Ponderosa State Wildlife Area, October 18, 2014

 

Cyclists at the Black Hills Overlook, November 30, 2013

A pair of cyclists pause along a trail at the Black Hills Overlook in the Nebraska National Forest, November 2013. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

While out hiking the Black Hills Overlook trail, I noticed a pair of cyclists making their way on one of the spurs that jut out from the main trail. The afternoon light gave the hill a lovely outline, and defined the trees and hills in the background. The dot of red from one of the bikers makes for a nice punctuation, along with the scale provided by the people themselves. I like the shapes and details that make up this scene from front to back.

Geometry in Dallas, September 11, 2013

Towers in Dallas, Texas, September 2013. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

The afternoon sun and broken clouds create a good environment for architecture, and Dallas certainly has some fun shapes to work with. This is a study in contrasting shapes — curves and lines, with organics to provide an anchor.

Suspicious Squirrel Monkey, August 9, 2013

A squirrel monkey (S. sciureus) paces in its enclosure at the Greater Valley Zoo. According to experts from the Randall Graves Center for Primatology and Parasitology in Sioux Falls, S.D., if the monkeys ever escape, they could infect the greater Siouxland region and beyond with the deadly Hantavirus. But aren't they cute? Sioux Falls, South Dakota, August 2013. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

The red eyes are not part of the original photo, but I couldn’t help myself. All this little cutie needs is some fangs. The light levels were low, and my camera was poor at high sensitivities, so I played with motion blur. The monkeys were moving all over the place, so I had lots of chances to photograph them. I like the implied arrangement of the monkey’s arms and legs, which suggest additional forward movement.

Sunset over Fort Robinson State Park, July 23, 2013

Sunset at Smiley Canyon in Fort Robinson State Park, July 2013. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

This scene at the top of the Smiley Canyon jeep trail at Fort Robinson has plenty of detail to explore. That’s also a weakness, but in the intricacies there is beauty. Note the little cactus in the foreground and the trail snaking through the background. The triangle formed by the two near trees and the setting sun. There’s a little too much going on, but I’m still drawn to it.

Tree on a Hill in Chadron, Nebraska, July 20, 2013

Sunset in Chadron, Nebraska, July 2013. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Evening in Chadron as I hike around the hillside on the south end of town. At sunset the skies can light up in oranges, purples, and blues, and tonight had an excellent selection of clouds. This tree on the hillside provided a good detailed counterpoint to the gentler curves of the clouds.

Jeep Trail Scenes at Fort Robinson State Park, May 26, 2013

 

Yucca along a Smiley Canyon trail at Fort Robinson State Park, May 2013. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Smiley Canyon jeep trail at Fort Robinson State Park, May 2013. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Blufftop view at Fort Robinson State Park, May 2013. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Windmill at Fort Robinson State Park with Crow Butte behind, May 2013. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)