This year we have been very fortunate in receiving an abundance of rainfall. As Dan once stated, “In good years like this, a rancher is tempted to sell the whole place to the first lost tourist.” So, with the prairie in its full glory, I thought I would give nature photography a try and document what a good year looks like.
First, I should explain that I am not a nature or wildlife photographer and I do not pretend to be. This requires patience and waiting, and patience and waiting are not in my makeup. I do try though to rise early, pre-dawn, to be in position for the sunrise and all the other creatures that are awakening. But when the alarm rings at 4:30am and I stretch to look out the window, I ask myself the question: “I wonder if I could get a shot from the comfort of my bed?” Simultaneously, I force my feet to hit the floor.
The pre-dawn is a sacred time to be out alone in nature. I am a bit of a “scaredy cat” for things that slither, so I give thanks when the mornings are cool. Then turning my focus to the camera and light, my fear resolves. There is a freedom when you are caught in the spell of nature’s beauty and for that period of time all seems right with the world.
By late afternoon I head out again, looking and seeking for evenings mysteries. I try to stalk animals, but they are too quick and their senses are too keen to have me go unnoticed. I talk to them and ask them to be still while I try to adjust my settings. The non-captured shots are perhaps the best, and I play them back in my memory fondly. Until I figure out how to capture the “wild things” I rely on the more domesticated for photo ops.
In addition to the prairie’s beauty, this year, most home gardens are glorious too. Gardening on the prairie is usually a crap shoot, between the rain (or lack thereof), or wind or the destructive grasshoppers. But this year, no one is complaining. For now all is well on the prairie and in our gardens. The lettuce and snap peas have been enjoyed, the herbs are plentiful and the harvesting of tomatoes has just begun. This month’s recipe is for a Caprese Salad with a Buffalo Bacon twist! A great pairing that I hope you enjoy too.
Thank you for letting me share my photos of the Wild Idea Buffalo, Cheyenne River, and Conata Basin ranches with you. This is where our buffalo roam, and we remain committed in helping to keep our prairies intact and wild. Happy August everyone! Jill
Buffalo Bacon Caprese Salad with Sweet Basil Vinaigrette (per salad)
Fresh garden tomatoes and fresh mozzarella are a dynamo combination, but I miss the lettuce. And since I’ve added lettuce, why not Buffalo Bacon! *A big thanks to my friend Pam for her assistance with the food photography.
Sweet Basil Vinaigrette Ingredients:
2 – cups basil leaves, packed
1 – cup rice vinegar
1/3 – cup sugar
1 – teaspoon salt
2 – teaspoons black pepper
¾ – cup olive oil
Salad Ingredients:
2 – Buffalo Bacon strips
1 – tablespoon oil
1 – cup lettuce, washed dried and torn
8 – cherry tomatoes, halved (or tomato slices)
2 – ounces fresh mozzarella, torn or sliced
8 – small fresh basil leaves, whole and julienned
Sweet Basil Vinaigrette
2 – teaspoons balsamic glaze *try Gia Russo brand
Preparation:
1) Place all of the vinaigrette ingredients in blender, except olive oil and blend until incorporated. With the blender running slowly add the olive oil. Transfer to a jar or sealed container.
2) In a frying pan over medium high heat, heat oil. Add Buffalo Bacon and cook for two minutes each side, or to your desired crispiness. Remove from pan and place on a paper towel.
3) Toss lettuce with a tablespoon of vinaigrette and arrange on a plate.
4) Top with tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil leaves.
5) Add bacon to the plate, and pour an additional tablespoon or desired amount of the dressing over the whole salad.
6) Drizzle with the balsamic glaze.
Comments 13
Gorgeous photos, Jill; thanks for sharing.
Jill: Great photos! Your a natural wildlife and nature photographer (I have been doing this for years till recently when on trips to China and Eastern Europe I tried “seeing” without using the camera to do so and had a more intimate experience. So now I usually get up just before dawn around 3am and hike local trails going out from my place for several hours when the wildlife are beginning to move around without people and cars out scaring them. So I reccomend you get up a little earlier and get out there without your camera and ask Dan to have breakfest ready for you around 5:30 or 6:00 am. Cheers! Jim Herrick
The photos of the prairie are magnificent! It makes me lonesome for the ND prairie where I grew up. I especially like the horse picture.
Really beautiful photos, Jill. Especially love the two horses looking over the rest of the herd, the duck landing on the water, the lightening, and the rays shining down thru the clouds. Aw, shucks. Like them all. Were so lucky to live in this beautiful country.
Really beautiful photos, Jill. Especially love the two horses looking over the rest of the herd, the duck landing on the water, the lightening, and the rays shining down thru the clouds. Aw, shucks. Like them all. We’re so lucky to live in this beautiful country.
Great job capturing the feeling of the summer prarie!
GOD GOOD GREAT
These are beautiful photographs, Jill. I love your ranch and enjoyed our visit (back in June) SO much. Thanks for the hospitality and great memories!
Thanks everyone. We received another 1.5 inches of rain. A green prairie in August is rare! I guess I’ll have to get out there again! 🙂
Beautiful!!!
I love all the pictures, they are great. Looking at them is like being there. Just beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing them.
Gorgeous photos Jill! I’m not sure that standing behind the chef/photographer/stylist as she photographs a caprese salad and saying, “Can I eat it now?” constitutes help, but I loved having you here! The salad was DELICIOUS too, it will be my go-to dressing because Jim loved it 🙂
Makes me so homesick as was raised near the Badlands. Beautiful this year. Interesting markings on your horse!