January 2021

Early January sunrise of the Falls of the Big Sioux

A relatively mild January brought a couple opportunities to get out into the world with camera in hand. This winter has brought more owl activity than any in recent memory. Particularly an abundance of short-eared owls in many locations. A particular group near Brookings has been the highlight of many birding enthusiasts since after Christmas. The evening I made it up there brought beautiful golden light to watch three hunt over a hayfield near the Big Sioux southwest of town. Later in the month, I heard there were no less than four snowy owls in the Redfield area, so I took a Sunday afternoon drive to investigate. I was able to see and photograph three individuals including a very white male shown as the last photo in this post. As January's go, this one was a good one. Click on an image for a larger file to view and thanks for checking in. 

 

Short-eared owl in the evening light

Frosty morning

Red barn on a frosty morning

Midway Lutheran (rural Moody County)

Lake Madison Lutheran

Winter scene after fog and frost

Great horned owl

Purple Finch

Red fox locked

Short-eared owl on the prowl

Snowy owl

December 2020

 

Sunset sky over the Arc of Dreams in downtown Sioux Falls

December of 2020 was a surprisingly colorful month for early winter in South Dakota. There was little to no snow but plenty of sunrises and sunsets as well as a few frosty days to exercise the camera muscles. Here are 12 favorites from the last month of the ill-fated 2020 for you to check out. Let's hope 2021 is as good as this last one was bad. Click on an image for a larger file to view and thanks for stopping by!

Frost on cattails with a red barn in the distance

Frost and fog with an abandoned prairie house

Sunrise with American Bison at Wind Cave National Park

Frost and fog at sunrise - Custer State Park

Frost on grass - Wind Cave NP

Frost on small leaves - Wind Cave NP

Frost on wild rose hips - Wind Cave NP

Coyote in the frosted prairie - Wind Cave NP

Bison on a frosty morning at Custer State Park

Barred owl in heavy snow - Big Sioux Recreation Area

American tree sparrow in snowfall - Good Earth State Park

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