January 2019

Winter evening with a bright, red barn in Southeastern, SD

 January of 2019 was a tough month. It seemed like there was more work than ever that needed to be done and like the fleeting winter daylight that accompanies this time of year, there just wasn't enough time to do it all plus go photo hunting. As I entered the last full week of the month, I thought that maybe my practice of posting twelve "best" photos of the month was in jeopardy.  Since January of 2013, I have been able to shoot and share enough photos each month to choose a dozen photos here on this blog. Up until a few weeks ago, I had only been able to get out to shoot a couple times in January and the prospects weren't great work-wise nor weather-wise to change that. After shaking myself from the winter doldrums, I decided that despite the cold and snowy weather, I shouldn't give up so easily. I dusted off the old coveralls and went for a couple cold season hikes to get started... One at Good Earth State Park and the other at Palisades State Park during a snow event.  Then a polar vortex hit the last few days of the month offering dramatic sun dog opportunities. Just like that, I had more than enough photos to choose from for the month. Here is the selection representing my favorite twelve for you. Click on an image for a larger file to view and thanks for stopping by.

New Year's Day sunset

Pleasant Hill Chapel sunset - Union County, SD

Red-bellied woodpecker at Good Earth State Park

Looking straight up while on a hike at Good Earth State Park

Black-capped Chickadee at Good Earth State Park

January sunset in Southeastern SD

Snowmelt icefall at Palisades State Park

Snow falling at Palisades State Park

Snow falling amongst a Sumac stand at Palisades State Park

Sundog Dawn over Falls Park in Sioux Falls

Incredible sundog with a full sphere of morning sunlight refraction just west of Sioux Falls

December 2018

Frost on the Farm - rural Lake County, SD

December was pretty photogenic this time around. We had snow at the beginning of the month, then a (relative) warm spell with a couple of foggy mornings that provided beautiful frosted landscapes. Thankfully I was able to get out and explore those landscapes due to the weekend or vacation timing. Because of this, you'll see plenty of frost photos in this month's collection. Click on an image for a larger file to view and thanks for checking in!

Madison, SD's United Methodist church with outdoor Christmas tree

Downtown Garretson, SD 

Frost and red barn in rural Minnehaha County, SD

Frost on a branch of the tree outside my front door

Frosted leaves at Big Sioux Recreation Area near Brandon, SD

Frosted leaves at Big Sioux Recreation Area near Brandon, SD

Frost on red berries

Frost on black berries

Cardinal on frosted branches at Lake Herman State Park near Madison, SD

Sunset in eastern Hutchinson County, SD

Late December sunset in rural McCook County, SD

November 2018

St. Helena Chapel and Cemetery in northeastern NE in the early evening

It was a cold and wintry November here in the northern Great Plains.  I was able to break away during the daylight to find some photos however.  Primarily on weekends and over the long Thanksgiving break.  Here are my favorite twelve of the month for you.  Click on an image for a larger file to view and thanks for checking in!

Ice art found at the Sioux Falls Outdoor Campus

November sunset with new building

German iron wrought cross with hoarfrost south of Lowry, SD

Buck easily clearing a frosted fence north of Lowry, SD

Hoarfrost scene along US Highway 12 near the turnoff to Java, SD

Lake Oahe sunset - from Mobridge, SD

Badlands Bighorn ram

Custer State Park buck in light snowfall

Snow with a buck in the southern Black Hills of South Dakota

A nice 4X5 white-tail buck in Custer State Park

Snowfall abstract at the Custer State Park State Game Lodge area

October 2018

October rain at sunset in southwestern Minnehaha County, SD

The month of October brought a lot of variety in terms of weather.  Sunny days, early snow, a bit of rain and the usual winds of Autumn all made an appearance. The odd patterns made for a less than colorful foliage season, however, there were still opportunities to find beauty around the countryside and in town. Here are twelve of my favorite images from the month that was.  Feel free to click on an image for a larger file to view and thanks for checking in!

A small early evening rainbow over a red barn in southwestern Minnehaha County, SD

Autumn leaves on fresh snow in Terrace Park - Sioux Falls, SD

Fresh snow on an Autumn leaf in Terrace Park - Sioux Falls, SD

An Autumn arch of color reflected in the still waters at Lake Herman State Park near Madison, SD

Harvest haze south of Bridgewater, SD

On golden pond at Covell Lake - Sioux Falls, SD

A fiery colored leaf at Terrace Park - Sioux Falls, SD

Autumn leaf detail at Terrace Park - Sioux Falls, SD

Autumn leaf detail at Terrace Park - Sioux Falls, SD

Autumn leaf detail at Terrace Park - Sioux Falls, SD

Buffalo Slough Sunset near Chester, SD

September 2018

Sunset road in southeastern South Dakota

September is a transition month in South Dakota. This offers plenty of photo ops if one is willing to get out the door and look for them.  From migrating birds to the beginning of fall color as well as the colorful sunsets and sunrises, the palette is often full of drama and beauty.  This September was no different.  Here are twelve of my favorites for you. Click on an image for a larger file to view and thanks for checking in!

Ruby-throated hummingbird sipping from a blooming Jewelweed

Baby snapping turtle at Lake Herman State Park near Madison, SD

Sumac at Sica Hollow State Park

Fall color and an abandoned house behind some of the season's last goldenrod in bloom in Roberts County, SD

An autumn scene in Harding County, SD

The season's first snowfall at Spearfish Canyon

The road west from the Slim Buttes in Harding County

Fall in the Slim Buttes Castle Rock area

Autumn in Custer State Park

A mountain bluebird posing for me at Custer State Park

Zooming in all the way with my Canon 100-400mm telephoto and a 1.4 extender