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Minnesota State Parks

38 images Created 8 Mar 2018

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  • The old cedar holds fast to the rocks. Tettegouche State Park, on the Baptism River.
    Along the Baptism River_P1060078.JPG
  • Jay Cooke State Park
    Folded Slate_IMG1585.JPG
  • This is an iconic view of the Mississippi Headwaters in Itasca State Park. At 5:00 AM, the tourists have not yet arrived.
    Dawn at the Headwaters_IMG5469.JPG
  • Probably the best known, so-called Hidden Falls in the state.  For a good reason - it is beautiful. At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
    Hidden Falls_IMG2727.JPG
  • Minneopa State Park, Mankato MN
    Minneopa Falls 2_IMG2797.JPG
  • I had the chance for a guided photo tour in Mystery Cave at Forestville State Park. It was interesting and lots of fun trying to capture the visual features of this attraction.
    Turquoise Lake_IMG8056-HDR.JPG
  • Sunrise is overrated.  In the hour preceding sunrise, colors are more intense. This view includes the "stack" of standing rock with Shovel point behind it.
    Dawn at Tettegouche State Park_IMG32...JPG
  • Wolf Creek Falls in Banning State Park is a mandatory hike and photograph location for park visitors. By visiting just before sundown, it is possible to avoid the crowds and catch some soft, evening light.
    Wolf Creek Falls 2019-08-17 10-29-04...JPG
  • Cascade Falls_IMG6056.JPG
  • This restored prairie in Wild River State Park offers a beautiful sunset view. With native grasses up to six feet tall, one can get a sense of how the prairie appeared to the first white settlers.  Soon after sunset, rays from below the horizon often light up the underside of higher clouds.
    Ten Minutes After Sundown_IMG7060.JPG
  • An early fall season sunrise breaks upon Split Rock Lighthouse at Lake Superior.
    Split Rock Lighthouse at Daybreak_IM...JPG
  • A trail on the shore of Lake Superior in Cascade River State Park. The old cedars have seen some things in their time!
    A Walk Among The Elders_IMG5731-2.JPG
  • The St. Louis River was running high due to heavy rains. Dam gates were opened to lower the reservoirs. I hiked the riverbanks looking for patterns of flow in this turbulent, boulder-strewn torrent.  I used slow exposures to reveal patterns in the flow that are not easily visible in real time.
    Flood Stage Series 7_IMG7434.JPG
  • Jay Cooke State Park
    Yellow Ladyslippers 2019-06-25 11-18...JPG
  • On the St. Croix River at Wild River State Park.  High water covers the sand beaches as it utilizes the full channel from bank to bank.
    Wild River Dawn_IMG7086.JPG
  • Looking south over Bearhead Lake, the Milky Way center rises alongside Jupiter and Saturn.
    Milky Way with Jupiter and Saturn_IM...JPG
  • Walking by this hillside, I was struck by the juxtaposition of this old Bur Oak and the younger Red Oaks on the hilltop. Nothing is forever, but this old oak has lasted a long time.
    Old Oak on the Prairie_IMG9995-2.JPG
  • Just a short walk from my campsite is a granite shelf that was scraped clean at the end of the last ice age. This rugged shoreline stands in contrast to the ethereal lightness of a sky full of stars.
    Starry Night at Gooseberry.JPG
  • Little Two Harbors Morning_IMG9709.JPG
  • I had the chance for a guided photo tour in Mystery Cave at Forestville State Park. It was interesting and lots of fun trying to capture the visual features of this attraction.
    Layers of Time_IMG8063.JPG
  • It is hard to know how old these cedars are, but they have survived many trials.
    Survivors_IMG6075-Edit.JPG
  • The St. Louis River was running high due to heavy rains. Gates at the Thomson Dam were opened to lower upstream reservoirs. I hiked the riverbanks looking for patterns of flow in this turbulent, boulder-strewn torrent.  Slow exposures reveal patterns that are not easily visible in real time.
    Flood Stage, Jay Cooke State Park_IM...JPG
  • This series of drops on the Cascade River is simply known as "The Cascades".  It is one of the most visited and photographed sites on the North Shore. This late summer morning  presented a peaceful mood.
    The Cascades_IMG6057-2.JPG
  • On a rainy day in late September. The falls are subdued this time of year. A slow rain adds richness to the rocks and roots. So unlike the wild and crazy spring scene at this location.
    Gooseberry Middle Falls _IMG9776.JPG
  • A late September evening with clear skies.  The Milky Way center will set within the hour. Jupiter on the right casts a bright reflection on Lake Superior.
    Milky Way at Split Rock Lighthouse _...JPG
  • Where the Gooseberry River flows into Lake Superior. The best sunrise of the week combined with wave action from yesterday's wind, created this beautiful scene.
    October Sunrise at Gooseberry River_...JPG
  • I had camped here on November 10th to photograph the lighthouse beacon at the Edmund Fitzgerald memorial. The next morning I awoke to a wonderland of fresh snow. In calm air with light snow still falling, it was fun to photograph this delightful scene.
    Split Rock Lighthouse in Fresh Snow ...JPG
  • These popular falls are  usually crowded with tourists. By arriving before sunrise, I enjoyed some solitude on this calm, early fall morning.
    Middle Falls at Gooseberry_P1050963-...JPG
  • This is a classic North Shore overlook for good reason. The view extends northeasterly toward Shovel Point and the Sawtooth Mountains beyond.  Step carefully toward the edge for this view.
    Early Fall at Palisade Head_IMG7235-...JPG
  • Split Rock Lighthouse is a small presence under this grand Auroral display.  A picture like this is a gift. The display lasted for 20 minutes, then it was gone.
    Aurora Over Split Rock 2 _IMG4375.JPG
  • On a fall camping weekend at Goosebery Falls State Park, late night rain, wet rocks, and departing clouds joined up to create this beautiful late September sunrise.
    Gooseberry Shore Sunrise_P1050914.JPG
  • Walking the basalt shelf on a calm, cool evening at Gooseberry Park, you can nearly have the place to yourself. The picnic tables were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. Skilled stonemasons constructed most of the parks buildings in that era.
    CCC Picnic Tables_1090601.JPG
  • Tettegouche State Park, Silver Bay, MN
    Tettegouche Park Aspens_P1060092.JPG
  • Mount Trudee, Superior Hiking Trail, Silver Bay, MN
    Mount Trudee_P1060097.JPG
  • I have seen many photos of the Headwaters during the day, but very few like this. In July the core of the Milky Way lines up perfectly at this location.
    Headwaters at Midnight copy2_IMG5539...JPG
  • At Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.  Probably the best known, most visited hidden falls in the country.  But when I am there I try to capture its mood of the hour anyway.
    Hidden Falls Close up _IMG2797.JPG
  • The light of the sunrise hour changes by the minute. These pink hues were reflected from the clouds just after the sun came above the horizon.
    Dawn at Mothers Delight_IMG6599-HDR-...JPG
  • The St. Louis River was running high due to heavy rains. Dam gates were opened to lower the reservoirs. High water and a red sky created a dramatic scene at the Swinging Bridge in Jay Cooke State Park.
    Jay Cooke Sunset 2_IMG7329.JPG
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