A couple of weeks back, I posted my favorite wildlife moments of the past year. I took a lot of wildlife pictures, but when the critters aren’t cooperating or active, there is always something worth taking a look at, especially during the magical morning and evening light hours. I made a number of landscape photos I was quite happy with. We had a few incredible nights of northern lights this year that kept me out for hours in the National Forest. Minnesota has some of the darkest skies in the nation and Mother Nature and the night sky did not disappoint. I’ve included a few images from various nights. Lake Superior gave me a few favorite moments as well, as it always does, so there are quite a few of those included in this post. Last spring I took a road trip to another one of my favorite places, southern Utah. It’s really a paradise for photography. I’ve grown to enjoy the desert, mesa and canyon country of Utah almost as much as northeastern Minnesota. Almost 😉 There are a handful of photos from this year’s trip, which includes my personal favorite photo of the year! So from snowy scenes to sunshine, from forested landscapes to desert scenes, from the northern lights on northern nights, to southern sights on southern nights, the rivers and lakes and woods and hills, these are my favorite scenery shots from the past year in no particular order. Thanks to all for subscribing and following along and supporting me through print sales and calendars.
April 2022 – Winter lingered on for a spell last spring. The thaw was slow to come. Superior National Forest – Minnesota A blue hour sunset along Lake Superior at Temperance River State Park. The variety of rock colors on the beach here can be pretty wild. And it changes with every storm. Summer serenity at Sugarloaf Nature Center near Schroeder, Minnesota A rare SAR arc, or sub auroral red, during a wonderful display of aurora borealis. The northern lights and a SAR arc lighting up the sky over the Temperance River in Superior National Forest, Minnesota. Those gorgeous Lake Superior rocks. Those first few snowfalls of the season always have more beauty than the next few, it seems. This was early November. The rushing river added to the magic of the first real snowfall. A few inches of rain, dropping temps and a little snowfall. Perfect recipe for a stunning landscape. November 2022I was a little light on sunsets and sunrises on The Lake this year. I was usually chasing wildlife if I was out taking pictures. I did luck out a few times. This particular evening was out of this world. The eyes of fall watching with a stony brow. Potholes and fallen foliage at Temperance River State Park Autumn paddle in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Lakeside path in autumn splendor. It really was a remarkable fall color season. Sawbill Trail, fall colors and Lake Superior – Minnesota Calm reflection in Superior National Forest. One of the most serene scenes I captured this year. A light dusting of snow and a touch of fall gold. The view from Carlton Peak in Tofte, Minnesota A nice aurora arc over the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The calm waters of Sawbill Lake and some of the darkest skies in the lower 48 enab6us to experience the northern lights quite often here in the Arrowhead. This night, another skywatcher was lighting the fog from a dock up the shore. I liked the way his headlamp lit the fog. An amazing, early September display of the northern lights along Lake Superior. Tofte, MN September 3rd aurora borealis. This was a memorable night in Superior National Forest. This display started as the moon was setting, still casting shadows and the ground fog over the creek set the scene off. Same spot different day, it’s a favorite location 🙂 Sunrise color over the Temperance River in Superior National Forest – Minnesota 🌲Lake Superior is out there… This view from Carlton Peak in Tofte, Minnesota was ethereal with a blanket of fog breaking up and rolling over The Lake – summer 2022A climber nearing the top of his climb at Palisade Head – Tettegouche State Park Crescent Lake morningSummer sunrise at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. This was an extra special visit, photographing sunrise with family during our summer family reunion on Lake Superior. The Bears Ears – Bears Ears National Monument – Cedar Mesa – southern Utah is another special place for me, so I’m including a few photos from this year’s trip. Ancient Puebloan petroglyphs, snakes and spiders? And Orion in the dark, Utah skies. This peninsula of land held ancient Puebloan dwellings and ruins. One of the most memorable days of the year for me was hiking and exploring Road Canyon. Mt. Ellen in the Henry Mountains with the uplift of the Waterpocket Fold viewed from the east side of Capitol Reef National Park – Utah. Maybe you had to be there, but this is my favorite photo of 2022. I’ve really embraced using my Canon RF 100-500mm lens for a lot of non-wildlife landscape pictures. The compression and scale and distance it can cover, especially in places like Utah’s canyon and mountain country, brings a great perspective to the scenery. I love the drive on the east side of Capitol Reef. The Notom-Bullfrog/Burr Trail roads offer some of the best photography opportunities I’ve encountered. This particular day I had wind, sleet, snow, rain and a bit of sunshine. The light was pretty good at this stop. I’m always intrigued by these Henry Mountains when I see them in the distance. The Moki Dugway in southeastern Utah. A little steep, a touch terrifying, but well worth the effort. The Big Crane – Butler Wash/Comb Ridge. Half the fun was getting there. I had an adventure finding this one. I didn’t have a map or gps, and almost gave up after a few failed side trips. I’m glad I found it. One of my favorite trip memories and photos. Ancient Puebloan dwellings in golden canyon light. I was fortunate to visit some special places and ruins on this trip. Good light and photo conditions didn’t hurt! Cedar Mesa – UtahSpring thaw and rains gave us rushing, raging rivers last spring. This was early May along the Superior Hiking Trail. Waving curtains of light in Superior National Forest. This was a beautiful July night of aurora in the woods. It was the calmest of summer days. I made a lot of cards out of this one. It makes a good print too 🙂 Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center. Schroeder, MN Pre-dawn light and color on the beach in Schroeder, MN.
