February 2017

Abandoned under a southwest Minnesota sunset

February was a month of spectacular sunsets.  Thankfully I was able to be out on the road to catch a few.  Unusually warm temperatures brought the snow geese to the area earlier than normal then a cold spell chased them back south again.  Like they say, if you don't like the weather in this part of the country, be patient, as it will change.  Click on an image for a larger file to view and thanks for checking in!

Sunset on Feb 1 above POET near Chancellor, SD

A low cloud lit beautifully be the setting sun on Feb 1.

Still standing in Turner County, SD

Southwest Minnesota Sunset

McCook County Sunset

Bald Eagle in the evening light

The Full "Snow" Moon in Minnehaha County, SD

Late afternoon light on tall grass at Newton Hills State Park, SD

Early arrivals in the air above a lone windmill in Southeastern SD

A thirty minute exposure of the stars wheeling around Polaris and the Balancing Rock formation at Palisades State Park near Garretson, SD

Night under the Falls of the Big Sioux in Sioux Falls, SD

July 2016

Verbena flowering in southern Hand County, South Dakota

 The heart of summer can sometimes be a deterrent to getting out into nature in this part of the world. The heat and humidity tend to drag a person down and shoo them indoors.  I'm not immune to this.  Thankfully the beauty of the sky, the sun and stars pulled me out of the dull comfort of my living room yet again this month and I was able to experience the wonder of nature all over again... and again.  From wildflowers in central South Dakota to amazing storm clouds above Sioux Falls a and then finally being able to spend a couple days at a prairie reserve in southwest Minnesota... The month of July did not fail to show beauty and wonder.  I had a very hard time narrowing down to twelve photos this time around.  This is a good problem to have.  Click on an image for a larger file to view and thanks for checking in!

Dramatic mammatus clouds at sunset over Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD

Sunset in rural Lincoln County, SD

Star trails and a touch of aurora paint the sky behind historic Telemarken Church along the Codington/Clark County line in northeast SD

Sunset in rural Minnehaha County, SD

Fawn in wildflowers in southwestern Pipestone County, MN

Touch the Sky Prairie near Luvurne, MN

Painted Lady Butterfly at Touch the Sky Prairie

Dragonfly at Touch the Sky Prairie

Dragonfly wing detail at Touch the Sky Prairie

Prairie Blazingstars and yellow coneflowers at Touch the Sky Prairie

Sunset in the tall grass at Touch The Sky Prairie