JAWS

My favorite pile of ice amongst a sea of ice piles that I found yesterday.  The piece sticking up at the top reminded me of a shark fin, thus my title for the image: JAWS.  The blue of the ice was incredibly striking in the sunlight.  

Lake Superior Ice - Five Mile Rock

Found some nice ice piles yesterday and spent the afternoon photographing them with a fairly brutal wind in my face.  The day started off nice and calm but by the time I arrived at the ice piles it was whipping pretty good.  I like how Five Mile Rock is floating mirage-like on the horizon. 

Icy Sunset on Lake Superior

I caught some really beautiful light at sunset over Lake Superior today just north of Five Mile Rock outside of Grand Marais, MN.  The ice has been pretty incredible the past few weeks and it continues to build.  It was pretty windy as I made these photos and I could hear what sounded like a freight train as the ice crunched its way along further out in the lake, pushed by the wind. 

Furious Wind and Snow

Words cannot fully describe the awesomeness of the weather today.  The wind and blowing snow is unbelievable.  This view of the Susie Islands clearly shows just how impressive it was.  You can barely make out the islands in the background.  For comparison, below is a photo of the Susie Islands that I took on February 17, 2017. 

Another Blizzard

As promised, we got hit with another winter storm today.  Along with the snow we had very high winds (which are still going on, although the snow has stopped falling).  Every now and then throughout the day the winds and blowing snow were so bad that visibility was extremely poor.  Thanks to MNDOT for keeping the plows out all day today! 

Snowshoe Hike and Fisher Tracks

From yesterday's snowshoe hike.  I wasn't the only one out and about on such a beautiful day.  For almost 3 miles of my hike I was fascinated by the Fisher tracks wandering all around the forest.   He used my trail quite a lot :-) 

Ice Cracks on Wauswaugoning Bay

Super interesting cracks in the ice on Wauswaugoning Bay of Lake Superior in Grand Portage, MN.  Photographed from the summit of Mt. Josephine (700 feet above the surface of the lake) using a telephoto lens. 

Winter Whiteout!

MNDOT plow clearing Highway 61 just north of Two Harbors, MN.  This is what the driving conditions were like as I drove back home from Duluth this past Wednesday.  I photographed this scene using a long telephoto lens from the safety of a driveway off the side of the highway.  Looks like we're in for even more of this weather over the weekend. 

Just another day in the Arctic!

Actually no... this is just Lake Superior near Duluth, MN!  But it sure looks like it could be the Arctic.  Lots of ice developing on the big lake this year, and people are taking full advantage of it.  Quite a few ice fishing houses set up between Duluth and Two Harbors, and lots of people out taking photographs and just enjoying the views of the ice.  The rising moon added a nice touch as well!

Winter Sunset from Mt. Josephine

Today was my 4th time in the last 10 days snowshoeing to the top of Mt. Josephine, and today I finally got some nice light as the sun was going down!  I've mostly been doing the hike to get some exercise, but I admit I was getting a little tired of the gray skies every time.  Tonight's sunset was pretty spectacular and I'm glad I was up on the mountain to witness it.

Morro Rock Sunset

Going back to California for today's post, to a beautiful evening spent walking along the beach at Morro Bay.  The day ended with a spectacular sunset over the Pacific Ocean.  Morro Rock itself is a fascinating sight, a volcanic plug towering 581 feet over the ocean.  Couple that with a gorgeous sunset sky and you get another unforgettable California experience!

High Falls Deep Freeze

Current conditions at High Falls in Grand Portage State Park, MN.  With all the cold and snow we've had the past month the waterfall is about as frozen as it gets.  It sure is pretty when the clouds part and we get some blue sky!

Snowshoeing Mt. Josephine

Today I did my favorite snowshoe hike: Mt. Josephine in Grand Portage, MN.  I love this ridge and the views it provides of Lake Superior.  One of the best on the north shore for sure.  Such a great day to be out in the woods.  I would have preferred a little sunshine but it was nice and calm which was awesome.  My Iverson snowshoes are holding up really well.  I have had them for a long time and they still work flawlessly. Best snowshoes around for breaking trail!

Drifted

With all the wind we've had lately the drifting snow has provided for a lot of cool abstract imagery. 

Snow Canyon

Winter is one of the most beautiful times of the year.  As I wander the woods of northern Minnesota I am constantly reminded of this.  And that beauty doesn't always slap us in the face.  Sometimes its very subtle.  Such as when you wander through a meadow and notice gentle curves in the snow, mirroring the path of a small stream that is buried several feet beneath the surface. 

Ice as far as the eye can see...

About a week ago we had new ice spreading out to the horizon but then the wind came and overnight it was all gone, broken up and pushed out from shore.  We've once again got a good layer of ice forming, and the forecast for the next few days is calling for northeast winds.  Northeast is a more favorable wind for pushing the ice into certain areas along the north shore.  Hopefully this means we'll have some ice piles developing over the coming days.  Ice piles are one of my absolute favorite things to photograph!