J E W E L   C A V E   N A T I O N A L   M O N U M E N T

Southwestern South Dakota

As soon as we enter the cave the guide points out this common formation throughout the caverns, calcium calcite crystals.

Without a flash, the lanterns fail to provide adequate lighting for my picture taking. Since this is a lantern tour, I refrain from using my flash often because it'll wreck the experience for the other folks. I was asked to be the last person in the queue, which works to my advantage since I turn around periodically and use my flash to capture what I can. Many of the pictures I shoot don't come out so I'm forced to throw most of them out. Too bad, so sad.

Here's some old graffiti dating back to 1923.

The cave is rather uncolorful and a little creepy. However, it's fun creeping around in the dark in lantern light. These shots are taken with a flash, my "turn-around" shots, so to speak.

The guide tells us there are bats in the cave. I don't recall seeing any during the tour, but as I review my photos back at the van I hit paydirt. I caught this little rascal as he was fluttering around.