I’m fairly convinced that there’s some sort of giant prism hovering directly over the Black Hills region. A prism – you know, that multi-sided glass thing that your grandparents used to hang in the windows? The crystal-looking thing that would turn sunlight into all of the different colors? Yes, that one.

In my imagination, the one over the Black Hills looks something like this – except Huge.

I’ve come to this completely logical conclusion because I’m continually amazed at the brilliant natural colors that make regular appearances here in the region. Sometimes it’s a sunrise, sometimes a sunset – that catches my attention. Other days, it’s the brightly colored Black Hills vegetation or the varied wildlife that calls the area home.

Just a couple of evenings ago, while driving along Hwy 85 between Deadwood and Spearfish, I watched as some ominous storm clouds rolled in from the northwest. The sun was nearing the horizon, while the blueish-gray clouds were quickly forming a Swiss cheese-like ceiling above the Black Hills.

The sunlight appeared to shine both through the clouds and sideways across the plains, lighting up this hillside like a firecracker. The bright green of the human-managed hay field. The soft golden-yellows and reds of the natural grasses. The subtle browns of the fence posts and barbed wire.

The colors were all playing so nicely with the light and shadows that I just had to pull over and get a photo of the whole scene. The shot below is what I ended up with.

I was pretty satisfied with how it turned out, but it got me thinking about the bigger picture – no pun intended – of how the Black Hills and Badlands region really is a paradise for photographers of all interests and abilities. The endless mixture of natural beauty, cultural activity and unpredictable weather makes this place an ever-changing visual feast all year long. So, keep your eyes open and a camera handy – you never know when the moment will strike. And out here – it tends to strike often. Enjoy!