April 2011

Welcome to this month's photo blog.  With the exception of one photo here, all were taken within the past month or so.  With the Spring melt in full swing, I found myself gravitating towards areas where the rivers and streams would provide ample opportunity for good photos.  But, in addition to finding lots of moving water, I also found several things in close proximity that were also interesting to photograph.  I hope you enjoy them.

The Mississippi River, looking upstream from atop the Coon Rapids Cam.  Deceptively calm and serene looking.  Quite the opposite on the other side of the dam.

Hidden Falls:  Taken in March 2010. (This is that one exception I mentioned!)

Vermillion River - Hastings

While not the apple of my eye, it did catch it.  Perched on a beam under the Hwy 61 bridge over the Vermillion River.  Pentax K-5, Pentax 18-135mm lens at 135mm, 1/100 sec. at f/11, ISO 200.

A bit further downstream along the Vermillion - Remnants of an old mill.

Sharing a Laugh

Footbridge over Vermillion

A hint of Spring

Memory Lane

I hope one of my pics made you smile!

Thanks for looking!

March 2011

Here are a few photographs I've taken over the past few months.  The first few were taken at the Como Conservatory and Como Park, while the others were taken in East (Old) Cottage Grove, Saint Paul, and parts between.  I hope you enjoy them.

"Attention Seeker"

"Blush"

"Couch Potato"

The sign on the front of this building says it was Washington County's first library, built in 1855.  It also served as Cottage Grove's "Lyceum Hall".  It is now located in the Cottage Grove Cemetery. 

This served as a school in the Dayton's Bluff area of Saint Paul in the early 1900's until around 1960.  It has since been renovated as apartments.

"Stairway to Liffey"

Downtown Saint Paul.  In the 60's and 70's, this was 7th Street, which has since been relocated one block north.  Back then, there was a small store about half way down the block called 3 Acre Wood.  The store was operated by hippies, and they sold waterbeds, black light posters, incense, candle holders, and of course drug paraphernalia.  It was the 60's and 70's after all...

Thanks for visiting!  Don't forget to check out the archives.

Seasons Change

Welcome to my photo blog. This month I've put together a few fall shots and mixed them with a few wintery scenes. 

Serenity

Watercolor and a Line

Nibble

Emulation

Drifter

On Golden Pond

Mears Park

Stranger in the Night--Dark Alley in Saint Paul

One-Eighty East Kellogg

That's all from the road. Thanks for visiting.

Twin Cities Nights

As Summer makes an exit and Fall ushers in earlier sunset times, a man's fancy turns to.... night photography. Here are a few shots I've taken in St. Paul and Minneapolis over the past year. A couple of the St. Paul shots, starting with this first one, were taken last Winter. This first one was taken from Mounds Park on the night when the Holiday Train made it's yearly appearance.

These next few shots were taken this Fall during a period when Warner Road was closed due to the threat of flooding.

Nothing special about this shot, but I DID work here at the St. Paul Post Office for 11 years, so I thought it deserved a pic.

Sibley Street and Warner Road, facing the river. Cool yellow lights!

Rice Park looking towards the St. Paul Hotel in February 2009. 

Westward now to the cool city lights of Minneapolis

This shot was taken a few nights ago, standing under and between the spans of the new 35W bridge. The bright "legs" on the wall, extending down from the blue sculpture at the north end of the bridge are cast from the bright lights on the bridge.

Here, I'm still standing in the same place, under the bridge, only I turned about 180 degrees to shoot the bridge span as it crosses the river.

This shot is from the deck of the Stone Arch Bridge. Thanks for checking out my Blog!

Early Fall Ride Photos

Sunnyside School 1873. I have ridden by this school several times this year thinking I'd like to get a few shots of it. Finally, I made it. I can't find much historical info about it, but it's located on Hwy 10 just West of Ellsworth WI. 

A peak inside the window shows there is what appears to be stamped tin on the wall above the doorways. This would be a neat place to be able to walk around in.

View of Sunnyside School from the cemetery across the road.

Vermillion Falls in Hastings MN. There has been a lot of rain lately, and the rivers in MN are cresting at levels near or above the spring floods. The Vermillion River is no exception, making the falls something to see.

Vermillion Falls Park. The steps leading from the roar of the falls.

It's been a while since I've taken any pics of the Hastings Bridge--okay, it hasn't been that long. But, the Mississippi wasn't nearly as high in August as it is now.

Red Barn near Maiden Rock WI.

Much closer to home at the Ravine Park in Washington County. The dock leading onto a small little lake.

I disturbed this fella several times in Grey Cloud Island the other day. He was hanging around a small bridge where the water is flowing fast from one section into another, probably looking for food to float up in the rapids. 

That's all from the road this time around! Thanks for visiting!