"Adult Pileated"

SUNDAY, JULY 1, 2018

PILEATED WOODPECKER 05761

Yesterday after photographing the Pileated nest I also got this photo of one of the adults foraging in the forest beneath the tree that the nest is in. Most of the time he was very difficult to see but for a few moments here and there I was able to get a clear shot of him. I liked this photo and wanted to share it in addition to the photos of the nest.

Camera: Sony DSC-RX10M3
Focal Length: 600mm
Exposure Time: 1/500
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 400

"Mini Rainbow at Sunset on Lake Superior"

MONDAY, JULY 2, 2018

SUPERIOR SUMMER 04598

Grand Portage, MN

Beautiful sunset last night over Lake Superior in Grand Portage, MN. It had rained most of the day (I had 1 inch of new rainfall in my rain gauge) and as the sun was setting the weather was breaking. It made for some really dramatic clouds and light to finish out the day!

Camera: Sony DSC-RX10M3
Focal Length: 39mm
Exposure Time: 1/25
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 200

"Pigeon River Moonlight Abstract"

FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2018

ABSTRACT 4528

Grand Portage State Park, MN

The top of Middle Falls of the Pigeon River glowing in the light of a full moon.

Camera: Nikon D750
Lens: Nikon 24-120mm f/4
Focal Length: 98mm
Exposure Time: 20 seconds
Aperture: f/4
ISO: 400

"Arrow River Falls"

SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2018

ONTARIO 4639

Yesterday my good friend Roger and I crossed the border into Canada and did some off-trail hiking to this waterfall on the Arrow River. I have been to this waterfall a few times before but it was Roger's first time seeing it. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls I've photographed.

Not an easy hike to get to it though. The distance is not all that much but the woods and brush are very thick. And yesterday the temperature was in the mid 80's so it was pretty warm. Thankfully there was a strong breeze to keep the heat (and bugs) somewhat at bay. Even though we were there in the middle of the day I used my 6-stop ND filter so I could make some long exposures and smooth out the look of the water. An exposure length of 1 second was all I needed to create a nice silky effect.

Camera: Nikon D750
Lens: Nikon 24-120mm f/2.8
Focal Length: 52mm
Exposure Time: 1.3 seconds
Aperture: f/22
ISO: 100

"Here comes the storm"

MONDAY, JULY 9, 2019

LIGHTNING 4736

Last night there were thunderstorms rolling past Grand Portage just to the north. We had the rare treat of being able to watch the lightning without any real concern for getting caught in a downpour of rain.

My crazy cousin and I were out driving around until 2:00 AM watching the storms from different vantage points. Our favorite spot of the night was this location overlooking Teal Lake. I don't even remember how we got on the subject but as we sat in the car watching the lightning we were listening to The Doors on the car stereo. The first song we listened to was "The End", a 12 minute "psychedelic rock epic" according to Rolling Stone magazine. Over the years I've listened to this song countless times but as seems to be happening lately the lyrics at the beginning of the song really struck a chord with me. In the case of "The End", it goes like this:

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend
The end

Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
I'll never look into your eyes again

It's odd how these songs are popping up in my life these past couple of weeks. After listening to The End by The Doors we listened to another one that has resonated with me recently, Eye of the Storm by Godsmack:

Whistle blow down spirit, you're crawling in the middle
Don't you point your finger at my face
'Cause every bad decision that you made you're living with
And everyone else is to blame, here we go

In the eye of the storm I make my stand
But I'm not waiting for the walls to close in
I just brace myself for the winds to change their ways
In the eye of the storm I'm making my stand

Anyway it was cool to connect with my elder cousin as we sat there and shared this music while watching flashes and bolts of lightning dance across the sky. After a while I got out of the car and set up my camera to try and capture the show. I was able to catch one good blast of lightning on the far side of the lake and somehow it seemed to be the perfect image to go along with the mood and feel of the music we had been listening to.

Camera: Nikon D750
Lens: Nikon 24-120mm f/4
Focal Length: 24mm
Exposure Time: 13 seconds
Aperture: f/4
ISO: 400

"Milky Way Ride"

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2018

MILKY WAY 4848

For my blog post today I'm going to borrow some words from Dwayne Johnson, better known as "The Rock". The other day on Instagram he wrote something that is good for all of us to remember:

"We've all experienced that 'cloud' that consumes us. Times in life when things are hazy and unclear. Emotionally, mentally, physically. That's when I call on my anchors - the things I trust. the gym, my family, loved ones, my pancakes and tequila ;-) "

"Do your best to find & identify those anchors in your life. They'll help you push through those clouds to greater clarity, balance, harmony and positive results. Life's clouds & haze will always come and go. Find your anchors to help you push through."

As I was out photographing the other night I realized what some of my anchors are. The night sky, biking and photography. All 3 are represented here with this image I'm sharing with you today.

For me, my greatest moments of clarity, balance, harmony and positive results come when I'm basking in the glow of the night sky, cruising through the forest on an epic gravel road bike ride, or practicing the art of photography. All of these things anchor me and bring me joy, which is why I put so much energy into them.

So, like The Rock, I wholeheartedly recommend that you find your anchors and embrace them. Your life will be all the better for it.

Camera: Nikon D750
Lens: Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8
Focal Length: 24mm
Exposure Time: 20 seconds
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 8000

"The Universe Speaks"

FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2018

MILKY WAY 4865

Basking under the glow of Mars, Jupiter and the Milky Way on a warm July night on the Lake Superior shoreline in Grand Portage, Minnesota.

Camera: Nikon D750
Lens: Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8
Focal Length: 14mm
Exposure Time: 30 seconds
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 6400

"On the Shore of the Cosmic Ocean"

SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2018

MILKY WAY 4881

Spent last night basking in the glow of the Cosmic Ocean with friends both old and new. I took the time to make a few images but mostly just sat and enjoyed good conversation. So nice to share such a special night together.

Camera: Nikon D750
Lens: Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8
Focal Length: 14mm
Exposure Time: 30 seconds
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 6400

"Mesabi Miner"

SUNDAY, JULY 22, 2018

SUPERIOR BOATS 04654

Tettegouche State Park, MN - Interlake Steamship Company's "Mesabi Miner" rounding Palisade Head at sunset on Lake Superior on July 18, 2018.

Camera: Sony DSC-RX10M3
Focal Length: 412mm
Exposure Time: 1/200
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 400

"Awesome after-work ride"

SUNDAY, JULY 22, 2018

BIKING 08334

Awesome ride this evening. I was "in the groove" and my bike and I seemed to float effortlessly over the gravel terrain. Very therapeutic, just what I needed today. Caught a beautiful sunset as well at the turn-around point. Exactly one month ago today my life completely changed on this road. Everything happens for a reason... my optimism is high and from here on out anything is possible!

Camera: Sony DSC-RX100M3
Focal Length: 24mm
Exposure Time: 1/3
Aperture: f/11
ISO: 200