I took quite a few photos of this arrangement with my wide angle lens, kneeling in the snow. Even though I was getting cold, I knew the cardinal rule of photographing sunsets: much of the drama of a sunset occurs after the sun goes over the horizon. Thankfully I had this solitary windmill to keep me company. I prefer to think of this photo as capturing the windmill as it witnessed the setting of the waning sun.

These beautiful colors lasted mere seconds as the sun hit the perfect point, splashing color and shadows simultaneously across the clouds. This is the sliver of time that makes North Dakota sunsets so memorable, and it requires some keen timing and a bit of preparation. They’re still the finest sunsets I’ve ever seen, which is why I never tire of chasing them and posting them here.