Darlene Mulligan

DAKOTA 1862: An Uncivil War

After being taken captive during the Dakota uprising of 1862, a Minnesota doctor’s wife forms an unexpected bond with the Dakota warrior who protects her—only to face a devastating choice when he is later accused of murder.

Inspired by the memoir Six Weeks in the Sioux Tepees by Sarah Wakefield, Dakota 1862: An Uncivil War tells the story of a frontier woman caught between two worlds during one of the most tragic conflicts in American history.

When violence erupts between settlers and the Dakota people, Sarah Wakefield and her children are taken captive. Protected by the Dakota man Chaska, she survives the war—but when he is later arrested and falsely accused of murder, Sarah must decide whether to risk her reputation, her marriage, and her place in society to tell the truth and try to save him.

BACON

This girl hung around our cabin at West Hawk eating up the mice around the property. Sometimes she would leave us a mouse to eat. Thanks, but no thanks!

URBAN VIEWS

Downtown Vancouver BC Canada

English Bay Vancouver BC Canada

El Arco de Cabo San Lucas: Nature’s Marvelous Sculpture

As you step onto the sands of Cabo San Lucas, your eyes are immediately drawn towards the iconic El Arco de Cabo San Lucas. This magnificent rock formation, shaped by time and the ceaseless currents of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, stand as a testament to the awe-inspiring might of nature.

Venturing closer to El Arco by boat, I had a chance to photograph the rock formation up close, in all its grandeur. It became apparent that it was not just a beautiful spectacle but a gateway where two distinct marine ecosystems meet and mingle – the sea of Cortez with the Pacific Ocean.

All around El Arco, life flourishes. Sea lions lounge leisurely on the rocky outcrops, basking in the sun’s warmth. The area also serves as an essential feeding and breeding ground for numerous bird species, including pelicans and frigatebirds who like perch on the rocks.

For five dollars the boat will drop you off on the Playa del Amor, or Lover’s Beach.

The Pacific Ocean side often referred as Divorce Beach due to the rougher water and rogue waves that hit the shore. This hidden oasis, cradled by towering rocks is a photographers dream.

Fox Incognito

This red fox was hiding close to a chipmunk burrow waiting for his chance. Camouflaged in the terrain, it wasn’t long before the chipmunk with it’s terrible vision unknowingly darted within striking distance of the fox. Using the great force of his hind legs the fox leaped, landing on top of his targeted prey.

Thank goodness I did not witness that! I do know this. We had chipmunks around here before this guy showed up. Now we have this guy, no chipmunks (mice either, which is a good thing).

How beautiful is this wild creature? He’ll live for 2 to 3 years. He eats about 2 pounds a day. A chipmunk weighs a third of a pound. That means he’ll eat about the equivalent of six chipmunks a day. In addition to chipmunks and mice they also eat birds, worms, berries, eggs and any scavenged food they can find.

Awe and Wonder

Canoe your way through the Rockies. Emerald Lake YoHo National Park. Rocky Mountains. British Columbia Canada.

Did you know? As the snow melts from the surrounding mountains, the watershed cascades over cliffs collecting powered limestone along the way, colouring the waters of the lake into a vivid turquoise colour.

Behind the lens. Photographing Emerald Lake.

Cassie in the Snow

Mixed breed dog.

For sale in print & on-line media.

Kayaking the Canadian Shield

Experience the Canadian Shield on one of the hundreds of freshwater lakes that drain into the great Hudson Bay. Red Cliffs in the Canadian Boreal Forest Ontario Canada.

Serenity

The state of calm slowly kayaking along the craggy shores of a freshwater lake in the Canadian Boreal Forest. Whiteshell Provincial Park in Manitoba Canada.

Fallen Star

Water Lilies in a calm bay of Westhawk Lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park Manitoba Canada. The Canadian Boreal Forest.

Metamorphose

Dancing Lights in the Northern Skies

On a clear moonless night, far from the city lights, you just might be lucky to spot the auroras. Northern Lights in the Canadian Boreal Forest Manitoba Canada

Photographing the Night Sky

Foxy Lady

Red Fox—captured in the Canadian Boreal Forest Manitoba Canada.

Sly as a Fox

Rare Silver Fox—captured in the Canadian Boreal Forest Manitoba Canada.

T & T Sunset

On the bay watching the sun vanish over the western horizon—The Canadian Boreal Forest. Whiteshell Provincial Park Manitoba Canada.

New Dawn

Hope rises with the sun at dawn displaying rays of possibilities for a new day. Sandy’s Bench in the Canadian Boreal Forest Manitoba Canada.

Nic

White-tailed deer—captured in the Canadian Boreal Forest Manitoba Canada.

Doe a Deer

White Tailed Deer—Canadian Boreal Forest Manitoba Canada.

Did you know? Deer are not able to focus on one location with both eyes which means the deer has very poor depth perception. Next time you’re on the highway think of all those deer crossing at the absolute wrong time and stop wondering what would possess them to cross at that precise moment.

Bird of Prey

Keen sight and a powerful soaring flight, “Brian’s Eagle” is on the ready—The Canadian Boreal Forest. Whiteshell Provincial Park Manitoba Canada.

“Skipper”

The hardy little Nuthatch survives the Canadian winters—The Canadian Boreal Forest. Manitoba Canada.

The Great Northern Diver

Loon in my Bay—The Canadian Boreal Forest. Whiteshell Provincial Park Manitoba Canada.

Did you know? The same pair of loons occupy the same bay in the same location year after year. They lay one or two eggs in nest in the marsh. Both parents care for the babies until fall when their offspring joins the teenagers before migrating to the south.

Wildflowers of the Whiteshell

Wild Daisies—captured in the Canadian Boreal Forest Manitoba Canada.

Painted photograph on canvas.

After the Storm

Take in the living sky as the sun sets over on of the lakes of the Canadian boreal forest. Westhawk Lake Whiteshell Provincial Park Manitoba Canada.

Did you know? A meteorite about the size of a school bus hit the ground on the border of Manitoba and Ontario Canada some 3 million years ago forming Westhawk Lake remains one of the freshest water lakes in central Canada.

It isn’t easy being green.

Tree Frog—captured in the Canadian Boreal Forest Manitoba Canada.

For a long time I had a tendency to always shoot photos from “my” eye level. Classic mistake. This little guy showed me the value of looking beyond your own horizon. At my feet, while I was focused on shooting yet another sunset, this little guy was posing patiently on the end of a branch.

I only saw him because I dropped my lens cap beside him. He is only about 2 inches long. I had to get up close. He still didn’t move. His expression says it all. Will you take the picture already.