Best of April 2014

Sharp-tailed grouse displaying on a lek on the Fort Pierre National Grasslands

Here are twelve of my favorite photos from April, 2014.  I've noticed that the blogger software is brightening these photos more than it should on this post as well as last month's.  I'm not finding any preferences to shut that off, so I guess I'll have to live with it.  Anyway, thanks for checking in.  Click on an image for a larger file to view and enjoy!

The South Dakota State Capitol building reflected in the relatively calm Missouri River.

Holy Name Chapel with the Milky Way found southeast of Ft Pierre on the northern edge of Lower Brule Reservation.

Snow Trillium in bloom at Newton Hills State Park.

Belleview Lutheran near Howard, SD at sunrise.

The full moon with the clock of Sioux Falls' Old Courthouse Museum Tower.

A blood moon caused by a full lunar eclipse later into the night.  The spires of St. Joseph's Cathedral in Sioux Falls provides the framing.

Calvary Church in rural Clark county on a warm, blue sky Easter Weekend.

A brief display of northern lights on Easter Sunday night above Isabel Lake in Dewey County.

The Korb Windmill southeast of Isabel, SD with the fading Aurora.

My favorite pasqueflower photo of the season.  Since I shot a lot of our state flower, I have decided to compile the best of those as well as a few favorites from the past few years in a supplemental post coming soon.  

This mallard drake seemed to be smiling at me when I shot his portrait at Prairie Trail city park in southern Sioux Falls.