November 2020

Cows moving along the ridge at sundown somewhere north of Kimball, SD

November of 2020 saw mild weather for the most part, but I was work bound for most of the month and it was hard to find time to pursue photography. Thankfully, the long Thanksgiving weekend plus some work with friends in West River country helped to get out and get some various shots over multiple terrains found in SoDak. Here are a dozen of my favs from the month that was. Click on an image for a larger file to view and thanks for checking in!

A ferruginous hawk in rural Hughes County

A tree sparrow at West Bend Recreation Area

Sunset captured in an orb of glass at Family Park in Sioux Falls

Sunset sky of a fishing dock at Family Park in Sioux Falls

Sunrise colors reflected in the pools of upper Falls Park in Sioux Falls

An abandoned farmhouse at sunset in rural Brule County, SD

White tail buck near New Evarts, SD

Red fox in Corson County, SD

Sunset skies over Rabbit Butte in Perkins County, SD

Last of the daylight over the prairie hills south of Midland, SD

Moonrise over St. Peter Lutheran south of Midland, SD

October 2020

A vision of fall at Palisades State Park

I started out October on a crisp and breezy morning in Campell County driving the Missouri River hills along mighty Lake Oahe. As the first light of the day began to kiss the golden leaved trees and rolling prairie, it reminded my why I do this photography thing. Scenes that take your breath away and remind you of the beauties of life are priceless.  Later on I spent quality time in Corson County at the old stone church not all that far from where I grew up. Then later in the month I got to spend a nearly perfect autumn day roaming in and around Sioux Falls finding interesting scenes accented by the season's color. All in all, it was quite a month and I'm a little sad to see it go. As per usual, here are twelve photos from the month that are favorites. Click on an image for a larger file to view and thanks for stopping by!

First light of October on the Missouri River Hills

The old stone church in Corson County

Frost on the grass in the shadows melting as the morning sun says hello

Frost on snowberries

Sunset at Palisades State Park

Autumn splendor along the Big Sioux River

Leaf detail

Upper Falls Park - Sioux Falls

The Falls of the Big Sioux - Sioux Falls

Early snowfall with a female northern cardinal at Palisades State Park

Male northern cardinal at Palisades State Park

 

September 2020

Sumac red at Hartford Beach State Park

September 2020 was dry in South Dakota. Usually that means the fall colors come a bit early and a bit more colorful. While that was true, early September offered much beauty too. One of my favorite times to be a wandering photographic is when summer slowly gave way to Autumn on the high plains. Per my habit of recent years I was able to spend a full week west of the Missouri River at the end of September to catch autumn colors in the high draws of the Black Hills and open prairies. That annual trip is good for the soul. Here are 12 favs from the month that was. Please click on an image for a larger file to view and thanks for checking in!         

Little bluestem in the evening light at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area

An early September sunset reflected in a slough near Hartford, SD

A red barn reflected on a still evening in Moody County, SD

A rustic cabin amongst shades of Autumn in the high country of Lawrence County, SD

5x6 Whitetail at Custer State Park

Autumn splendor at Hartford Beach State Park

Fall at the Cave Hills in Harding County

Slim Buttes Autumn - Harding County

Fall colors at Shadehill Reservoir - Perkins County

Mule deer at Shadehill

Shadehill road in Autumn

August 2020

Duncan church with wildflowers

As 2020 roles along, the world still seems like a mess, but the views out of doors are still as beautiful as ever. I put a lot of miles on this month. I found "new to me" wildflowers in the fens of the Prairie des Coteau of northeastern South Dakota. I encountered blazing sunflower fields and colorful butterflies adorning the plains. August has proven to be one of the more colorful months here in the upper midwest and this month's selection of photos proves that out. Click on an image for larger files to view and thanks for checking in!

Eastern-tailed blue butterfly

Monarch butterfly on a blazing star

Trumpeter Swan with wildflowers in the foreground

Macro photo of Little bluestem grass

Tall-grass prairie sunset

Lesser-fringed gentian wildflowers from a fen in northeastern SoDak

Doe and fawn in the evening light

Meade County Sunflowers with abandoned house

Buffaloberries 

Harding County Pronghorn

Aphrodite fritillary on dotted blazing star

 

July 2020

Dewdrops on a spiderweb

July of 2020 provided a unique opportunity in the night sky as comet NEOWISE appeared and was able to be seen with the naked eye. I spent a couple sleepless nights chasing the comet and the results of these trips and photo forays are seen in this month's favorite twelve images. From a lightning bug ball in rural Charles Mix county to the comet lined up over an abandoned church building, these comet hunts provided new inspiration as well as many opportunities for interesting photography in high summer. As always click on an image for a larger file to view and thanks for checking in!

Lightning bug ball in rural Charles Mix County, SD

Comet NEOWISe above Ravinia, SD

NEOWISE and an abandoned house in rural McCook County, SD

Hoary vervain wildflowers in tall grass near Lake Badus, SD

Vivid rainbow in rural Lake County, SD

White-tail family in soybeans

Sunset painted clouds over Island Lake

Trumpeter swan and cygnets in rural Deuel County, SD

Comet NEOWISE over Concordia Pioneer Lutheran Church in Roberts County, SD

Ruby-throated hummingbird nectaring on a leopard lily in the flower gardens of the Dells of the Big Sioux Park near Dell Rapids, SD

Sideoats grama florets