An abstract photograph of birch trees and green, green grass south of Havre, Montana.

“Spring is not a season in Montana; it is a series of events that occur throughout the year.”

I overheard someone say that a few weeks back after I took this photograph on what was one of the more spring-like days in Havre, Montana.

It took a long time for spring to arrive in Montana, but when it did, it did so with gusto. While my friends and family back home had already experienced spring, and moved immediately on to summer, I was still driving through snow and using the heater at night in Havre, Montana. Hills were still brown and the cold air blowing in the from the north draped much of Havre.

Finally, after many, many months, the winds shifted and spring arrived. With it, so too came the rains.

The average rainfall in Havre, Montana is only 11 inches; barely one inch more than what would be considered a desert. This year, however, rain has been plentiful. Reservoirs, large and small, which are used to hold the rain for irrigation and human/animal consumption, are full to the brim. As such, the hills and valleys are a bright, bright green and wildflowers abound.

Spring in Montana is a beautiful time of year…and lucky for me, it really does happen throughout the year. Last week I saw highs in the 60s. This week it will be in the mid-90s. Next week, I’m told, it will fall to the 40s again as a cold front moves through. That’s the fickle nature of weather here in Havre. The hard part is getting used to the change. The best part, is also getting used to the change.