great TED talk on the effect of photography

here

Does the Ivory-billed Woodpecker still exist?

Maybe!

Thanx Gail R

Vivian Maier

If you are not already familiar with Vivian Maier, you should be. She produced thousands of fascinating photographs of every-day life over a period of 50 years. The recently discovered photos are being catalogued and made available for viewing.  If you are familiar with Maier, you will want to check out the recent web site documenting her work at:  http://www.vivianmaier.com/   To learn about Vivian, start with the "About" tab before exploring the rest of site. What surprised me was the quality of her work in color.

Christ is risen!

sunrise at Blue Cloud Abbey

This concludes our photo presentation of my recent trip to the Black Hills and the Badlands.

My wish for you is a Blessed and Happy Easter!

Cottonwood, SD

It was late afternoon -- 6 hours to get back to Blue Cloud Abbey -- but after passing Cottonwood, I had to turn around and take a look at this town that looked abandoned. A later web search showed a population of 6 during the 2000 census. I didn't have a chance to talk to any locals, but there must be some interesting stories in Cottonwood.

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the last sunset of my trip -- from my room at Blue Cloud Abbey, Marvin, SD

(more to follow)

big Buffalo

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as I was leaving the Badlands, I came upon another herd of Buffalo

these seemed to be quite a bit larger than ones I had seen earlier

I don't think this one liked me

they can move very fast when they want to

I decided to move on;  he was twice as big as my Honda

(more to follow)

Prairie Dogs and Meadowlarks

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I thought I had seen a lot of Prairie Dogs on my trips to Nebraska to view cranes. That was nothing compared to the numbers in the northwest corner of the Badlands along Sage Creek Rim Road.

I'm wondering if the black spots were just the ever-present wind parting the fur

this couple was my favorite

I was surprised by the number of Meadowlarks. They were everywhere. You could hear them singing even with the car windows closed. But they were not always easy to spot ...

... until they turned to face you.

(more to follow)

memory cards

Excellent advice on memory cards from Scott Bourne.

more Bighorn Sheep

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(more to follow)

that sheep may safely graze

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more sun would have been nice -- I guess I have to go back

the road heading west was taking me to lower ground

that sheep may safely graze

(more to follow)

addendum

For some reason I overlooked posting an iPhone shot from inside the Wagon Wheel Bar & Grill. It should have been at the end of my April 18th post. I loved the colors, so here it is.

in to the middle of the Badlands

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this is how the iPhone camera sees the Badlands

(more to follow)

from Circle View into the Badlands

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the sunrise view from my window at Circle View Guest Ranch

Owners, Phil and Amy Kruse, have a fantastic back yard! The morning breakfast was delicious and filling. The morning coffee was among the best I've had. When I asked Amy what kind of beans she used, she replied with a slight grin, "Folgers!" Of course, I didn't tell her that I am a bit of a coffee snob. The only explanation I have is that she made it extra strong -- or was it the clear, fresh air, views that didn't stop, and old fashioned hospitality? I highly recommend Circle View (a few miles west of Interior on Highway 44).

Before heading into the Badlands, I had to tour Interior. If the resolution on your computer prevents reading the sign, it states:

INTERIOR

I was born of wagons west. The oldest town in the Badlands. I’ve known drought and winters, fierce storms. Three times fire has swept my streets. Yet, my rodeos were known through out the N.West. Yakima Knute -- Stroud -- Earl Thode, champions all have ridden my arenas. The great Jim Thorpe has played my fields. The early music of Lawrence Welk has sounded in my nights. This is a land that bred great Indian chiefs and mighty warriors -- now it is a land of neighbors.

WELCOME -- TRAVELER

and into the Badlands we go

near the entrance of the Park I was greeted by this small herd of deer

(more to follow)