Purple Sky Sunrise in the Mountains in Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota.

Purple Sky Sunrise in the Mountains in Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota., originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

After making a family photograph in front of Mount Rushmore, we started driving towards Sylvan lake. Along the way, I jumped out and ran off the road for a bit to photograph this small mountain projection that was being highlighted by the early morning light. Strong orange light was present, and the color balance on my camera captured the scene in a very unique way.. - 1/50 sec at f/13 with on a NIKON D80

The Open Road of South Dakota during our road trip

The Open Road of South Dakota during our road trip, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

This is photographed in central South Dakota on the plains as we are starting to get into the hilly country before the mountains. We could see the storm ahead that we were driving into. It was still probably 100 miles away but we could see it. I pulled off on to the side of interstate and photographed this.. - 1/200 sec at f/10 with 10-20 mm f/4-5.6 on a Nikon D80

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone in Wyoming - Waterfall and River with Rainbow.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone in Wyoming - Waterfall and River with Rainbow., originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone in Wyoming - Waterfall and River with Rainbow.

We stopped at the North rim and hiked all the way down. The waterfall was deafening. It was scary seeing how much water and how fast it was pummeling over the precipice to cascade over. There was a constant rainbow with the sun in the position it was in. Fantastic sight to see.. - 1/320 sec at f/13 with Sigma 10-20mm on a NIKON D80

The Open Road of South Dakota during our road trip

The Open Road of South Dakota during our road trip, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

This is photographed in central South Dakota on the plains as we are starting to get into the hilly country before the mountains. We could see the storm ahead that we were driving into. It was still probably 100 miles away but we could see it. I pulled off on to the side of interstate and photographed this.. - 1/200 sec at f/10 with 10-20 mm f/4-5.6 on a Nikon D80

Carl and Becky at Grand Teton National Forest in Wyoming

Carl and Becky at Grand Teton National Forest in Wyoming, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

As we drove south out of Yellowstone, we started to pass Jackon Lake, Wy. In the distance you see the Teton mountains. We paused here for a family photo and a photo of just us two.

SB-900 above camera and camera on tripod triggered with remote release.. - 1/125 sec at f/9.0 with 18-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 on a Nikon D80

Family Photo on the North drive around Yellowstone

Family Photo on the North drive around Yellowstone, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Family Photo on the North drive around Yellowstone. I setup my tripod, with the flash on top and used a remote release to fire it. We driving the North road heading east. The mountains in the distance made for a great back drop. There were bison in the valley.. - 1/200 sec at f/10 with 10-20 mm f/4-5.6 on a Nikon D80

Family photo in Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota

Family photo in Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Family photo in Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota.

We stopped driving on one of the roads through the forest and hiked up to this look out point. It was towards sunset and I shot this family photo with all of us, then had everybody step out and then shot 6 images to compose into an hdr. I then overlayed just us ontop of the hdr image.. - 1/25 sec at f/11 with on a NIKON D80

Family photo at Mt. Rushmore National Monument in Keystone, SD

Family photo at Mt. Rushmore National Monument in Keystone, SD, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Family photo at Mt. Rushmore National Monument in Keystone, SD

Family photo at the top of Harney Peak, Black Hills National Forest, SD.

Family photo at the top of Harney Peak, Black Hills National Forest, SD., originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Family photo at the top of Harney Peak, Black Hills National Forest, SD.

We hiked from Sylvan lake to the top and then took an alternate route down for a total of 7 hours of hiking. It was dizzyingly high! Fantastic views on the way up.

Harney Peak is the highest mountain in South Dakota, located within Black Hills National Forest. Its elevation is 7,244 feet (2,208 m). The peak is the highest point in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Pyranees mountains in Europe.

Rushing Waterfall Stream on the west side of Grand Teton National Park

Rushing Waterfall Stream on the west side of Grand Teton National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

On Sabbath, we drove from Snake River Lodge west, up and over the pass and descended into Idaho. We drove north for awhile, and found a road leading back east against the Teton mountains. This crossed the border back into Wyoming. We explored for a bit and I photographed this mild waterfall/rushing stream.

Our House and Garden

Our House and Garden, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

A view of our garden in June with the tomatoes front and center.

Green Tomatoes

Green Tomatoes, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Several of my tomato plants are above the top of their cages by mid June! I have large tomatoes already set on. I'm fully a complete month ahead this year.

Green Tomatoes

Green Tomatoes, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Several of my tomato plants are above the top of their cages by mid June! I have large tomatoes already set on. I'm fully a complete month ahead this year.

Green Tomatoes

Green Tomatoes, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Several of my tomato plants are above the top of their cages by mid June! I have large tomatoes already set on. I'm fully a complete month ahead this year.

The Sign Reads "State Game Refuge"

The Sign Reads "State Game Refuge", originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Right now there doesn't appear to be much refuge to be had however.

