"A Year on the Missouri" an illustrated program by Sam Stukel

The Betty Strong Encounter Center will present “A Year on the Missouri,” an illustrated presentation by Yankton, S.D., fisheries biologist and outdoors photographer Sam Stukel, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21. Admission will be free.

For the past two years, Stukel has challenged himself to photograph Siouxland’s stretch of the Missouri River throughout the four seasons. His goal? To capture perspectives of the river few Siouxlanders have seen.

Whether it’s an overlooked shoreline, a little-known plant or a time when few people are outdoors, the Missouri serves up countless photo-worthy opportunities, says Stukel. His illustrated presentation will highlight features he finds most interesting about each season on the

“The dynamic nature of the Missouri never ceases to amaze me. Observing its seasonal changes through my camera lens is fascinating. I could spend a decade doing this and barely scratch the surface” says the Gregory, S.D., native who has fished, boated, hunted and explored the Missouri River year-round since his youth.

The program will complement the winter installment of Stukel’s Missouri River-themed photo exhibit at the Encounter Center. “Winter is my favorite time to find variety along the shorelines. Nature is the real artist and its cold weather gallery is amazing to explore,” he says.

Stukel’s image “Frozen Fog” captures the interplay of water vapor and temperature that creates stunning scenes in reaches of the river that move too swiftly to freeze.

His “Left Behind” image reminds visitors that the comings-and-goings of ice jams are part of a normal winter on the flowing Missouri.

“Ice heaved onto the banks during times of heavy ice flows is often stranded there to slowly melt while its in-channel counterparts are carried away by the current,” says Stukel who began photographing life along the Missouri about 20 years ago.

An image titled “Ice-Out” holds the promise that the long winter is beginning to give way to spring. “With each breath of wind, more ice turns to slush, and more slush to water. Before long the buzz of activity will return,” says Stukel.

Stukel earned a biology degree at Mt. Marty College, Yankton, S.D., and a Master of Science in Fisheries Science from South Dakota State University. His first job in the fisheries field was working for South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (SD GF&P) on the Missouri River at Pierre, S.D.

He then spent several years studying the watershed of the last Missouri River reservoir (Lewis and Clark Lake) for Randall Resource Conservation and Development District.

After gaining insight into the importance of water quality and land-water interaction, Stukel returned to SD GF&P and fisheries work. He spent 11 years studying the endangered pallid sturgeon and other fish of the flowing river between Yankton and Sioux City.

Now, at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery in Yankton, Stukel assists with raising fish to be stocked into the Missouri and handling public outreach duties. “This is an excellent opportunity to ‘give something back’ to the river that gave me so much,” he says.

Stukel has been on the river more than 100 days each year for the past decade. His work has deepened his appreciation for all that the Missouri River offers, especially in the Yankton area that straddles the line between the reservoirs of the upper river and the engineered channel of the lower river.

As a photographer, Stukel first captured landscapes, wildlife and people. As his hobby progressed, he increasingly was drawn to Missouri River landscapes. Encouraged by reaction to his photography, he committed a year to shooting river images. The results have been described as “stunning.”