear for the trip. If it is a new place, I will review online maps and determine the areas I think will be the best to photograph. If I get the chance, I might even do a scouting trip during the day before to pick out good locations. I make sure to have snacks and hydration ready to grab and go in the morning. The key is to be efficient and not forget anything

Lastly, I review what wildlife I anticipate seeing and/or what wildlife I am targeting for photos. I review my field journals regarding each species behaviors, ideal ecosystems and any other observations I have made in the past or gleaned from other photographers. This is key for me. I want to be able to anticpate what an animal may do so that I cam be positioned to photograph them. Since I’m still learning, I definitely don’t always get this part right but each time out is a learning experience.

I’m excited to get down there. I should definitely see bison, prairie dogs, and pronghorn. The wild burros are fun to photograph if you can find them. I have also observed mule deer and an occasional elk.

Mule deer captured with my Iphone at Custer State Park in 2025

The excitement will make it hard to sleep tonight but it will all be worth it tomorrow.

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Theodore Roosevelt National Park

There are 63 National Parks in the US system. I am not an expert on the National Parks by any means, but I have visited 12 to date with the hope of visiting all 63. Some I have spent several days; some I have spent mere hours. I am a wildlife photographer. I will not be telling you the best hikes to take. I only hike when I need to and as short a distance as possible. I will be discussing the history of the parks, wildlife present and general vibe when visiting. There are hundreds if not thousands of people online that can tell you more about hiking in National Parks. I am not the person for this, but I hope you stick around for my unique, nerdy review of the parks.

Theodore Roosevelt was one of the most influential conservation leaders in US history. Named in honor of the 26th president, Roosevelt credits his time in North Dakota after the death of his wife and mother on the same day (1884) with preparing him for his presidency. He later said that he “would not have been President” without his time in the North Dakota badlands.

In 1947, President Truman signed legislation creating the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. It was the only “National Memorial Park” ever in the US system. It was redesignated to a National Park in 1978.

The park consists of three separate “units”

1. The South Unit (Medora)

2. The North Unit (Watford City)

3. The Elkhorn Ranch Unit (heart of Roosevelt’s ranching years)

The entire park totals about 70,450 acres, with the Sout Unit being larger and more developed. I have visited this park twice. In August of 2024, I visited the North and South Units on separate days as they are approximately 70 miles apart. In May 2026, I visited the South Unit only. I have not visited the Elkhorn Ranch Unit.

Bison chilling along the roadside in the North Unit

Let’s discuss the North Unit first. It is smaller, more rugged and receives fewer visitors. It has a 28 mile out and back scenic drive. Some things to explore are Cannonball Concretions, River Bend Overlook, Oxbow Overlook, Sperati Point and Caprock Coulee Loop. Of the five hiking trails, Little Mo Trail (easy) and Caprock Coulee Nature Trail (easy to moderate) are the two with the least elevation gain. I recommend checking out the cannonballs which are a geological phenomenon of large, round sediment deposits.

Cannonball

I only spent a short afternoon here in 2024. I did drive the out and back scenic drive. One unique feature is the longhorn cattle. According to the brochure, they were introduced to the North Unit in 1967 as a demonstration of the historical cattle drives conducted in the area during the 1880’s. They are all steers (nonreproductive males) and can often be found near Longhorn Pullout. You will likely see bison somewhere along the drive. They say that there are Bighorn Sheep in the North Unit, but I didn’t see any during my short visit.

I have spent considerably more time in the South Unit. First, I would like to talk about the town of Medora. I was just camping there for five days. Most town activities seem to take place June thru September including several shows that take place daily. To learn more about Medora, check out their website at medora.com. On July 4, 2026, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library will be opening in Medora.

The entrance to the park is in “downtown” Medora. There is a 36-mile scenic drive loop and depending on how many stops you make, will take you about two hours to complete. Every time I have driven the loop, I have seen bison and prairie dogs. There are several prairie dog towns with pull-outs for you to stop and watch these little creatures play. Bison can be seen anywhere along the loop. The unique feature of the South Unit and the reason I have visited on two occasions is the presence of wild horses. In 2024, I didn’t see any wild horses along the loop but this year I had several encounters with the horses. The best place to see the horses is to take Exit 36 off Interstate 94 and follow the dirt road along the boundary fence. I have seen as many as 100 horses at a time in this area. You can also access the Upper Talkington Trail in this area. I have “hiked” two trail in this unit. The Coal Vein Trail is an area that was once burned by an underground coal vein fire. I also “hiked part of the Wind Canyon Trail. It is an area that was “sculpted” by wind instead of water and is incredibly beautiful at sunset. Both trails are easy but do contain stairs.

