MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

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March/April 2013 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT I hope everyone is ready for a great year of photography with all the exciting field trip activities in the process of being planned by Ted Ayers and Eva

1 March/April 2013 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT I hope everyone is ready for a great year of photography with all the exciting field trip activities in the process of being planned by Ted Ayers and Eva Bareis. I encourage you all to take the opportunity to participate in these events. You will be photographing along side other club members and learning from each other. I have been on several club field trips, and all were fun and rewarding. I want to thank Ted Ayers for his efforts in organizing the Prairie Berry Display that will occur this spring. Thanks Ted for taking on this project. I would also like to thank the club members who submitted images for the display. I know this takes time and resources. But I do believe these events portray the club in a positive way to the public and may attract new members. I want to thank Chris Yushta for stepping up and serving as the committee chair to coordinate future public displays for the club. Our plan is to do a couple of these a year, and Chris has had experience in the past with gallery displays. We continue to work on the clubʼs website under Kaleb Zookʼs leadership and expertise. I want to commend Kalebʼs efforts for a professional looking website that will serve the club well. Kaleb is in the process of developing the image competition submission part of the website. Hopefully, it will be functional by our April competition month. If not, we will continue to use the address bhphotoclubcomp@hotmail.com until that portion of the website is operational. Kaleb is also working to have member galleries and website links on the clubʼs website to allow those that wish to have these posted on our site. Our club continues to grow with new members every month. I truly believe that is because our club members are excited about what is happening and share openly with others who are not members. We have the potential to grow even more. Digital photography has truly caused an explosion in our society with more and more people taking more and more photos. This great club of ours has something to offer for everyone no matter his or her skill level. I talk to people every week about the Black Hills Photography Club. We all need to be great ambassadors. As the club grows, we need folks who are willing to serve in key committee chairs. One that is vacant now is our workshop committee chair. As a committee chair, you only have to coordinate workshops, but donʼt have to present them. I hope someone feels compelled and steps up to fill that position. This is your club, and the more folks who get involved, the more fun we will have. Most importantly, letʼs have fun this year and just get out and capture that image that causes you and others to say WOW! Your President, Harlan Humphrey MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORS We welcome articles, tips, photos, items for sale and other newsworthy information from members with a firm mid-april deadline. This is your newsletter, and all members are encouraged to contribute. Thank you, Chasity & Ted

A GRAND DAY WITH A FRIEND by Mary Hercher & Anne LeChette Originally, we planned

wanted to get up early, so instead we left for Spearfish Falls by way of Deadwood

We found several interesting opportunities in Deadwood, such as Miss Kittyʼs

Next stop was Lead to capture some of the old houses.

2 A GRAND DAY WITH A FRIEND by Mary Hercher & Anne LeChette Originally, we planned to photograph Bear Butte in the early morning light; however, neither of us wanted to get up early, so instead we left for Spearfish Falls by way of Deadwood and Lead, photographing architectural features of historic buildings. We found several interesting opportunities in Deadwood, such as Miss Kittyʼs second story windows and the Art Deco design of Mustang Sallyʼs. Next stop was Lead to capture some of the old houses. As we walked around Lead, we came across an old, friendly dog lying on the sidewalk, soaking up the sun. He granted Mary with a very nice portrait.

By that time, we were cold and decided to have lunch in Lead at the Lotus-Up Espresso Cafe, a locally owned café. After lunch, it was off to Spearfish Falls.

After several photos, we started out again for our main destination, only to be side tracked by the creek that runs through the canyon.

3 By that time, we were cold and decided to have lunch in Lead at the Lotus-Up Espresso Cafe, a locally owned café. After lunch, it was off to Spearfish Falls. As we neared Cheyenne Crossing, we found a beautiful log home covered in pristine snow and icicles. After several photos, we started out again for our main destination, only to be side tracked by the creek that runs through the canyon. We stopped to take photos of Queen Anneʼs Lace and grass heads covered in frost. We finally reached Savoy and the Latchstring Restaurant, where we warmed up on hot chocolate. We left the Latchstring and hiked a short distance through fresh snow, then over the metal bridge and down a very slippery, snowy trail, finally reaching the bottom of the canyon. As we rounded the corner and saw the falls, we both let out shouts of joy! A winter wonderland well worth the journey.... Chad Coppess 2013 A.H. Pankow Award by Governor Dennis Daugaard The award was presented for Coppessʼ efforts in photographing the state over the last 20 years, co-founding the Black Hills Photo Shootout with Scott Howard, and several different blogs and social media efforts promoting South Dakota as a tourism destination. promoting South Dakota tourism in the media

I have been spending a lot of time in the Badlands the last couple of months, and it seems the critters have really been cooperative this year.

