An Early Spring

Sunset at Clear Lake north of Humboldt, SD in Mid-March, 2012.

March has been one of the warmest on record and the warmest I ever remember in South Dakota. Because of this, spring has come early to our fair state. That means the "itch" to get out and photograph all the changes has taken hold of me. Today (April 1st), it was windy and 91 degrees (according to my vehicles thermometer) for most of the afternoon. It truly felt like a mid-summer day. I'm not complaining, but I truly hope this doesn't mean we are in for a long, hot summer. Regardless, thanks for stopping by and feel free to click on image for a larger file to view.

Below are a few shots of Mud Lake in Turner County from early March. It was hard to believe the ice was off the water so early.

The pasqueflower arrived early as well. I found my first on March 14th. The two photos below are from March 20th in Hanson County.

The remaining shots are all from today (April 1st). I spent some time in Newton Hills State Park as well as Union Grove State Park and to my surprise found many flowers in bloom. Below are two shots of what I think are bloodroot flowers.

The next two shots are called "Dutchman's Breeches" according to the internet. I have never noticed them before but found them in both parks along the edges of the park roads as well as the side hills of the forest.

I spotted a tree with pink/purple buds at Union Grove. I believe it is some strain of redbud tree, but am not completely sure.

I even spotted a lilac bush in bloom just north and west of Union Grove Park. Hard to believe they are out this early!

This evening's sunset was another beauty. I shot this somewhere north and west of Wall Lake. The bad news is that two ticks hitched a ride home with me. Tis the season... I guess.