January 2015 – Thomas J. Spence Images

Winter is in full swing and the thermometer has really shown it in recent weeks. Sounds like we are in for a reprieve from the sub-zero and windy conditions for a spell, though! The recent cold has been fantastic for winter photography along the lake and in the woods. Here are a few favorites that you may or may not have seen from recent hikes, drives and trips to The Lake.
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20141227-_MG_0111 — The High Falls on the Pigeon River in Grand Portage State Park. A MUST see in any season, though I prefer the winter ice that forms and the contrast of the snow on the cliff faces. Although, spring melt is a fantastic time to be there… and after a summer rain…

A winter hike up to Palisade Head. Some bilion years ago, rhyolitic lava flows formed these impressive formations along Lake Superior. — A winter hike up to Palisade Head near Silver Bay, MN. Some billion years ago, rhyolitic lava flows formed these impressive formations along Lake Superior.

The freighter Walter J McCarthy Jr. passes Schroeder, MN. The ships have been a regular site as the season comes to a close and the final loads are delivered around the Great Lakes. The locks will be closed in just a few days until the ice lets up in March.

I came across a the remnants of an otter party! These playful critters love to run and slide in the snow and on the ice. They had made a hole near a spring and appeared to have had a great time sliding and slipping!

And finally, the winter moose. I have been happy to catch up with a group of moose quite often over the past few months. Glad to report that I am still seeing a few of them out and about. I hope you get to see one of these fantastic animals on your next visit to the North Shore. — Winter moose!!!! I have been happy to catch up with a group of moose quite often over the past few months. Glad to report that I am still seeing a few of them out and about. I hope you get to see one of these fantastic animals on your next visit to the North Shore.

The Full Wolf Moon rising through the sea smoke on a VERY frigid January evening. Put a Lake Superior moon rise on your bucket list! — And finally, the Full Wolf Moon rising through the sea smoke on a VERY frigid January evening. Put a Lake Superior moon rise on your bucket list! I try not to miss one when I am around The Lake at the right time. There is a great moon/sun app called The Photographer’s Ephemeris that I would highly recommend to any sky-watcher.

This year I will keep you updated on the changing seasons and the changing light with frequent posts, so stay tuned! 🙂

Thanks for the visit –
Tom

About Tom

Images from Superior National Forest, Lake Superior and points beyond… Tom Spence is a 25 year resident of Minnesota’s Lake Superior North Shore. A carpenter by trade, Tom spends most of his free time in the woods of Superior National Forest, canoeing the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and on the lakes and trails in the surrounding area, always with a camera near by. Published landscape and wildlife photography and video as seen in print or online or on TV at Lake Superior Magazine, Backpacker Magazine, Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Magazine,
Warner Brothers Television Productions U.K., Animal Planet, Washington Post, Virgin Atlantic Travel Blog, Minnesota Monthly Magazine, Space Weather, Capture Minnesota Books including Grand Prize Landscape in Minnesota In Seasons, Omega Watches Lifetime Magazine, Minnesota Outdoor News, Northern Wilds, and many other local and regional publications.