South Dakota

connecting with South Dakota...

By the "Window"

I don't know what the minimum distance a path needs to be to be considered a hiking trail but the Window Trail in Badlands National Park is 0.15 miles long one way.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

The mood

Despite the clear path that draws the eye here, there is no trail leading down into the valley in these badlands.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Museum of mountains

If there were to be a museum of mountains, it would be here in Badlands National Park. Rolling hills of the Carpathians, sharp razors of Patagonia, and the massive Himalayas—everything is represented here. Various shapes and colors, just reduced in size a few dozen times.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

The Martian Chronicles

While some entrepreneurs promise to send people to Mars in the near future (apparently because there is not much left to f..k up on this planet), some people just casually travel there…

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Fondant

One day I will learn to predict which part of the sky will be lit up by the sunset or sunrise in the most beautiful way. Until then, I'll just have to run up and down the hills searching for the best composition and risking breaking my legs.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Badlands

While I might look so peaceful and balanced on this photo, I might actually be in panic mode, worrying about my tripod being knocked over by a sudden wind blast.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Fire and ash

One of the reasons I love photography is the absolutely priceless feeling of utmost balance and completeness that I experience when driving back after evenings like this. It doesn't matter what the final result, picture-wise, will be. What matters is the experience I've been lucky to live through.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

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