It is always a challenge to be in the right place at the right time, but persistence is your friend when it comes to photographing wildlife.

I must admit that I have seen some really spectacular critter happenings that I was not able to photograph. One of those events just happened yesterday.

The battle started on the ground and was quickly joined by two coyotes running at full tilt trying to reach the eagles. The coyotes were hoping to make the eagle drop his prey.

We missed capturing the action by seconds, but the image of the battle will forever be in my mind. Persistence will pay off one day. I only hope the next time I can capture it on camera.

I know porcupines may not be a priority on your bucket list, but I do like this image. So here are some images when I was in the right place at the right time.

4 I have been spending a lot of time in the Badlands the last couple of months, and it seems the critters have really been cooperative this year. I have been fortunate enough to get some great images of critters that were on my bucket list. It is always a challenge to be in the right place at the right time, but persistence is your friend when it comes to photographing wildlife. I thought I would take a moment and share some of my photos with the club to encourage you to get out and enjoy the wonders of nature. I must admit that I have seen some really spectacular critter happenings that I was not able to photograph. One of those events just happened yesterday. Ted Ayers and I were headed into the Badlands from the Sage Creek Road entrance. Just as we entered the park, we saw two mature bald eagles fighting over a prairie dog that one had caught. The battle started on the ground and was quickly joined by two coyotes running at full tilt trying to reach the eagles. The coyotes were hoping to make the eagle drop his prey. The bald eagle with the prairie dog escaped both the coyotes and the other eagle. However, the eagle battle continued in the air. We missed capturing the action by seconds, but the image of the battle will forever be in my mind. Persistence will pay off one day. I only hope the next time I can capture it on camera. BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK: A CRITTER MECCA by Harlan Humphrey This next little creature was caught hanging out in a tree. He or she is a half grown porcupine. I just love the expression on his face. I know porcupines may not be a priority on your bucket list, but I do like this image. So here are some images when I was in the right place at the right time. These two pictures of a golden eagle were taken when Mary Hercher and I made a trip to the Badlands. This golden eagle was very approachable, and I was able to capture him launching off a power pole. I have been trying for five years to get a great golden eagle shot. An odd couple I shot was a coyote and badger hanging out together. I had never seen this before. I assume the badger digs out the prairie dogs, and the coyote benefits by catching those that escape out another entrance to their burrows. They were a distance away, but it is still a great nature shot. I have since seen coyotes and badgers hanging out in prairie dog towns. Notice this nasty badgerʼs long claws used for digging.

Dennis Laughlin and I went to the Badlands and found this friendly, approachable Ferruginous Hawk.

I have since seen this hawk several times in the Badlands, and you are able to get very close for great images.

They were still in rut in December, so the bucks were still running with the does. Later, the bucks form bachelor groups.

The last two photos include a young mule deer doing the bounce as he or she runs in some deep snow.

Thatʼs the neat thing about still photography. You freeze moments in time. Bighorns are plentiful in the Badlands.

One group is located near the Pinnacles Overlook.

I hope you enjoy the images of these magnificent animals.

I caught a group testing their speed that day (above).

5 Dennis Laughlin and I went to the Badlands and found this friendly, approachable Ferruginous Hawk. I was able to get this take-off flight shot of him or her. I have since seen this hawk several times in the Badlands, and you are able to get very close for great images. Mule deer are plentiful in the Badlands. This is a great time of year to photograph them. They were still in rut in December, so the bucks were still running with the does. Later, the bucks form bachelor groups. The first image is a three-point buck running with some does. The second is a bachelor group of bucks. The last two photos include a young mule deer doing the bounce as he or she runs in some deep snow. Notice in the last photo how hard it hits the ground. The impact causes the ears to flex. I never realized this happens. Thatʼs the neat thing about still photography. You freeze moments in time. Bighorns are plentiful in the Badlands. This year has provided some great images. Three different bands of sheep live in the Badlands. One group is located near the Pinnacles Overlook. Another group is located past the Conata Basin Overlook, and the third group is near the visitor center. I hope you enjoy the images of these magnificent animals. Finally, no set of prairie wildlife images would be complete without the pronghorn. I caught a group testing their speed that day (above). I remember seeing this many times as a kid growing up on the prairie. I hope you all get a chance to take some great images of the diverse wildlife in the Badlands. I took all these shots with a 400mm lens on a full frame camera. Those of you with a mm lens on a crop sensor camera will be able to take the same great images. Remember, itʼs about the experience of just being there. You may not get all the shots you want, but you will come home with great memories of those images or scenes you wish you could have captured, which makes you want to go again. Get out there and have fun!...

