a pilgrimage

"Nor does God whisper through the trees. His voice is not to be mistaken. When men hear it they fall to their knees and their souls are riven and they cry out to Him and there is no fear but only wildness of heart that springs from such longing."

Cormac McCarthy

all these photographs were shot in south dakota on my last trip there for national geographic/aaron huey (see the project i worked on here). this day in particular, was 105* at sunset, the wind blowing an intense heat and dust, the colors and intensity of saturation on this particular day were due to a wildfire that was blazing on pine ridge south of the badlands. it felt so surreal to be hiking in one of my favorite places on earth, on a day like this. it was so. quiet. so very, very quiet. and i was out there by myself, with these golden fields getting more and more vivid in front of my eyes. i drove back through the park by myself at dusk only to find this amazing bright orange moon rising. i sat there in the park with my camera, in the dark staring at the sky and clouds for a while. i felt so small and so significant all at the same time. it was a pilgrimage of all sorts to go back home to south dakota by myself with some time to spend in nature alone. solitude to converse with God and myself, to reflect on my life and be quiet within my heart and mind. words cannot describe the Presence of spirit and God that i feel at times like this, connecting all around, inviting me to Return to my Center and be thankful for the gifts bestowed on me. 

*none of these photographs are enhanced or photoshopped. this is just how phenomenal God is, that He creates such beauty all around us.