My Ranching Life

These photographs were taken from horseback (on horses Beau, Stringy, Henry, Grey, Rocky, Foxy & Cody) while cowboying on the Quarter Circle XL Ranch and neighboring ranches south of Belvidere, South Dakota. I have been working on the ranch since 2003 when I relocated from New York City to the Badlands of South Dakota and started cowboying as a complete novice. I have worked alongside and learned everything from old time cowboy Lyle O'Bryan (now 79). Lyle's Quarter Circle XL Ranch and surrounding ranchers we 'neighbor' with do all their cattle work on horseback and dress in traditional cowboy gear. Many ride custom saddles made by local artist Baxter Badure. It is like stepping back in time doing cattle work the same way it was done in earlier centuries. The majority of the photographs were taken quickly while I was cowboying - pulling my camera out of my saddle bags. Helping the neighboring ranchers is the best part of my job as I get to ride with many other cowboys on several other ranches while covering miles and miles on horseback. I photograph this series with Tri X 120 film and a Noblex 120 Swing Lens Camera. The final Prints are 36" wide and larger. Please see my website and blog for the whole story.