The natural color and texture of this rock outcropping in Custer State Park (South Dakota) are magnificent.  On a visit to the Park (October 7, 2011), the sun was peeking through the clouds sporadically.  I was passing by this outcropping at one such time, and the sunlight was intensifying the natural splendor. 

My goal for this piece was to capture the form, color, and, most importantly, the visual impact of these rock outcroppings in sunlight.  I placed the small green pines in the composition to complement the red of the rock formation and to draw attention to the outcropping.