It was a fun, fulfilling year of picture taking for me. I hope you enjoyed the little recap of my landscape and night sky photos. If you missed it, take a look back at my favorite wildlife moments of the past year in a previous post. Have a Happy New Year and thanks for following along. See you in 2023. ❄️🌲
With the year coming to a close, I thought I’d put my favorite wildlife moments of the year together in no particular order. It was a good year. A handful of Canada lynx, lots of spring and fall moose with a few from summer mixed in. I saw a lot of red fox, including a few “cross fox” color morphs. It was also a fun year of birding with a few unique encounters. Here’s a collection of wildlife pictures from the past year.
Red fox in summer cover in Superior National Forest A beautiful bull moose with velvet covered antlers enjoys some summer swamp vegetation. Minnesota 🌲A pair of Canada lynx prowling the back roads of the forest in Northeastern Minnesota 🌲A common loon in the Temperance River dead waters. Spring 2022.A porcupine feasting in the tree tops of Superior National Forest. I rarely see these critters, so getting a few photos was a treat this year. A black throated blue warbler in Tofte, Minnesota. This one was a happy surprise right in my own yard last spring.Scarlett tanager on the edge of the BWCA in Superior National Forest.Red headed woodpecker – Tofte, Minnesota One of my absolute favorites from this year. This beautiful bull on a frosty fall morning gave me many fine silhouettes. The largest bull moose I encountered this fall was a truly magnificent animal. Superior National Forest – Minnesota 🌲Frosty the bull moose. Our first frost of the season and a big bull in a logged area of the forest. A young little “cross fox” kit checks me out from a roadside. This is a color variation of the red fox. Around 25 percent of red fox get this cross color variation. I ran into a little family of red fox numerous times over the summer. It was fun to catch these two in a moment 😍Spruce grouse with tail flash. The spruce grouse has a strut and dance that often ends with this brief, spectacular tail flash. It only lasts a fraction of a second, so you’ve got to be quick on the shutter.
A little video of the dance and tail flash Spring morning fog and smoke on the water. I think this scene speaks for itself.
Breakfast with a group of bull moose It’s always a treat to catch a bull moose in summer velvet antlers. The velvet contains vessels that “feed” the antlers. Their antlers can grow up to 3/4 of an inch per day! Golden morning light and a beauty bull moose. This one is the cover of my 2023 Minnesota North Shore calendar. You can click the photo for calendar ordering link. Thanks for all the orders this year 😊I just loved this encounter. This big bull almost disappeared into the swamp. He’s actually standing up in this photo in a wallow in the swamp grass. Definitely in my top 5 favorites from 2022. Mama moose overlooking the landscape as her young feeds in the river. Superior National Forest – Minnesota 🌲A recent Canada lynx encounter led to many fun photos. This one will probably make the 2024 calendars! Until next time…
Thank you all for taking a look and following along this year. I appreciate all of the support. The wildlife opportunities in Superior National Forest and the surrounding areas are second to none. It was a wonderful year of wild encounters. I’ll do a post in the coming weeks with my favorite landscape/Lake Superior/northern lights pictures. Be sure to subscribe here to be notified when I post. 🎁🎅🎄❤️
The rising moon over Lake Superior is one of, if not the best sights The Lake has to offer. I always try to catch the rising moon over Superior when it is full or near full. While it is spectacular after it has risen high in the sky, shining it’s path on the water of The Lake, it’s the moments it first appears that really grab me. The moon will take on deep orange, red and yellow colors due to atmospheric distortion. It will also distort and waver as we view it through many layers of Earth’s atmosphere. When the moon is high in the sky, we aren’t viewing it through near as many layers as when it is low on the horizon, so it glows a steady white/yellow and the shape is clearly defined. When photographing or viewing from shore level, we are looking at an angle through a lot more atmosphere, so the light of the moon is “filtered” through the atmosphere. I use a phone app called The Photographers Ephemeris to calculate where and when the moon will rise from wherever I am. I use a tripod and a remote shutter release when photographing the moon. This is a series of photos from the recent Full Snow Moon rising from Tofte, Minnesota on the shore of Lake Superior.
