Seasons
Picnic Reflection
Lake Plumbago
L'Anse, Michigan
After leaving Canyon Falls, I decided to go and grab something to eat. While driving down the highway I was coming around a corner and looked to my right and saw this scenery and my reaction was "Holy Cow!!"
I slowed down immediately and parked my car to take this moment in. To see Lake Plumbago under the calm skies it looked like it was a giant mirror.
I spent some time here taking in this autumn scenery and there was so much to process. I wanted a foreground to capture to set the tone here and saw this picnic table with leaves fallen on top of it. I knew it would make the scene pop more.
The reflection of the lake was just something that felt surreal and I stayed here for quite sometime.
My hunger definitely wasn't there after seeing this beautiful scenery. that's for sure!
Autumn’s Twilight
Lake of the Clouds (Porcupine Mountains State Park)
Ontonagon, Michigan
This was long awaited and I’ve missed out on many opportunities to experience this beauty in Michigan.
In September 2024, I wanted to make this happen. unfortunately I didn’t make it in time to get to this location. In hindsight, it wasn’t meant to be.
About 2 weeks later in October, I went for a second try at it and made a beeline to get here. I was so anxious and excited to finally arrive with enough light to take in this vast overlook of autumn beauty. I had about an hour or so of daylight left and I had to tell myself that I had to capture this colorful autumn treasure.
I wanted to experience this many years ago and I went completely out of my way to have this moment. I was overwhelmed by emotions to finally witness this in person. sometimes videos and images can give you an idea of an area but to see it in person is a completely different feeling. This did not disappoint.
When I look at this image, it automatically takes me back to this evening and the experiences I got from this. I left from here a different person. I still feel those emotions even now just looking at this final image.
The Winter Stroll
Jay Cooke State Park
Carlton, Minnesota
Winter had finally arrived here and I only stopped here during the summer and autumn and at that time, it was only to purchase a vehicle pass. I never stopped to take in the sights honestly.
Normally, I will wait for the right season to fully embrace a location based on some images that I've seen online. This definitely didn't disappoint.
I've seen countless images of this iconic swing bridge and since I had a good understanding of the layout, I waited til we had recently got dumped with some snow to fully capture this moment. There were few people around and the swing bridge was the right subject to capture under the winter afternoon. The light was playing nice with me and the faint sound of the Saint Louis River were flowing under the layers of ice and freshly fallen snow. I struggled at first to get a composition but I wanted to highlight the path across the swing bridge to give a first person view of what it was like to take this winter stroll across it. A classic image indeed.
The ambient sounds of nature in silence spoke volumes as this area can be full of tourist and locals alike. During the winter months, the quietness of this area could set the mind at ease.
Transition
Brighton Beach
Duluth, Minnesota
Upon going for a morning drive I wanted to get out and enjoy the morning sunrise before starting my day. I didn't have any location in mind to capture but I brought my gear with me just in case I found something worth while. The sun was beginning to make its way over the horizon and I was making my way on the outskirts of town until I spotted the ice rushing up on the shoreline. I decided to pull over and scout out the area for something interesting to capture.
Many people stopped to take in the morning beauty of the spectacle of the ice that resembled shattered glass on the shore and I came upon this interesting spot to capture this winter wonder. The skies had a faint haze towards it and this frozen rock was remaining as solid as can be while the ice was becoming its temporary neighbor.
The sounds of ice crashing creating its own music in nature showing the signs of a seasonal transition. I haven't seen the ice like this in a few years and this was definitely a treat to start the day off on a good note.
This pocket of peace was something I wish that the whole world could witness. The winds off the lake was reminding me that we are still in the winter season and I was also greeted with a unique "Good Morning" from the lake by getting my foot wet upon stepping on what I thought was solid ice. It was a good laugh that I needed in the moment and also a message to enjoy the process of life. I wasn't bummed about having a wet foot because I left with the thought of not to take life too seriously because we overlook the little moments that we would regret later on.
Stand Still
North Shore Minnesota
This was a hidden gem that I stumbled upon on a snowy weekend cruise. I had to make a U-turn for this scenery because it seemed like a dream that I saw and I couldn't believe it. I spent a beautiful weekend exploring and enjoying the moment of the weekend and when I saw this, I just had to capture it.
