Autumn Spectacle

October 20, 2014 Dan Traun 5 Comments

I love this time of year. The Autumn Spectacle that is the vibrant and radiant yellows, oranges and reds is almost past. The majority of Minnesota and Wisconsin is at or even past peak color. In my neck of the woods the color is holding fast. I have not had the time to go out and explore the color in my surrounding area. Cooler temps and winds will soon be here, but for now, I will enjoy it. I wish Autumn were 3-4 months in length. Winter could certainly be shorter as far as I am concerned.

I have managed to snap a few frames while traveling from here to there and back; here they are.

2014 (365), Daily Shots

10.20.14 – Lofty Wisps

October 20, 2014 Dan Traun 3 Comments

Lofty Wisps.

2014 (365), Daily Shots, Photography

10.19.14 – SPRGRL

October 19, 2014 Dan Traun

SPRGRL. #On The Road

2014 (365), Daily Shots, Photography

10.18.14 – Steel Panel Sunrise

October 18, 2014 Dan Traun 4 Comments

Steel Panel Sunrise.

Destination, Nature, Photography, Travel, Wildlife

Badlands National Park – The Wildlife #exploresd

October 17, 2014 Dan Traun 3 Comments

Badlands National Park – The Wildlife

Badlands National Park not only boast beautiful scenery, but also plentiful opportunities to view wildlife. We met the Western Meadowlark, mule and white-tailed deer, bighorn sheep, and many prairie dogs. The Prairie Dogs are quite entertaining to watch…our favorite wildlife in the park. We didn’t spy any bobcat, coyote, pronghorn or bison. We heard a lot of coyotes. Here are a few shots of the wildlife we experienced.

2014 (365), Daily Shots, Photography

10.17.14 – Legitimate Work

October 17, 2014 Dan Traun 2 Comments

Legitimate Work.

Destination, Photography, Travel

Badlands National Park – The Landscape #exploresd

October 16, 2014 Dan Traun 10 Comments

Badlands National Park – The Landscape

The Weather

We could not have asked for more perfect weather for our two stay in the Badlands National Park. We had bright blue skies with just the right amount of clouds. The storm clouds were the icing on the cake. The beauty of this land is in its vast and desolate nature. This protected land is comprised of just under 250,000 acres of eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires among the expansive prairie the makes up most of Eastern South Dakota.

Spending two days in the park to [hopefully] capture at least one sunsets and one sunrise provide ample time to explore the entire park and then some. We made several trips through the park along the main thoroughfare (240). If you have time, I highly recommend traveling on Sage Creek Road (590) and Conata Road (509) between Yellow Mounds Overlook and 44.

Here are some shot from a two days traversing the park.

2014 (365), Daily Shots, Photography

10.16.14 – Painters On High

October 16, 2014 Dan Traun 2 Comments

Painters On High.

Destination, Nature, Photography, Travel

Badlands National Park – The Landscape #exploresd

October 15, 2014 Dan Traun 17 Comments

Badlands National Park – The Landscape

Our second day started out early. There isn’t anything quite like making coffee at the picnic table by flashlight at 4 a.m. It is a titch more involved than hitting a button on a Keurig machine. In case anyone is wondering…there isn’t a coffee shop anywhere close and open at that hour…not in Interior, SD. With full mugs we set out and secured our sunrise spot at Door, Window, Notch Overlook in Badlands National Park. The scene was shaping up nicely. It is always preferable to see some clouds aloft. It was a pleasant early morning sipping coffee while watching the light of the new intensify. Here are a few shots of the sunrise unfolding over the rugged landscape of the badlands.

Sunrise @ Door, Window, Notch Overlook in Badlands National Park.

September 7th 2014. Sunset @ Badlands Wilderness Overlook in Badlands National Park.

We had a full day of touring the park admiring the landscape and wildlife. The grand views and fresh air were relaxing. Time flies when you are on vacation. It was sunset time before we knew it. Badlands Wilderness Overlook was a great choice for sunset. It is situated West of the Pinnacles entrance to the park South of Wall, SD along Sage Creek Road. While shooting the sunset we heard a number of coyotes howling in the distance. A sunset serenade – a first for both of us. Here are some shot from our sunset shoot at Badlands Wilderness Overlook.