Walking Alone in the Winter Snow

Walking Alone in the Winter Snow, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Walking Alone in the Winter Snow

Walking Alone in the Winter Snow, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

As I post this, we haven't had sunshine in the middle of June for multiple days. Almost makes you miss these days despite the snow on the ground huh?

Big Bass on a Private Missouri Lake

Big Bass on a Private Missouri Lake, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

The bass just keep getting bigger and bigger on this lake. This year I caught 6 bass around 8lbs each from the sunken tree. This one came from the bank on a wacky worm rig.

A Rock in my Path - Frontenac State Park in Minnesota

A Rock in my Path - Frontenac State Park in Minnesota, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

A Rock in my Path - Frontenac State Park in Minnesota

We went hiking on the bluffs and then down through the forest. The wet earthy smell of the forest was great and the temperature was perfect. The ferns, moss, rocks and granite made for a very intriguing setting.

A Winding Curvy Road in Devil's Lake State Park - Wisconsin

A Winding Curvy Road in Devil's Lake State Park - Wisconsin, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

A Winding Curvy Road in Devil's Lake State Park - Wisconsin.

As we drove through the park, I hopped out, setup my tripod in the middle of the road and photographed this scene. I had to yank my tripod out of the way of an oncoming car at one point! It has just finished raining and then misting earlier and the air was fresh with the moist humid forest air and the smells of the forest.

It is great to be alive - view at 'Great River Bluffs State Park in Minnesota'

It is great to be alive - view at 'Great River Bluffs State Park in Minnesota', originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

It is great to be alive - view at 'Great River Bluffs State Park in Minnesota'

The air had a bit of crispness to it but the sun was warm. A deep breath in through your nose revealed the scents of the forests. I really enjoyed these scenic views.

Devil's Lake in Devil's Lake State Park - Wisconsin

Devil's Lake in Devil's Lake State Park - Wisconsin, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Devil's Lake in Devil's Lake State Park - Wisconsin

Here is another view from our momentary stop at the lake. There were hundreds of swallows swooping down over the lake surface and eating bugs! Lots of birds high in the sky as well.

Natalie and Danielle

Natalie and Danielle, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

While we hiked throught the forest, Natalie and Danielle shared an earbud a piece while listening to their mp3 player. Lots of giggles and laughs were heard from them as we walked.

Family Photo at Great River Bluffs State Park in Minnesota

Family Photo at Great River Bluffs State Park in Minnesota, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Family Photo at Great River Bluffs State Park in Minnesota

While hiking on the trails, we came to this lovely view.

Clear View of the Mississippi River Basin from "Great River Bluffs State Park" in Minnesota

Clear View of the Mississippi River Basin from "Great River Bluffs State Park" in Minnesota, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Clear View of the Mississippi River Basin from "Great River Bluffs State Park" in Minnesota

We finally bought a state park pass. We would never have seen this park, but I missed my turn and the GPS routed us by the back road and I saw this small state park in southern Minnesota. We bought a state park pass and hiked through the trails to vistas like this. It was a wonderful afternoon for hiking and for photos. The sun was hot, but under the canopy it was cool and crisp.

Approximately 20 miles southeast of Winona at the junction of U.S. Highway 61 and Interstate 90. Park entrance is accessed off of County Road 3. Coming from the west or southeast via I90, take exit 266 and follow park signs. Coming from Winona, south on Hwy 61 (just past mile marker 15), take a right on County Road 3 for 4 miles to the park entrance.

At Devils Lake in Devil's Lake State Park , Wisconsin

At Devils Lake in Devil's Lake State Park , Wisconsin, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

At Devils Lake in Devil's Lake State Park , Wisconsin. During our visit to the Wisconsin Dells, we went driving Sabbath afternoon a bit. We stopped here on the shore while I photographed the scene. The next photo I took was a family photo.

Wilderness Canyon Zip Line at the Glacier Canyon Lodge at Wisconsin Dells, Wi

Wilderness Canyon Zip Line at the Glacier Canyon Lodge at Wisconsin Dells, Wi, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Wilderness Canyon Zip Line at the Glacier Canyon Lodge at Wisconsin Dells, Wi

I attended a conference here and while we were here we rode the zip line. Exhilirating! The first step off the first run sure is a leap of faith! Unfortunately, we road it while it was 35 degrees and rainy. BRRR! The last day of our trip, we took this photo and it had already warmed up some.

Strobist: Pop up flash in commander mode triggering. SB-900, SB-800, SB-600 at full power 1/1 into a 45" Impact white shoot through umbrella at camera left and above.

Fresh Strawberry Growth

Fresh Strawberry Growth, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

The flowers on the strawberry plants show that it will soon be time to eat lucious red strawberries!

Fresh Evergreen Growth

Fresh Evergreen Growth, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

While walking around outside at Julie's place, I amused myself finding various things to photograph.

Natalie

Natalie, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Natalie with her Sabbath Dress on. We were about ready to go to church at Sunnydale in the Sturgeon, Mo area. We were staying with Kevin and Julie.