Dean M. Chriss
Photography
Yellow Mound Valley, Badlands
(Click image to enlarge)
This photograph shows a grassy valley containing colorful yellow mounds, all
surrounded by a fortress-like wall of classic eroded badlands formations. Due to
variations in the cloud density the light varied greatly while we were at this
spot. I took numerous exposures and later chose this one for the subdued look
with just the right amount of "pop".
Badlands National park protects 242,756 acres (98240 Ha) of sharply eroded
buttes and pinnacles, along with the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in
the United States. Part of this area is a 64,144 acre (25958 Ha) designated
wilderness area. This wilderness is one site where black-footed ferrets, one of
the most endangered mammals in the world, was reintroduced. The U.S. National
Park Service manages the park, with the South Unit being co-managed with the
Oglala Lakota tribe.