Hungry for adventure, I pointed my car east on Saturday. The sky was bruised and swollen, like America last week. My destination? The Badlands.
Tara had to go into work for a few hours and had chores to do after, so it was just me. Quite literally; I had the entire 242,756 acres practically to myself – a sharp contrast to the tourist hordes that descend upon the park in the summer months.
The temperature hovered around 30º, but there was little wind and I was dressed for the weather, so it wasn’t too bad. It felt like winter, even if it didn’t look like it given the lack of snow that normally blankets the park this time of year. I’m happy to report I found the adventure I craved. There was wildlife galore, including white prairie dogs. I never even know they came in those colors until yesterday.
I even ventured out for a hike on a new-to-me trail…one that I am vowing to return to in warmer months.
I don’t think I’ve ever visited the Badlands when the weather was gloomy. Normally we wait for clear skies, and while the rock formations are striking against a blue backdrop, the colors still pop beneath a blanket of gray.
In a past life, I would venture to the ocean during those periods when my soul was in need of soothing. These days, I find solace on the prairie — about as far from the sea as one can get.
I arrived home a little before 4:00, the somber sky growing incrementally darker as the invisible sun coasted to the horizon.
And felt brighter than ever.
Mark My Words 
To paraphrase Firesign Theater: The sun’s not going down, the horizon is moving up.
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So many possible metaphors there. I like it.
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The pictures are stunning. You should do a comparison one time, stand in the same spot on a sunny day, and a rainy day etc and then compare. 🙂
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That’s a great idea! I already have photos from some of these same spots…I’ll make it a point to try to capture all four seasons and post after. With credit to you for the idea, of course!
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No need to credit me. 🙂
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Wow! This is awesome.
The colors are different, but it reminds me a little of Sedona, Arizona.
Nice critter shots. White prairie dogs. Who knew?
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There are similar colored mounds in Oregon, too…a place called the Painted Hills. I’m a sucker for geology and whatnot.
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I love me some rocks.
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White prairie dogs? Interesting and dare I say cute. Your photos are calming.
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I’ve always liked prairie dogs, so I was especially thrilled to find the white models.
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It was overcast the day we were there. I’m not sure what’s better for photos. I’d like to see a white prairie dog.
Btw, if you know what Bijoux translates as, that’s my nickname. From there, you can figure out my real name. Shhhhhh……
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Ahh. I’ll have to put on my detective’s cap and figure this one out!
I’m a sucker for the contrast between blue skies and the colorful mounds, but bright sunshine does tend to wash out the colors. I think the photos of the Yellow Mounds above are the most striking I’ve taken in the many times I’ve visited.
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The prairie was the ocean once! Good enough.
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Yes! And the evidence is right here in yellow and red. I like the way you think.
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Wow. Waxing poetic in this one. Nice. I didn’t know white prairie dogs existed either. Is it a winter coat thing? (Too lazy to click the link you conveniently provided.)
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Nope…it’s a genetic mutation, but not albinism. There are a few colonies of white prairie dogs in the U.S., including this one right here in Ye Olde Badlands.
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I didn’t know prairie dogs came in a white version, how cute!
Glad you got out for some nature time and took these pics for the rest of us 🙂
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I could pretend that I did it just for my readers, but nah…I needed this.
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We were fascinated when we visited the Badlands a few years back… no wildlife other than bison but loved the name. We don’t have names like that in the UK, although I’ve since discovered “Lonesome” in South London. Every bit as bleak but more urban!
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Ironically, up until last year it was tough to find bison in the Badlands. They were relegated to land well off the beaten path as part of a conservation effort, but they reopened 22,000 acres to bison a little over a year ago, and now you’re almost guaranteed to see them when you visit.
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Back then we didn’t realise how lucky we were in oh-so-many ways
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It’s only 7 or 8 hours away. We’ve driven through it once when returning home from a long road trip, but we really have to get over there for a proper visit.
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Ahh, but the Badlands demand a proper visit (one full day)…especially since you’re so close. Then you can hit up Wall Drug while you’re at it!
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One full day? In the Badlands? That’s it?!
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That’s just a start!
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I just read the word “pivot” for the third time today. Now that you mentioned it, I can’t stop seeing it!
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Ha! It’s one of those words that was all around you and you just never noticed it before. Now you can’t ever un-notice it!
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Same thing happened after someone pointed out how tired they are of hearing “these unprecedented times.” Yep, EVERYwhere!
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I saw your amazing photo on Instagram, Mark. You create an excellent image “…sky was bruised and swollen….” and the sad part about America. Your photos of the animals are amazing. I am transported, like you say, to an adventure. I get it on the “soul was in need of soothing.” Thank you for sharing a beautiful post.
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Thank you, Erica/Erika! Hopefully metaphorical blue skies are ahead.
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Amazing pictures and those white prairie dogs are too cute!!!
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