Happy New Year!

The full moonrise is always enjoyable to watch, especially on the one night of the year when it rises behind Split Rock Lighthouse. Year after year, like a well timed clock, the moon faithfully rises in the same location.
Tonight the moon welcomed in a new year under a partly cloudy sky and 10F weather on the shore of Lake Superior.  It just doesn't get any better, especially to have my wife Debby and a few fellow photographers whom I have known for years watch this quiet passing of the year and mark the end one year and the beginning of  the next.

Happy New Year!
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Give thanks to Him who made the heavenly lights—His faithful love endures forever.
 the sun to rule the day, His faithful love endures forever.
and the moon and stars to rule the night. His faithful love endures forever. Psa 136:7

Snow Crystals

We had a beautiful winter day today. 12F and light snow, perfect for taking pictures of snowflakes.
The delicate crystals fall thousands of feet, floating through the air like feather.  God's creation never ceases to amaze me.

More snowflakes can be views in my Snowflake Gallery.

Christmas Blizzard 2009

Although many travel plans were interrupted by the unusual Christmas Day Blizzard, the beauty it created was wonderful.  With off lake winds topping 50MPH it was a great day for wave watching.
After digging out of the two feet of snow, I headed down to the Lake Superior shore. The wind gusts pelted the ice and spray from the lake into my face like an old friend throwing a snowball.
Just viewing the power of the lake was a special Christmas gift and I'll share it with you in the following video. You can also view more pictures here.

Ice Fog Video

Ice fog rising of the Duluth Shipping Canal during a December cold snap.
The background music is provided by: Mary Beth Carlson

Steel and Fire

The attraction to Lake Superior during extreme conditions is always rewarding. Whether it is a ice storm, wind storm, fog, or cold, it seems the beauty is intensified by the interacting elements.

December has brought the first "real" cold of the winter and the -10F temperatures and -30F wind chill was enough to lift ice fog off the relatively warm waters of the Duluth Shipping Canal.

Getting out of the car into the icy air, quickly reminded me that it was truly winter. Breathing the air was like sucking on a Popsicle and the cold quickly bit into my hands.    

Viewing the beauty of a scene like this also reminded my of why I do what I do. There is nothing more satisfying than watching the hand of God mix the elements into breathtaking artistry.  It tends to put things into perspective relaxes the soul.