Traveling in SD

In the four weeks we have been back in SD, I have traveled a lot in the northeast corner to the north central part of the state. The state bird, the ring necked pheasant is abundant after a long winter. The male is a beautiful creature willing to stand along the side of the road and run in front of the cars, but quick to scurry away when the car stopped for a picture.


Another animal common to the state is the majestic bison. These were in a farmyard just north of Pollock. They once roamed the state but are now confined to farms, ranches and Custer State Park in the Black Hills.


The mighty Missouri River meanders from North Dakota through central South Dakota. The river is just a mile or so from the farm we lived on until I was six years old. The mighty Mo was just a small river in those days. Thanks to the spring thaws the river is once again above full and is a fishing paradise to the small communities along its banks. It is an awesome sight after seeing its shrinking size the last seven to ten years.

And the final SD symbol is the state flower, the Pasque, which was blooming in my flower bed when we arrived home. The first sign of spring, along with the robins.