Tag Archives: Sunset

Theodore Roosevelt National Park – North Dakota, The Landscape #TRNP

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) – The Landscape

Roosevelt first came to the North Dakota badlands to hunt bison in September 1883. During that first short trip, he got his bison and fell in love with the rugged lifestyle and the “perfect freedom” of the West.

Following Theodore Roosevelt’s death in 1919, the Little Missouri Badlands were explored to determine possible park sites. Civilian Conservation Corps camps were established in both of the future park units from 1934 to 1941, and they developed roads and other structures in use today.   President Truman established the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park on April 25, 1947, the only National Memorial Park ever established. In 1978, in addition to boundary adjustments and the establishment of 29,920 acres of the Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness, the park’s designation was changed to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. -wikipedia

I recently had the pleasure of spending 3 nights/4 days in TRNP with two other photog friends.  My goal was to photograph the wild horses in the park as well as capture a sunrise and sunset.  I also wanted to photograph the Elk and Bison in the park.  We accomplished all of that an more.

Sunset along East River Road, South of Wind Canyon Trail Head

Sunrise at Badlands Overlook

We arrived late afternoon on a Tuesday in early October.  It was windy and cold.  Watching the forecast leading up to the trip was interesting to say the least.  Weather, though, can change at any moment; it did.  There was no freezing rain to speak of and only a dusting of snow on the first and last morning we were there – all of which added to the already incredible beauty around us.  The frost on the second morning was epic.  At 19 degrees in the a.m., it stuck around for a long while even after sunrise.

A truly rugged and beautiful landscape awaits you at TRNP.  The vast open expanses of land inspire awe and wonder to those that gaze upon it.  Looking out across the land today it is hard to imagine the forests and swamps that used to be there.  [More on the geologic formations]

TRNP – South Unit

We spent the majority of our time in the South Unit looking for the wild horses.  There was plenty of time between sightings given the weather to take in the scenery.  So much beauty; so many acres.

There are coal veins burning in the park.  They were hard to detect the first few days because of the wind.  Once things calmed down some, the smoke was easy to see.  We first noticed it at sunrise on day 3 when it was 19 degrees.  We didn’t realize what it was until we got closer and could smell it; then we saw exactly where it was coming from.

I saw a smaller coal vein burning pretty close to the road

TRNP – North Unit

We took a short [long] break from the South Unit and headed to the North Unit.  It’s a quick one-hour jaunt one-way through the grasslands.  We did find an old cabin along the road to photography along with two dandy longhorn cattle.  The pronghorn’s were laying in the field until sensed I was stopping – off they ran.

The North Unit landscape if very pretty.  It is much like the South Unit, but seemingly with more trees; especially along the river.  The road is out and back; not a loop like the North Unit.

Cannonballs

The North Unit is home to bizarre cannonball rock formations.

Mineral-rich water deposits minerals as it seeps through porous sediment layers.  The minerals act like glue, binding the sediments together and forming concretions.  Concretions form in many different shapes and sizes.  Those that are spherical are called “cannonballs.”  For now, scientists can only guess why some concretions take on such a spherical shapes.

EXTRA

BALLYNAHINCH CASTLE – COUNTY GALWAY – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND ‪#discoverireland

Ballynahinch Castle

After taking in a spectacular Clifden Sky Road sunset, it was time to close out day 6 of our Ireland adventure.  We decided to switch up our B&B stays for one night and made arrangement to stay at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel.

Beautifully situated on the Owenmore river in the heart of Connemara, this former fishing and shooting lodge which once belonged to an Indian prince is completely authentic and unspoiled. Beloved of generations who know a good thing when they find it.  True to its origins, visitors come from all over the world to fly fish on one of the 8 beats along the river or shoot game in the mixed woodland, set against the stunning backdrop of the Twelve Bens mountains. Indeed game figures often on the menu, with delicious pheasant, wrapped in pastry, melt in the mouth venison, fresh salmon of course, scallops and lobster from the coast at Roundstone, just a few miles away. – read more | Ireland’s Hidden Gems

This originally modest sized country house grew considerably in size over the years to what it is today.  This 450 acres of pristine land is surrounded by woods and lakes with the Owenmore River running through the property.  I can only imagine what a thrill it would be to fly fish here.

