Photo - Badlands National Park, South Dakota

I've heard mixed reviews about Badlands National Park so I was not sure what to expect when I got there. I was pleasantly surprised and highly recommend the park. The mix of grassland with the badland formations was something I have not seen before. It's a great contrast. I've been to many badlands in the desert southwest, but none with the color green as part of the landscape. The park has a main road that winds through the badlands with a variety of hiking trails and overlooks. Going in mid June seemed to be a good time for the wild flowers. Prairies dogs and bison add interest the fantastic landscape.

A view to the east
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 27.8mm
Exposure: 1/100 second at f/8 with circular polarizer
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Wild flowers
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 15.1mm
Exposure: 1/100 second at f/8 with circular polarizer
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Orange globemallow
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 15.1mm
Exposure: 1/320 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Along one of the hiking trails
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 40.8mm
Exposure: 1/500 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Along one of the hiking trails
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 53.4mm
Exposure: 1/400 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Along one of the hiking trails
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 60.4mm
Exposure: 1/400 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Clouds over the badlands
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 15.1mm
Exposure: 1/320 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

White mariposa
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 15.1mm
Exposure: 1/320 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Prickly pear cactus in blossom
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 15.1mm
Exposure: 1/280 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Badlands and pine forest
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 28.3mm
Exposure: 1/500 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Rugged peaks across from the visitor center
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 38.6mm
Exposure: 1/320 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

An eastern yellow bellied racer
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 60.4mm
Exposure: 1/320 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

An extremely ragged ridgeline
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 44.6mm
Exposure: 1/320 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Contrast - Grassland and badland
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 60.4mm
Exposure: 1/320 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

A view to the south
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 15.1mm
Exposure: 1/320 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

One of a million canyons
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 60.4mm
Exposure: 1/250 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

A ridgeline out in the grass
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 60.4mm
Exposure: 1/250 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Stepped grasslands and badlands
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 39.1mm
Exposure: 1/60 second at f/9 with circular polarizer
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Colorful hills and ridge
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 23.7mm
Exposure: 1/125 second at f/8 with circular polarizer
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Colorful hills and peak
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 60.4mm
Exposure: 1/100 second at f/8 with circular polarizer
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Colorful hills and wash
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 60.4mm
Exposure: 1/100 second at f/8 with circular polarizer
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Wild flowers and grass
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 15.1mm
Exposure: 1/400 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Bison
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 60.4mm
Exposure: 1/250 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

A prairie dog
Lens: Internal 15.1-60.4 mm, set to 60.4mm
Exposure: 1/200 second at f/8
Camera Mode: ISO 100 RAW

Photographer: Rick Scott
Date: June 14, 2013
Camera: Canon PowerShot G1 X digital camera
Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5 for RAW conversion and image processing.