Wolf Creek Falls - Banning State Park

Hike to Wolf Creek Falls In Autumn – Banning State Park

Banning State Park October 3, 2018

With a forecast of temps in the low-mid 70s° and rain I thought this would be the perfect environment to capture the fall colors at Wolf Creek Falls in full saturation.

Wolf Creek Trail - Banning State Park
“Looking Back On Wolf Creek Trail” October 3, 2018
Wolf Creek Falls on a rainy fall afternoon
“Hiding From the Rain at Wolf Creek Falls” October 3, 2018
Standing on the ledge overlooking Wolf Creek Falls - Banning State Park
“Looking Out On Wolf Creek Falls In Autumn” October 3, 2018
Falls colors at Wolf Creek Falls - Banning State Park
“Leaves Swirling Below Wolf Creek Falls” October 3, 2018
Wolf Creek Falls - Banning State Park
“Bent Trees at Wolf Creek Falls” October 3, 2018
Wolf Creek Falls in early October - Banning State Park
“Autumn Afternoon at Wolf Creek Falls” October 3, 2018
Wolf Creek Falls - Banning State Park
“Rainy Autumn Afternoon at Wolf Creek Falls” October 3, 2018
Wolf Creek - Banning State Park
“Mushrooms and Fall Colors at Wolf Creek” October 3, 2018
Looking westward down the road after sunset - Minneopa State Park

Sunset On the Prairie – Minneopa State Park

Minneopa State Park Bison Range September 2, 2018

On Sunday of Labor Day Weekend I decided to head down to Mankato with the hope of getting close to the bison heard. At the end of the evening, I came home with 10-12 shots of the prairie at sunset.

Inside the bison range we’re expected to remain in our vehicles. With the ability to get up close I tend to get high up by opening the sunrider top on my Jeep then set up the tripod on the windshield and roll bar while standing on the driver seat.

As I began taking pictures I noticed the bison, one after another, appear out of the brush along the fence below Seppmann Mill. Though I’d already chosen my spot, I was able to tell passers by where to find the herd.

Minneopa State Park prairie
“Looking Down On a Field Of Goldenrod” September 2, 2018
Minneopa State Park prairie
“A Field Of Goldenrod” September 2m 2018
A Field Of Goldenrod with blue sky and clouds breaking up at sunset
“Layers Of Clouds Beneath Blue Sky” September 2, 2018
Field of goldenrod
“A Sea Of Yellow Under Blue Sky” September 2, 2018
Sun setting in the bison enclosure
“Sun Setting On the Prairie” September 2, 2018
Looking south at sunset inside the bison enclosure
“Clouds Passing the Minneopa Valley at Twilight” September 2, 2018
Sky glowing with color after sunset
“The Prairie Sky at Sunset” September 2, 2018
Sky glowing with color after sunset
“Twilight Sky at Minneopa State Park” September 2, 2018
Fog reflecting orange from the sky after sunset
“Sunset Reflecting In Fog” September 2, 2018
Fog over the prairie after sunset
“Fog Setting In at Twilight” September 2, 2018
Looking westward down the road after sunset
“The Prairie Road at Sunset” September 2, 2018
Someone coming and someone leaving the bison range after sunset
“Passing By” September 2, 2018
Full moon after sunset from the top of the bluff | John A. Latsch State Park

Hazy Sunset and the Full Moon Rising – John A. Latsch State Park

John A. Latsch State Park August 25, 2018

Wildfires in B.C. has been ruining the sunsets for a few weeks so with the full moon rising I decided to head to the bluffs with an expectation that the haze may actually enhance the moon rise. Standing atop Mount Charity and watching the cars pass seemingly at a crawl far below on Highway 61 as the light fades is always a pleasure. Most tend to leave long before sunset but for me this is the ideal time to slow down and watch (and capture) the changing light.

Orb-Weaver Spider at the top of the bluff
“Orb-Weaver Spider” August 26, 2018
Full moon over the Mississippi River from Mount Charity
“Full Moon Rising Through the Haze” August 26, 2018
Full moon after sunset from the top of the bluff
“Full Moon From John A Latsch State Park” August 26, 2018
Bison On the Park Road | Minneopa State Park

Minneopa State Park Bison

Minneopa State Park August 24, 2018

With Minneopa State Park a relatively short 85 mile/1.5 mile drive from Minneapolis I’d been making this trip often over the summer. If the light was less than ideal at the falls I’d would cross the hill to the bison enclosure. On this evening, the bison herd was slowing making its way west as the sun set.