The snow was falling and the lake was calm in some areas and wavy in other areas but this scene I had to take in because in my mind at the time, I was thinking of the world and how it has shaped over the last few years.
I know this may sound a bit strange to folks but spiritual warfare is a real thing, and lately, I've been feeling like I was living the book of Job in my life. I felt alone in my own personal struggles but I knew that I wasn't. The Adirondack chairs reminded me of that.
Emotions were high at the time but I was calmed by this sight and I just stood here even after taking this image to take this in. The winds were starting to pick up but I stood here to fully processing all that I was feeling.
Sometimes with the world in its own madness we must stand still and know that we aren't alone. The ones we cherish the most will remind you that you aren't in this battle alone.
Closing Time
Park Point
Duluth, Minnesota
On the way back home from a North Shore adventure, I decided to make a stop in Park Point after being informed about some tulips along the shoreline. It was a great way to end the weekend on a high note. Upon arriving here, there were a few cars already taking images of these tulips as well.
I waited my turn and asked the property owners for permission to do so. They were kind and allowed me to capture some images of their hard work. I was informed that some voles ate up some of their plants but the ones as you see here were just fine.
The signs of spring were in full color here and it gives such a beautiful vibe to see this in person after a long winter. As the sun began to set behind the landscape, I had to capture this beauty of the tulips were closing its doors once the sunlight was beginning to fade. During this time, I was "bridged" by a ship that was coming in from its journey across. I couldn’t ask for a better way to be held up by traffic.
A Place to rest
Presque Isle Park
Marquette, Michigan
This was my first time visiting Marquette during of the late summer/early autumn season. I was amazed by the scenery here in this section of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I couldn't wait to park my car and take a stroll along Presque Isle Park. After being greeted by some Canadian geese near the entrance (funny enough), the sights were just awe inspiring.
After composing myself of all the excitement of this journey, I took a stroll to see this gazebo. It felt like something out of a painting with the morning light shine its way through the park. The gazebo was just so fitting to this morning scenery that I couldn’t resist taking an image of it. The faint colors of maples changing indicated that autumn was definitely making its way in the Upper Peninsula.
The Greeting
Duluth, Minnesota
I was in a winter funk with the cold weather and the constant cloudy skies as of late. I was in hopes of some sunlight and I checked the weather in advance and saw that there would be some sunny skies. I grabbed my gear and made my way to the lake.
Once I arrived, the skies remained gray and moody. I felt kinda defeated about it but I remained hopeful. I walked down to the Icy shores to find a unique composition and I saw the ice covered rock formation.
Taking test images to get a proper exposure soon after, the sun began to peeked through the clouds radiating its vibrant light. I had enough time to get about 3 images taken and as soon as that light peeked through the clouds, it vanished.
I left here with the valuable lesson of patience and faith. It was very rewarding and calming to know that I was greeted with the brief morning light. I was beyond grateful with the final result.
Canyon Ruins
Canyon Falls Roadside Park
L'Anse, Michigan
There were many cool spots along Canyon Falls outside of the waterfall itself. This pathway was one that caught my eye. To think, during the peak of the autumn season that this area was peppered with beautiful color that contrast its stone rocky features.
Before walking down to the gorge, the colors along with some subtle light highlighted this location strongly. The cool October air was lingering all around under some moody skies.
The sound of the waterfall was drowning out any ambient sounds and people nearby creating a sense of tranquility. I felt like I was in some mystical amazon that was not of this world. Truly breathtaking.
Compliment
Duluth, Minnesota
In the mid to late month of June, I tend to start seeing lupines along the North Shore. I make note of where I saw them and plan a short adventure to hunt for a few of them.
Though they are an invasive species, they are very beautiful to witness. On this day, I felt like I was losing a bit of faith finding the right ones. Most were out of reach on private property or not in the right positioning as I wanted to capture them from.
Along this evening drive, a deer came out of nowhere from the side of the road. I cautiously slowed down to observe this deer as it was running towards any kind of safety but as I slowed down, there was this pocket of lupines on the side of the road tucked away from many eyes that wouldn't have noticed.
The deer managed to get to safety and I pulled over and walked back up the road to capture this set of lupines. As I got a composition ready, the evening skies became very colorful as if the sky and the lupines were complimenting each other's natural beauty.
