On a mist-laden, drizzly day at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, my wife, our English pointer Cooper, and I stepped into a landscape that felt quietly altered—softened by rain, and veiled by distant wildfire smoke drifting down from the Canadian wilderness. The air carried that faint, smoky mystery, and the lake seemed to hold its breath beneath a cool, blue-green sky.
In infrared, the scene becomes a kind of sanctuary. Dark water gathers the reflections, while a rugged rock cliff rises from the shoreline like an ancient altar. Clinging to it, a small pine tree glows with an otherworldly brightness—an unexpected beacon against the haze. Across the lake, the forest fades into smoke-softened silhouettes, turning the far shore into a dreamlike threshold between what’s seen and what’s felt.
“Smoke veil Sanctuary” is a portrait of resilience and atmosphere—proof that even difficult conditions can reveal rare beauty. A quiet, mystical Black Hills moment where rain, smoke, stone, and light come together in a single, unforgettable hush.
Printed to museum-quality standards and available in multiple sizes and premium materials (paper, canvas, metal, acrylic, and more depending on availability). If you’d like a different size, finish, or framing option, reach out and I’ll help you customize the perfect piece for your space. Contact Dan
On a mist-laden, drizzly day at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, my wife, our English pointer Cooper, and I stepped into a landscape that felt quietly altered—softened by rain, and veiled by distant wildfire smoke drifting down from the Canadian wilderness. The air carried that faint, smoky mystery, and the lake seemed to hold its breath beneath a cool, blue-green sky.
In infrared, the scene becomes a kind of sanctuary. Dark water gathers the reflections, while a rugged rock cliff rises from the shoreline like an ancient altar. Clinging to it, a small pine tree glows with an otherworldly brightness—an unexpected beacon against the haze. Across the lake, the forest fades into smoke-softened silhouettes, turning the far shore into a dreamlike threshold between what’s seen and what’s felt.
“Smoke veil Sanctuary” is a portrait of resilience and atmosphere—proof that even difficult conditions can reveal rare beauty. A quiet, mystical Black Hills moment where rain, smoke, stone, and light come together in a single, unforgettable hush.
Printed to museum-quality standards and available in multiple sizes and premium materials (paper, canvas, metal, acrylic, and more depending on availability). If you’d like a different size, finish, or framing option, reach out and I’ll help you customize the perfect piece for your space. Contact Dan
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