SCOUTING FOR FUTURE FIELD TRIP LOCATIONS by Ted Ayers On January 21, I made a scouting trip north to the Slim Buttes/Cave Hills area in Northwestern, SD.

He readily accepted, and I picked him up at his home at 0515 and we headed to Sturgis then north on Highway 79. It was very cold with snow falling as we headed up the road.

The Buttes were very nice, and the falling snow enhanced their beauty (but played havoc with autofocus). As I remember, the outside temps hovered around 0 degrees.

6 SCOUTING FOR FUTURE FIELD TRIP LOCATIONS by Ted Ayers On January 21, I made a scouting trip north to the Slim Buttes/Cave Hills area in Northwestern, SD. I had never been in that part of the State before, and Harlan and I had talked about going there sometime; just hadnʼt got around to it. I asked Harlan if he wanted to join me. He readily accepted, and I picked him up at his home at 0515 and we headed to Sturgis then north on Highway 79. It was very cold with snow falling as we headed up the road. We drove through light to heavy snow all the way to the Slim Buttes area, arriving there just after what would have been sunrise. The Buttes were very nice, and the falling snow enhanced their beauty (but played havoc with autofocus). As I remember, the outside temps hovered around 0 degrees. Driving through the area, we saw large numbers of Sharp-tail Grouse and lots of really great landscape possibilities. We did not see many animals (they were probably all curled up trying to stay warm) in the area, but we did see some Eagles and found an old military gravesite as we drove along the road. We also discovered a secluded campground with easy access to some really great Butte formations at the north end of the Slim Buttes. Exiting Slim Buttes, we proceeded to Buffalo, SD, then north to the Cave Hills area, where we found lots of great landscapes, an old church and a cemetery located in a very nice scenic area. We drove all the way across the Cave Hills area then north and back into the Northern Cave Hills area where we again found a campground with really nice sites. The wildlife was a bit sparse, although we continued to see large numbers of Sharp tails and Ring Necked Pheasants. We also spotted a small group of Mule Deer and Pronghorns. They mooned us then smartly left the scene!

The road through Cave Hills passed numerous wetland and pond areas that should be teaming with birds and animals IF they get enough moisture to fill the ponds.

We had planned to drive back through Belle Fourche, but the snow was falling very heavily as we moved further south, so we eventually decided to turn east and pick up Highway 79 back through Bear

7 The road through Cave Hills passed numerous wetland and pond areas that should be teaming with birds and animals IF they get enough moisture to fill the ponds. Although we did not get a lot of photo ops because of the weather, we did see enough of the two areas to consider them very good options for future field trips. We had planned to drive back through Belle Fourche, but the snow was falling very heavily as we moved further south, so we eventually decided to turn east and pick up Highway 79 back through Bear Butte. We spotted several hawks and eagles along the highway, but the snow was falling quite heavily and the light was failing, so we gave up on trying to do any photography and headed home. In spite of the weather, it was another great day outside, just driving and enjoying the landscapes and wildlife. Good enough for us to say, We need to do a field trip here because the area has something for everyone. The trip could be one long day, but it would be best to make it a weekend and camp in the area. Should be great in both May and June and perhaps September and October. A high clearance vehicle is recommended!...

BIRTHDAYS MARCH: 13! Mary Ann Pembroke 15! Colton Erk! 18! Bill Rich 19! Kenneth Barker 21! Laura Bareis! 24! Steve Bareis! 29! Kendra Koski! APRIL: 3! Jerilyn Rich 6! Don Kellog 6! Shawn Pilster 11!

8 BIRTHDAYS MARCH: 13! Mary Ann Pembroke 15! Colton Erk! 18! Bill Rich 19! Kenneth Barker 21! Laura Bareis! 24! Steve Bareis! 29! Kendra Koski! APRIL: 3! Jerilyn Rich 6! Don Kellog 6! Shawn Pilster 11! Gail Penning! 19! Mary Hercher 26! Barb Iwan! 27! Tyler Smoragiewicz MEMBERS MARKET FOR SALE from Ted Ayers: Manfrotto 3001 Tripod!! *very good condition! Manfrotto 3262 Medium Ball Head!! *very good condition Tamrac Pro System Camera Bag!! *very good Condition *check the Pro System 608 bag specs on the Tamrac Site for more info Tamrac backpack harness for above bag! *new condition!! Chasity Marcus

Monuments, Monoliths and the Wild West

Monuments, Monoliths and the Wild West Day 1: Little Bighorn National Battlefield, Deadwood, and Wild Bill Hickok Premium Lodging: The Lodge at Deadwood: Deadwood, SD Our morning starts with a short drive