What I took away from this moment was the Deer itself may have jumped out but also indirectly guided me to see this spot as I was the only car around at the time. I saw it as God using this beautiful creature to point me in the right direction to showcase its earthly beauty. I truly am beyond grateful for this moment in time.
Sunset Dance
Duluth, Minnesota
This was the second time that i’ve stopped here at this gem of a tree here in Duluth. Thunderstorms rolled in a few hours before and I wanted to get out and capture a sunset.
The clouds were very moody and gray and it did seem like a sunset wasn’t gonna happen but I decided to wait it out by testing out different shutter speeds to create a moody photo.
About 45 mins later, the sun had emerged through the clouds and the colors began to sprout out. I began to jump for joy as the images I was capturing were just getting better each time.
There were two police cars not too far from me and i’m pretty sure they were getting a good laugh at me jumping around like a giddy school kid getting all A’s on a report card.
This tree is so uniquely posed as if it’s dancing. It shows that even the planet appreciates the beauty of it all and has its own way of expressing it.
The Watcher
Skyline Parkway
Duluth, Minnesota
On this beautiful evening here in Duluth, I kept an eye on this tree for some time an I was waiting for the right time to capture this under the right conditions. The west end of town in the distance under the glow of the city lights and the fading daylight backlit this tree as it watches over the city.
Most stop in this area to overlook the city but I saw this differently. A sentinel in a way remaining in its designated post and taking in its sights on the daily. I've taken this shot before as a point of reference to seen how I wanted to frame this image as I see it here.
The winds have calmed down and I had to be patient to capture this. As I waited, I too, was watching the city just going about its daily motion and it left me with a sense of peace to stand still and appreciate the little things more.
Serenity in Blue
Stoney Point
Duluth, Minnesota
Braving the harsh cold winters here in Duluth can be a challenge. Many locals like myself know this too well. There's still raw natural beauty to it. The strong sense of silence of it all. The polar opposite of the loud lasting sounds that summer brings.
I stopped here in Stoney Point for a sense of a quick getaway. I saw what would be the usual trail to get to the rocky shoreline completely untouched and I didn't want to disturbed that scene. I had envisioned what would a painter do in this given situation.
To capture it of course!
The evening skies were beginning to dip down and I couldn't let this one go by. A long exposure would capture this just right I was thinking leaving the sense of transition of the evening sky on the freshly coated snow.
There's something about a winter evening that can be very captivating.
Superior’s Wrath
Stoney Point
Duluth, Minnesota
The powerful waves crashing along the shores of Stoney Point left the shoreline pretty icy to navigate. I decided to take a gamble to capture some frozen shrubs while the waves were intense. It took me a series of images to get the right one and multiple times going to my car and dry off my gear. Lake Superior was definitely angry and wasn't shy about it.
Autumn’s Awakening
Enger Park
Duluth, Minnesota
The morning was off to a bit of a moody start. I’ve been in search of something special for the autumn season locally. I felt guided to take a drive to Enger Park and take my time observing the autumn layout seeking something that stood out to me.
At first, nothing captured my attention. The morning light arrived briefly to showcase the magic of this colorful season but to my surprise, it only came in short bursts.
As I played the waiting game, many folks were now arriving and I was waiting for the most high to set the stage for me. Once another bursts of sunlight emerged, I saw this pocket of trees that were highlighted. I took a series of images from this composition only to have this final version of the image you see here.
A big part of photography that i’ve learned many moons ago is to have patience. It definitely paid off for this one.
Nostalgic October
Enger Park
Duluth, Minnesota
While playing the game of hide and seek with the sunlight, I observed the area along Enger park under the various lighting conditions. I saw the hard morning light capture this scenery and I had waited for the right moment to capture this picnic table. The fallen leaves reminded me of those autumn mornings walking to the bus stop going to school with the sounds of the leaves rustling while walking through them.
It took me back to that time frame when things were so simple. Having that pure joy of just walking through the leaves without a care in the world. To experience that feeling even now was just bliss. I knew I wanted to capture that feeling with this scene and giving it a proper feeling.
I’m sure you can all relate to the simpler times and having those moments where it all hits you at once. I truly felt that sense of nostalgia here.