Hunting

Last night as we had a late dinner on the back deck, we kept hearing a very strange "screeching" noise.  There were definitely two different birds talking, but neither Bill nor I could figure out what the sound belonged to.  All of a sudden I caught a movement and saw an owl fly into one of the oak trees.  It was the strangest owl sound either of us remember ever hearing.  Of course I had to get the camera out.  Unfortunately light was fading and I was at the end of my lens and still have to crop in quite a bit.  We never did see the second one, but he did do one very fine pose for me before tiring of the camera.

I was able to get a couple other nice shots of him, but this being the most traditional photo.

Just Because

Right before Rally I did a habitat shoot for Pheasants Forever (which I/we volunteer for).  I am still very much catching up on photo's I took just prior, during and after Rally, but I'm getting there. This is one that I was able to capture.  I just like it.

A volunteer sunflower along the edge of the road watches over the valley as the crops ripen, readying for harvest.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Lurking In the Shadows

Last week the doe I saw this doe and her twins enjoying a snack in the shade.  The other fawn was a bit camera shy and wondered off to the other side of the yard before I could capture the three of them together.  The shade must have been a relief in what had been 90+ degree temps!

Ellsworth Air Base (New Underwood, SD) Airshow 2015

Today was not what one would really consider a 'picturesque' day for taking plan photo's.  I did, however, capture this at the airshow.  Love me some Thunderbird's!!!

Really? It's Been THIS Long???

5 years of friendship, 2 years of dating, 16 years of marriage.

Everyday seems to bring yet one more adventure for us.  Thank you to all that have been by our side from day one, and thank you to all that have joined the adventure along the way.  It certainly has been eventful....wonder what else is yet to come???  Love you Bill!

Whitewood, South Dakota - Rally 2015

The town we moved to in 2009 is a very sleepy, watch time go by, much overlooked, population of 940 according to city-data.com.  However, I dispute the town is this large as an overall statement - believe we are far more in the 6-800 numbers.  But then, what do I know?  I just live here.  But not even in town....I prefer the "suburbs".

Sturgis 2015 Rally - the 75th annual - was massive to say the least.  Our small town had a vacant event venue transformed into a viable business.  We were invaded by bikers, bikers, and more bikers.  Helicopter rides were seen being given on a what seemed like a continual basis.  A party bus ran between Sturgis and Whitewood on a frequent schedule.  Our economy received a H-U-G-E jolt!

This is what a sleepy town looks like during a huge Sturgis 75th Anniversary Rally. 

Congratulations to the owner's of the Whitewood Campground and Event Center.  You have our survived your first Rally!  I hope your investment into our community pays off not only for you, but for our town's economy also.

Mom and Her Siblings

Rally 2015 besieged the area for the past several weeks leaving virtually no time for anything but, well, Rally.  Things are pretty much back to normal in the Black Hills now though, with the estimated 1.8 million visitors on their way home at this point.  

The family reunion I spoke of a couple posts ago was the Lindsay's - my Mom's side of the family.  Although many cousins were missing, Mom was able to spend time with all of her siblings and we managed to even get one good photo of all of them - even all of them looking at the camera.  (A feat to say the least with 40 different cameras flashing!)

Karl (younger brother), Evelyn (youngest sister), Mom (oldest) and Mildred (2nd to youngest).  A spry group for sure!

And one with spouses:  Louis and Karl, Evelyn and Allen, Mom and her sister Mildred.

Even though everyone had been camping for a least a couple of days at this point, I'd say they all clean-up pretty well!