Late-December view of western South Dakota's Badlands National Park, southeast of Rapid City, when the region's stark rock formations get dustings of snow such as these and also dangerous full-scale blizzards. Formed by the irregular erosion of prehistoric rocks into ranges of buttes, massive boulders, and pinnacles, the Badlands evolved into the rugged home of Lakota people, the hunting ground for French trappers, and the hideout for outlaws. Photo by Carol Highsmith, 2021.