Wild horses as seen from the dirt road at Exit 36

The park averages between 700,000 and 800,000 visitors each year putting it in the middle of the pack in attendance. The busiest months are June, July, and August. Should you visit this park? I would say yes, at least the South Unit. It is worth a day or two stop. You could easily spend a day in the park and a day with activities in town. It provides beautiful Badlands landscape photography opportunities. As far as wildlife photography, the horses are the draw for me. You have bison and prairie dog opportunities but there are better locations like Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park for these species in my opinion. Overall, if you are not a wild horse enthusiast like me, I would have this on my list of parks to visit but probably not at the top.

As always, I welcome any feedback and questions. I plan to discuss a different National Park each month. Let me know your favorite.

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Goodbye

Goodbye Devils Tower, WY

Happy Memorial Day

Thank you to all that made the ultimate sacrafice.

Devils Tower, WY

Photo of the Week

I love these little critters.

This photo is from 2024 at Wind Cave National Park. Last night I spent an hour with my camera on a ground pod, laying prone just trying to get to eye level with these little ones to photograph them. It was worth every uncomfortable minute. Have a great weekend.

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The view

Sometimes you just have to sit back and enjoy the view.

I took this photo this evening at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (South Unit)

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Is this a bison or a buffalo?

What do you call this animal?

Here in North America, the term bison and buffalo is used interchangeably but they are not the same thing. This is the American Bison (Bison bison). It is native to North America. There are two main types of true buffalo: African buffalo (Africa) and Water buffalo (Asia). The two species really have little resemblance. Early European explorers used the term buffalo and it has stuck culturally to this day. I visited the North Dakota Cowboy Museum today and several of their displays referred to bison as buffalo. I even catch myself doing it sometimes. In my opinion, one of the best places to see bison is Badlands National Park. If you are ever in South Dakota, add a visit to your itinerary.

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American White Pelican

If you are like me, when you think of pelicans you think of beaches, oceans, and warm weather. Needless to say, I was surprised to see American White Pelicans as I approached Grahams Island State Park in ND

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

I have stated in the past that I don’t consider myself a birder. My bird identification skills are terrible. I love the eBird app, especially the sound identification. I was in the area to photograph water fowl. I didn’t have pelicans on my bingo card. If I had done a little research ahead of time, I would have anticipated seeing pelicans. You see, the prairie potholes are part of their breeding grounds. They migrate during the daytime and rely heavily on thermals. Did you know that the keratinous appendage on their bill is referred to as the “centerboard”. It develops in the spring shortly before breeding and naturally falls off in late summer. It is a pretty unique feature to this bird.

I love when I see something I didn’t expect. Have a great day.

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The prairie potholes of ND

I am in what is often referred to as the prairie pothole region. It is an ecological and geological fascinating area of North Dakota. I’m sure many of you have never heard that term before. It is a massive network of shallow wetlands pockmarking the grasslands of the state. It is also duck heaven.

Potholes were formed around 10,000 years ago, during the end of the Pleistocene epoch, the Wisconsin glaciation (the last great Ice Age) retreated across what is now North Dakota. As these massive glaciers melted and receded, they left behind a messy, uneven layer of glacial debris called "till." Blocks of ice broke off and became buried in this sediment. When those trapped ice blocks finally melted, the ground collapsed inward, leaving millions of shallow, bowl-shaped depressions. Because the landscape is geologically young, it never developed an "integrated drainage system"—meaning there are very few rivers or streams to carry the water away. Instead, these bowls catch spring snowmelt and rain, creating isolated wetlands. This unique landscape produces over 50% of North America’s migratory waterfowl every single year. This is prime breading ground for all kinds of mallards, gadwalls, blue-winged teals, northern shovelers, pintails, canvasbacks, and redheads. It has been an adventure exploring the area.

A surprise siting for me was the American White Pelican. I’ll be talking a little bit more about that tomorrow. Have a great day.

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Photo of the Week

I have some spotty internet connection this week so my posts may be a bit sporadic but I didn’t want to forget about the Photo of the Week.

This picture was from my first and only (unfortunately) trip to Maine in 2020. What a beautiful area. I was photographing Owl’s Head Lighthouse and was fortunate to capture this image. Have a great weekend.

New Adventures

After three days of driving, I have arrived in North Dakota. Yes, I took three days to get here. When towing the camper, I tend to drive slower and I usually stop every 300-350 miles. I’m just tired by this point therefore my trips take a little longer. Now I am here in the Prairie Pothole region of North Dakota to photograph migration. It is also a scouting mission since I have never visited this area. I’m staying at a state park. I had a nice chat with the ranger as I checked in and got some photo areas to explore tomorrow. I can’t wait to get back out in the filed and hopefully get some good shots. Stay tuned.

Hitting the Road

Today has been a day of packing and getting ready to travel again starting tomorrow. I’m ready and Scout is ready. A new adventure awaits. We will be visiting some new places and some familiar places. Stay tuned.