If you wait for the clouds

This first image was the scene earlier this month in the Badlands, SD. The layers of the formations were interesting but there was just no separation and the tones just merged into each other. However, as the clouds blocked the sun and shadows came across these layers the separation was very pronounced.

I waited for quite a while hoping to get distinct and complete layers with alternating light and shadow. Well, patience does pay off, and here was the result.