Sunday, May 6, 2018

April 2018

Winter's ice receding from the Oahe dam near Mobridge, SD in early April
April was a tough month in South Dakota. Winter lingered, then left, then returned. Then repeated the whole scenario a couple more times for good measure. Despite of, or maybe because of the weather there were some interesting images to be captured regardless. I was in the north central and central part of the state early in the month, then focused my attention around southeastern South Dakota for the remaining early spring winter weather. Whoever came up with the phrase, "South Dakota is the land of infinite variety, pretty much hit the nail on the head. It holds true for the landscapes, the wildlife and especially the weather.  So, here are my favorite 12 of the month for you. Click on an image for a larger file to view and thanks for checking in! 

Greater Prairie Chicken "booming" on a lek in Fort Pierre National Grasslands

Meadowlark at Fort Pierre National Grasslands

Early April snow at the Sioux Falls Outdoor Campus

Cedar Waxwing during an April snow at the Sioux Falls Outdoor Campus

A robin puffed up against the cold during an April snow at the Sioux Falls Outdoor Campus

The first pasqueflower of the year in rural Hanson County

A pasqueflower that survived a mid-April blizzard

A pasqueflower standing strong above the snow and ice

A golden-crowned kinglet at Palisades State Park

A lovely spring sunset in rural McCook County, SD

Blue skies, green grass and a red barn at the end of April in Clay County, SD