Spring in North Dakota -- could anything be more magical?

North Dakotans are used to waiting through long winters for those first signs of spring. Sometimes it seems like winters drag on forever, but as soon as you see some of those tell-tale signs, you know it's finally coming to an end. If you were to show someone from this state any of these photos, they would know they're from springtime in North Dakota. How many of them speak to you?

1. The beginning of the melt.

North Dakota winters tend to include a decent amount of snow, and that snow sticks around due to the freezing temperatures. Once things start to warm up, the snow begins to melt, and you'll get sights like this across the prairie.

2. A familiar sight and sound of the goose migration heading north.

Millions of migratory birds go over North Dakota every year, many of them snow geese, and a telltale sign of spring arriving is definitely their return as they head back north after wintering in the south.

3. The first few prairie crocuses, also known as pasque flowers, emerging from the thaw.

These flowers are usually the first ones to pop up right as spring begins. Some even make their way out of the snow. As soon as you see this classic North Dakota flower popping up, it's safe to say winter is finally ending.

4. Followed by fields full of them and other flowers.

The grass comes back to life and the prairie hills can be covered with these flowers. People love taking photos of them and sharing them as a true sign of spring.

5. The wispy prairie smoke flower will remind you of beautiful spring days.

After the prairie crocuses begin the season, other native flowers will make their return with beautiful spring blooms. The unusual-looking prairie smoke is one of them.

6. After the snow melts, the "stubble" of last year's fields is revealed.

Last year's harvest remnants re-emerge before the fields are tilled under and replanted for the new season.

7. Sometimes, however, the fields become oceans.

If you live in a river valley of North Dakota, this is a sight you've probably seen before during spring. If the snow melts faster than the ground thaws, you're going to see standing water in many ditches and fields. During particularly wet years, they make the fields look like oceans.

8. It doesn't stop there — spring flooding is something North Dakotans are all too familiar with.

High waters are not unusual for spring in North Dakota. In more recent years like 1997 and 2011, devastating floods occurred in ND that will stick in people's minds forever. Entire towns and neighborhoods were full of water and they caused millions of dollars of damage.

9. It's not always melting in springtime, sometimes the snow returns even after everything is green.

Sometimes it seems like the seasons are playing tricks on us. It could be in the 60s with beautiful, sunny days, green gardens, and no snow left, and a blizzard could roll through the next day. Seeing green trees covered in a dusting of snow in April or May is certainly a North Dakotan springtime classic.

10. In the end, the lush green prairie is all you need to know spring has truly arrived.

After the snow melts, potential floods, and occasional late-season snowstorm, it will always result in a stunning green springtime that makes living in North Dakota all the more worth it.

What other imagery makes you think of springtime in North Dakota? Do you have some all-time favorite spring destinations in North Dakota? Feel free to share them with us in the comments below -- we would love to hear from you! And, while you're planning your next great outdoor adventure, be sure to check out our list of hiking essentials so you're fully prepared.

Check out some other photos of North Dakota that showcase the varying seasons and beauty of the state. We really are lucky to call this great place our home!

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