Spring is in the Air

One of my favorite things about Springtime is how the Ponderosa Pines become a more vibrant green. Although the Black Hills could use some rain we've had a fair amount of heavy wet snow this Spring, the vegetation can certainly use any moisture it gets.

Burst of Color

This was a particularly peaceful Summer morning with hardly a breeze, the Canada Geese decided to steal the show when they seemingly posed for my picture and a short video of this quiet little lake in the South Dakota Black Hills.

Evening Glow

Springtime at Custer State Park in the South Dakota Black Hills features lovely sidelight from the setting sun, combined with vibrant green Pine trees and a hint of green grass just beginning to poke through the dry ground.

Almost Heaven

In the late Summer of 2017 I captured this shot while visiting Roughlock Falls in Spearfish Canyon. Sadly in 2018 there was a tornado that ripped through this area destroying many trees throughout the forest.

Falls Park in Sioux Falls

The Big Sioux River cascading over layers of rocks and sediment at Falls Park in Sioux Falls South Dakota, if you haven't been there yet it is worth the trip!

Bergamot Serenity

What a tranquil morning it was at this placid lake in the Black Hills where I found an amazing display of wild Bergamot, a prominent wildflower around here in the Summertime.

Placidity

A panoramic view of Lakota lake in the South Dakota Black Hills, this is in my opinion a literal definition of calm and serene tranquility.

Stratobowl View

Here was an incredible morning to admire this view of the South Dakota Black Hills from the Stratobowl Rim, only a short hike from the highway it's a beautiful way to begin or end the day.

Pasque

The petite Pasque flower is the South Dakota state flower which blooms for a brief season during Springtime in the Black Hills.

Cascading Profusion

Early in the season there was an abundance of water in Spearfish Creek as it flowed over the rugged terrain of Roughlock Falls last Summertime.

Tranquility Found

Taken from my photo files this past Spring, this image does absolutely no justice for one of my favorite views of the Black Hills. Morning or Evening, no matter the season this is an excellent hike for anyone!

Spring Thaw

This is a tight shot of a much larger Roughlock Falls in Spearfish Canyon. Early last Spring there was an abundance of water in Spearfish Creek as it flowed over this rugged terrain.

Contentment

After exploring around the lake I was content to sit back and watch while the sun highlighted this serenely quiet location in the Black Hills.

Forest Vibes

In my opinion there is no better way to begin a day than in the forest, alone with only bird sounds and perhaps a whitetail fawn calling for its mother somewhere in the distance.

Flower of the Sun

South Dakota has fields full of sunflowers during the month of August, this image was captured at sunset. Being heliotropic, the flowers are facing the East which is the same direction that the sunflowers in my Summer garden are always facing.

Rugged Beauty

Early last Summer there was an abundance of water in Spearfish Creek as it flowed over the rugged terrain of Roughlock Falls in the Black Hills.

Cathedral Spires

Named Paha Sapa by the Lakota Sioux tribe, the beautiful Black Hills in Western South Dakota was and still is the center of their universe and is still considered sacred by the American Indians. This image was captured near the Needles Highway.

Spring Makeover

Last Spring while I was hiking to a waterfall in Spearfish Canyon my attention was grabbed by these pretty leaves that were highlighted by the early morning sunlight.

Sunflower Fields Forever

An artistic blur shot featuring sunflowers against a vivid Black Hills sunset.

Stepping Stones

Sometimes you just have to stop and get your feet wet while enjoying your Summertime adventures in Custer State Park.

Wallpaper

A breathtaking Springtime view of this placid lake complete with cattails is one of my favorite places in the Black Hills, so peaceful.

Springtime Blues

After the Spring snows have thawed and the icy rivers and streams are free flowing once again, it is a pleasure to explore and create fresh images while finding new places that I have never been before.