Walking into the main building you could feel the over 600 years of history oozing from the rich and dark wood of its interior.

We were very tired from our day of travel and seeing many greats sites such as Aughnanure Castle, Friary of Ross Errilly, Cong, Roundstone and Clifden.  I am certain we were actively doing something 14-16 hours per day every day.  There is so much to experience in Ireland.  Today, day 6; halfway through our trip I think we were feeling it.  We were glad to get back to Ballynahinch and to our comfortable room.  We woke up early to explore the grounds and paths before breakfast.  It was a lovely morning with a very nice sunrise.  The weather was mild and the scenery inviting.

The food at Ballynahinch was insanely good.  We only had breakfast, but wow!  It was an amazing breakfast!  Move over Traditional Irish Breakfast.  It was all of that and more.  There was a tremendous buffet.  The video below gives you a glimpse of breakfast at Ballynahinch.  Needless to say I walked away from the table completely satisfied (stuffed) and ready for another full day of travel on our way to the Cliffs of Moher.

Ballynahinch Castle Hotel – A Manor House Hotel

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CLIFDEN – COUNTY GALWAY – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND ‪#discoverireland

Clifden & the Sky Road

Clifden

This was one of my favorite areas in Ireland along the Wild Atlantic Way.  The Sky Road loop leading West out of Clifden is pretty spectacular.  Part way around the loop is car park where Cyndie and I did a sunset shoot (red line).  The views to the South looking out over Clifden Bay was pretty amazing.  We did not make the trip around the entire Sky Road (orange line) as the sun had set and there would have been no views to behold.

We spent a fair amount of time at the car park watching the sunset take shape.  As we stood there we noticed movement up on the hill to our right.  It appeared as though the cow came out to take in the sunset; not long after the first cow showed up, another joined as well.

The Photographer’s Ehemeris

In case you are not aware, there is a wonderful online tool to aid with sunrises and sunsets.  I’ve used The Photographer’s Ehemeris for some time now.  It is a great tool to scout locations you’ll be traveling to .

Sunset Progression

This was one of the most beautiful sunsets I have had the pleasure of capturing in quite a while.  The colors were amazing, the weather cooperated and there were clouds that pulled it all together nicely.  I really wish I would have shot a time-lapse progression that evening.  The following gallery has several images captured as the sun was setting that evening.

I ordered 35″x14″ panoramic floatmount print of this sunset from Artmill.  It is hanging in my office at work.  I see it every day; it never gets old.  

 

Extras – watch these videos.  It’s worth your time.

Embrace the Wild Atlantic Way of Life

Soundtrack of Embrace the Wild Atlantic Way of Life by Walking on Cars – check out their CD – Everything This Way

The Sky Road

This video will take you all the way around the Sky Road loop starting at the Northern point (orange line above) around to the car park/look out West of Clifden.

Soaring over the Wild Atlantic Way

Connemara Tour Guide, West of Ireland

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2016-09-04 Evening Cruise

Evening Cruise

2016-09-04 Evening Cruise

2015-03-07 Sun Pillar #3

Sun Pillar #3

2015-03-07 Sun Pillar #3

2015-03-04 Sun Pillar #2

Sun Pillar #2

2015-03-04 Sun Pillar #2

2015-02-24 Sun Pillar

Sun Pillar

2015-02-22 Sun Pillar

A light pillar is a visual phenomenon created by the reflection of light from ice crystals with near horizontal parallel planar surfaces. The light can come from the Sun (usually at or low to the horizon) in which case the phenomenon is called a sun pillar or solar pillar. It can also come from the Moon or from terrestrial sources such as streetlights.

source: wikipedia.org

2015-02-08 Kellogg, MN Sunset

Kellogg, MN Sunset.

2015-02-08 Kellogg, MN Sunset