‘Traveling Through the Yellow Mounds’
Badlands National Park, SD
The late afternoon sun warmed up the rolling hills near the Yellow Mound Area of the Badlands National Park. The warm sunlight warmed up the grass-covered hills creating a glowing gold scene. This image was created during my first evening in the Park. I came back several times to get different perspectives of this beautiful area.
‘Sunset from Norbeck Pass’
Badlands National Park, SD
My previous post was from my last day in the Badlands. This image was my greeting on my first evening in the Park. It was a great way to start my Badlands adventure. During my seven day excursion, we photographed scenic vistas, intimate vignettes, wildlife, old abandoned buildings, sunsets, sunrises, harsh mid day brightness, color, infrared, and many other perspectives. The workshop was an opportunity to play and experiment, as well as creating serious images.
‘Light Rain Over the Badlands’
Badlands National Park, SD
I just returned from a great workshop with Tony Sweet and Sue Milestone in the Badlands of South Dakota. During our last day, we had some light rain which highlighted the striking colors over the terrain. The slight moisture brought out the normally subdued colors. What a beautiful sight!
“Dog Days of Summer”
Heatherwood Lower Yard
This week has been a scorcher with temperatures rising above 105 degrees! By 10 AM, the temperature reaches above 90 degrees. It is really too hot to do much of anything outside. But, it is a great time to create a few infrared images. I need to do a little IR photography practice as I prepare for a workshop in the Badlands of South Dakota in September.
‘Lower Yard Looking Northeast’
Heatherwood Summer
My eyes follow the lawn path through the lower garden up to Selah Bluff on the horizon. The infrared perspective puts me into a dream-like state. I wonder what is beyond the bluff. Beyond, the Wenas valley slopes to the Yakima River. Then another set of ridges rise up then down to the Ryegrass plateau. The plateau rolls along then descends down to the Columbia River. Ridges of the Yakima folds rise up from the river and level off into the farmlands of the Columbia Basin. A few small farm towns sprinkle the basin. Two-hundred miles away lies Spokane.
I then think of the sprawling metropolitan area between Olympia and Everett, and am thankful for where I live. I am a country boy at heart.
‘Lower Yard & Meadow’
Heatherwood Midsummer
Early in the morning on a midsummer day it is wonderful to be out in our Heatherwood garden. After a cup of coffee in the morning, we have our breakfast on the upper patio. This is the scene that we are blessed with. We look out over our lower yard and meadow to the our neighbors pastures. In the distance we see the ridges and the gap between Selah and Yakima. We can’t ask for a better way to start a midsummer’s day.
After breakfast we work/play a little in the garden before it gets too hot. By late morning, it is time to come inside to get relief from the hot sun. Temperatures continue to range between the high 80’s and mid 90’s. We are watering almost continuously twenty-fours a day to keep the lawn green and the plants healthy.
“Looking West From Meadow”
Heatherwood Spring
It is nice to live in the country. Heatherwood is surrounded by small farms with hay fields, horses, cows, chickens and rabbits. Red-tailed hawks constantly hover above in wide circles looking for their next meal. Coyotes cry out in the evenings. The surrounding hills and our neighbor’s homes are a nice backdrop for our Heatherwood garden. We enjoy the peaceful, bucolic countryside.
“Spring Cleanup”
Heatherwood Meadow
Spring is just five days away and we are making progress getting ready for the spring emergence! Grasses and perennials are being cut back, trees and shrubs are being pruned, and leaves and clutter are being raked up. Every day things are looking more neat and tidy.
“Future Garden Room”
Heatherwood Lower Garden
Throughout our Heatherwood Garden, we have designed several sitting areas that have a nice view of the garden and the surrounding hills. This area is in the southwest corner of the property looking east over an in-process garden room area and toward the background bluff. As we fill in the planting areas around the lawn and behind the chairs, this sitting area will be a secluded peaceful retreat. It will be a special place to watch the morning sunrise or a late afternoon’s amber glow on the garden and bluff.
“Entry to Lower Garden”
Heatherwood Winter
Welcome to Heatherwood! We welcome you to come in and enjoy our garden and the view of the bluff beyond. The grass entry leads from our neighborhood road into Heatherwood’s lower garden area. As one enters, the path opens up into garden rooms, woodland gardens, and grass lawns surrounded by various planting areas. The ridge above reminds our visitors of the unique geological history of the area.
One of our overriding objectives when we began Heatherwood’s design was to share it with others. As our neighbors walk along the road, we invite them to enjoy our garden.