Bison on the park road
“Bison on the Roadway” August 24, 2018
Visitor leaving car to get a better photo of the Bison
“Please Remain In Your Vehicle” August 24, 2018
Twilight Sky at John A. Latsch State Park

John A. Latsch State Park In Spring

John A. Latsch State Park May 20, 2018

A thin layer of clouds often makes for an excellent sunset and the vantage of the bluffs 500 ft. above the Mississippi River valley provide the perfect vantage point to witness the colors of the sky change as the sun drops below the horizon.

Walking up the steps of the Riverview Trail in spring John A. Latsch State Park
“Hiking the Riverview Trail” May 20, 2018
Sitting on the rocks atop the Bluff at John A. Latsch State Park
“Resting on the Bluff” May 20, 2018
Barges leaving Lock and Dam No. 5 and Highway 61 from John A. Latsch State Park Winona MN
“Barges Leaving Lock and Dam No. 5” May 20, 2018
Wild flowers growing on the bluff at John A. Latsch State Park
“Spring Flowers on the Bluff” May 20, 2018
Twilight sky at John A. Latsch State Park
“John A. Latsch State Park Spring Twilight” May 20, 2018
Twilight sky at John A. Latsch State Park
“Twilight sky at John A. Latsch State Park 2” May 20, 2018
Rocks lined up in the Baptism River below Two Step Falls - Tettegouche State Park

Two Step Falls In Spring

Tettegouche State Park May 5, 2018

With most of the snow and ice now gone I set out to capture Two Step Falls from the eastern side of the Baptism River.

Baptism River Two Step Falls in spring Tettegouche State Park
“Two Step Falls Tettegouche State Park” May 5, 2018
Rocks lined up in the Baptism River below Two Step Falls Tettegouche State Park
“Rocks in the River” May 5, 2018
Baptism River Two Step Falls from the Eastern shore
“Along the Shore Below Two Step Falls” May 5, 2018
Beach at the mouth of the Baptism River after a two-day spring snow storm - Tettegouche State Park

Tettegouche State Park After the Storm

Tettegouche State Park April 20, 2018

Earlier in the week a 3-day storm battered the shoreline with 18 ft. waves leaving thick ice on the cliffs and altering the flow of the Baptism River. I had initially hiked to Shovel Point, where found  trees still covered in ice, before returning to the mouth of the Baptism River at sunset.

Ice on the beach at the mouth of the Baptism River Tettegouche State Park
“Ice on the Beach” April 20, 2018
Twilight and ice covered rocks at the mouth of the Baptism River - Tettegouche State Park
“Last Remaining Ice” April 20, 2018
Ice covered rocks at the mouth of the Baptism river at twilight
“Beautiful Light” April 20, 2018
Baptism Riiver flowing into Lake Superior and ice covered rocks following two-day winter storm
“Baptism River to Shovel Point” April 20, 2018
Beach at the mouth of the Baptism River Tettegouche State Park
“Baptism River Beach” April 20, 2018
Waves crashing into Brighton Beach during a late winter storm

Lake Superior Late Winter Storm

Brighton Beach – Duluth, MN April 15, 2018

With waves forecast to be 12-18 ft.  along Lake Superior’s North Shore Sunday I decided to drive up from Minneapolis and see if I could make it as far as Split Rock Lighthouse or even Tettegouche State Park. Once I reached Duluth the snow quickly picked up and driving conditions deteriorated. Rather than continue on I spent the afternoon at Brighton Beach as massive waves crashed into the rocky shoreline.

Brighton Beach - Duluth, Minnesota
“A Place To Watch the Waves” April 15, 2018
Brighton Beach - Duluth, Minnesota
“Crashing Waves” April 15, 2018
Brighton Beach - Duluth Minnesota
“Lakeside Shelter” April 15, 2018
Brighton Beach - Duluth, MN
“Winter’s Last Gasp” April 15, 2018

Leaving Duluth I had to make a decision between I-35 and its well-plowed pavement, but also heavier traffic, and the less traveled MN-23 to Sandstone. I chose MN-23 and stopped for a break at Banning State Park before returning to I-35 and whiteout conditions all the way to Pine City. 

Banning State Park Ranger station during a snow storm
“Banning State Park Ranger Station” April 15, 2018