Overlooking the Lower Garden
Heatherwood, Late Summer
The clouds were forming crazy shapes as they moved across the sky. They overshadowed the view of Heatherwood and the valley below. They presented an eerie feeling as I walked out onto the lawn. It was a strange occurrence on a hot summer day in the mid-90’s. To emphasize the sky, I used infrared to create the feeling that the clouds produced.
View from Our Patio
Heatherwood & Selah Ridge
During the last two years I have been focusing my photography in our Heatherwood garden using my standard visible light camera and presenting how I see the garden in color. I was becoming stuck looking at things in the same way. Yesterday I brought out my infrared camera from retirement and took a stroll through the garden. I looked at the garden around me with a different perspective seeing the landscape with a new view. The color was gone; the sky was dark; vegetation was white; greens and reds were the same tone; clouds were dreamy. Beauty presented itself in a different way.
At times I tend to get trapped in looking at life from a set perspective. It feels good and gives me balance when I step back and open up my mind to other viewpoints, focusing on a positive perspective. Opportunities open up. Life is more enjoyable!
Across from the Visitor’s Center
Banlands National Park
During my workshop in the Badlands, our group passed by the Visitor’s Center almost daily. This scene is just across the road from the center. Every day it had a different perspective. On my last day in the park, it was cloudy. The clouds and the filtered light accentuated the contrast between the hills and the sky as well as the trees. Infrared made the contrast even greater. I was thankful that I stayed an additional day in the park.
Record of Changing Time
Badlands National Park
The exposed hills of the Badlands paint a picture of changing time. Each line on the hills represent a period of time where things were changing on our planet. It is hard to fathom that this area was once a giant sea bed that covered the central part of our continent. Layers upon layers of sediment illustrate the layers of time as our current central landmass was slowly building up. As the sea receded, the atmospheric winds and rains eroded the hills creating crevices and valleys that now host emerging plant life. What is next in the continuing evolution of our planet?
Devil’s Tower
Devil’s Tower National Monument, Wyoming
On my recent trip to the Badlands, I took a several hour detour to see Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. I drove into the park and was disappointed when I encountered a stopped line of traffic. After what seemed to be an eternity, I slowly moved around a corner and saw a sign, “One Hour to Parking Lot”. I grumbled and turned around and started driving back to the park entrance. After a bit, I broke out into the open from the tree lined road. I looked up and saw this sight. Ah ha!!! It was worth the drive.
Antique Furrower
Eastern Washington Farm Lands
As I was driving along back roads in Eastern Washington, I saw what I thought was an old abandoned farm implement standing alone in a field. To my surprise, even though this old furrower was heavily rusted, it was still in working order. The evidence was the recently plowed field and the stretched out cables that were ready to hook up to a tractor.
Old Homestead
South of Odessa, Eastern Washington
Roaming around back roads in eastern Washington, I discovered this old abandoned homestead house. At one time it was a quaint setting surrounded by trees. A curving path led up to the front door. What was once a front yard is now covered by tumbleweeds. I wonder how many families over the years resided here. How long has it been abandoned? Many such little pieces of history sprinkle the eastern Washington farm lands.
View from the Visitors Center
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Photographing in infrared is perfect for midday. All I need are a few clouds in the sky and some interesting foliage. This framed view is directly across the park road from the Visitors Center. It is great place to catch a little food and a photo or two.
Old Farm
Eastern Washington State
When I get a chance, I like to get off the main roads and explore from time to time with no set purpose. This day I was on my way back home from South Dakota and was tired of driving along I-90 in Eastern Washington. I decided to turn off toward the town of Odessa. Driving along a dirt road, I came across this lonesome old homestead. The old farm was still inhabited. It had a small farm house nestled in the trees behind the barn. The buildings were old and unpainted, but well kept up. The grounds were clean and neat. There were no signs of active farming. A white pickup was parked just out of sight behind the barn.
Before getting out to photograph, I sat in my Jeep and wondered what the people living here were doing. It looked like they occasionally had some animals in the fenced areas and barn. But I could not see any other evidence of active farming. All around the area were large active farms of wheat, hay, and other grains. Here was just sage brush and one or two old abandoned farm implements. I imagine the owners are people who love the rural life and have day jobs in other areas.
‘Curves’
Badlands National Park, SD
The first time I was in the Badlands, I was driving my little red sports car. It was early spring and not many people were visiting the park. I had a great time driving the windy roads and enjoying the beautiful scenery. It was just not quite the same this trip, driving my Jeep Grand Cherokee! At least with my Jeep, I was able to pull off more frequently along the side of the road and create an image or two.