Pasqueflower Portraits

First pasqueflower of 2014

Every spring, I like to hunt pasqueflowers.  I think it is the combination of the little buggers being hard to find as well as being the first flower to bloom that drives me.  By mid-March, I'm ready for winter to be done and anything that shouts "Spring" attracts me and my camera.  Plus this little beauty is South Dakota's state flower and endeared to many of my fellow Dakotans.  Whether you call it a crocus, a mayflower or a pasque, here is my collection of photos from this year as well as my favorites going back to the spring of 2011.  Click on a image for a larger file to view and enjoy some South Dakota goodness!

New blooms on the edge of Lake Vermillion Recreation Area

I think they look pretty good in black and white too.

Pasques in evening light - Hanson County

I found this guy in the Coteau Des Prairie Hills of southern Roberts county.  It was actually growing in a mowed ditch which allowed me to get up close for great backlight detail.

Taken in the last light of day in 2013.

Taken in 2012.  I was experimenting with shooting "wide open."  Which means I had opened up the aperture as wide as possible to blur the background.

My favorite from 2012.

From 2011.

This is my fav from 2011.  It actually made National Geographic's YourShot Daily Dozen, which was fun.

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.

Best of March 2014

Faint Northern Lights and a prairie windmill in rural McCook County

March is a tough month to find good photo opportunities.  Bad weather, muddy roads and chilly temps usually are working against you.  That said, with a little work and a lot of luck, it still is possible to find some really nice scenes.  Here are 12 of my favorites from the month that was March, 2014.  Click on an image for a larger file to view and thanks for stopping by!

Sunset and Immanuel Lutheran west of Dimock, SD

Singsaas Lutheran Church near the border of Deuel and Brookings county

Full Worm Moon rising in Turner County.  It's called the worm moon because March is supposed to be the month the earthworms start stirring in the ground.

Bald Eagle in flight near Silver Lake north of Freeman SD

Unused barn at sunset near Silver Lake

A lone duck just before sunrise at Silver Lake

First day of spring sunset in rural Minnehaha County

Zion Lutheran near Wall Lake after an early spring snow storm.

The milky way above Holy Name Chapel southeast of Ft Pierre

Greater Prairie Chicken displaying on Fort Pierre National Grasslands

Fighting for the prime dancing spots (and showing off for the ladies)

Best of February 2014

A Cooper's Hawk near Lake Vermillion Recreation Area

February has been coldish even for South Dakota, but not without some good photo ops.  I had some good luck birding again this month especially at Good Earth State Park southeast of Sioux Falls.  I also took the time to gather some more country church photos to kick off my new face book page called Prairie Sanctuaries.  This page is dedicated to images of the region's country churches.  A link for that page is HERE.  As always, thanks for checking in and taking a look.

Martinus Lutheran Church bathed in winter sunlight in rural Yankton County.

Sigel Church just a mile or two east of Martinus Lutheran that same evening.

The waxing moon and tall prairie windmill in rural Hutchinson County.

A snowflake happend to land on this cardinal's shoulder just as I snapped the photo at Good Earth State Park (click on the image for a larger file to view).

The last of the snowfall at Good Earth SP.

Resting deer at Good Earth SP.

A white-breasted nuthatch near the bird feeder area of Good Earth SP.

Post sunset colors on distant clouds above an abandoned farmstead near Freeman, SD.

Faint northern lights appeared above Oslo Church in Brookings County just as the moon rose and the clouds began to break up.

Another shot of the northern lights later in the evening in rural Minnehaha County.

Melting snow on my car's window obscure this image of Trinity Lutheran Church south of Hartford, SD.