The first moment the moon appears on the Lake Superior horizon Ice on Lake Superior and the rising Full Snow Moon in the background…The rising full moon forming an “Omega Mirage” as it crests the horizon through atmospheric distortion. The Omega Mirage is named so because of the similar appearance to the letter of the Greek alphabet with the same name.
The moment before separation…The rising moon and a mirage of a second moon as the full moon rises over Lake Superior. Still viewing through many atmospheric layers, the moon has a distorted shape and filtered, deep color. Full Snow Moon – February 2019 The moon begins to show reflection on the water and ice after it rises high enough in the sky. The moonlight won’t reflect off the water in the first moments of moon rise. It must be higher in the sky before that happens. Moonlight reflections on Lake Superior ice both near, and far on the horizon.
This November, 2016 video shows the moon rising in real time with atmospheric distortion.
And here is a bit of video from the recent February Full Snow Moon
February Wildlife
February has been a fun month for wildlife, too! The moose have been elusive, but I have had numerous other notable encounters and sightings. Pine marten and lynx have been actively controlling our snowshoe hare population. I have observed a lot of tracks from the marten and lynx. The common denominator has been the presence of snowshoe hare tracks. I think the marten and lynx have been eating well this winter.
An American pine marten sizes me up. They are a fierce little predator. Don’t let the friendly appearance fool you! The marten will hunt for hare, squirrel, mice, birds and anything else it can catch up to in the winter months. FRESH tracks from a Canada Lynx in Superior National Forest. So fresh, I was able to find it! A gorgeous wildcat, the Canada lynx, eyeing me up through the woods. Spruce grouse covey up in a tree. This is three of eleven that were together in one tree. Winter coveys of the spruce grouse can be common in my area.Male spruce grouse – February 2019 Female spruce grouse – February 2019
And don’t forget the deer. A nice group at Temperance River State Park this month.
Lake Superior Ice
The ice has been fantastic this year on Lake Superior. Though never completely safe, the ice can be fun to explore. Here are a few photos from recent weeks.
Big Lake ice piles. Enjoying the sunset view from Temperance River State ParkSnow and ice pile on Lake Superior.
Visitor at Father Baraga’s Cross – Schroeder, MN Oh, deer!! Little one comes a running…
High stepping through the snow. Fun with Lake Superior Ice plates. The blues on a sunny day on Lake SuperiorSub-zero sea smoke and ice on The LakeFrozen cove at 20 degrees BELOW zero – cold and beautiful Superior. Morning arrival at the Sawbill Checkpoint on the John Beargrease Trail Tending to the dogs at a John Beargrease checkpointRounding the bend and crossing the Sawbill Trail – John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon 2019Praising the team after a long run through Superior National ForestRest stop…The Sawbill CheckpointBrown Thrasher is spending the winter here in Tofte, MNBlue Jay on a frigid January morningTrestle Inn – a pit stop in the woods for snowmobiles A touch of January aurora borealis in Superior National Forest
Fall is a great time in the Northwoods. This has been a busy and rewarding season for photography and exploring the woods. Most of my explorations and photography have shifted inland this year. I have not been visiting The Lake for sunrise as often as I am most often into the woods by sunrise time. This has been great for fall colors and moose alike. Don’t worry Lake Lovers! I will likely return more often now to Lake Superior as winter approaches and takes hold. Lake Superior photographs well in winter 🙂 This will be a three-part post highlighting my three favorite things to photograph, all of which happened to happen in the past few months. Fall colors, the northern lights, and the majestic, Minnesota moose.
This year it seems that our fall color season was long, but not as “spectacular” as past years. In my observation, color started early in some spots and finished late in others. This never gave us a really great “peak color” time as the forest was changing at different rates, often in pockets. I still had some great photography days chasing fall color…
Early color along the Honeymoon Trail. Sept. 23, 2015
Foggy, misty morning along the Honeymoon Trail. Sept. 2015
Six Hundred Road looking beautiful every fall. A fall favorite and fall classic back road drive.
Forest Scene near Tofte, MN.
October and nearly the end of fall color. This was a great scene as the leaves were floating on 8-10 feet of crystal clear Lake Superior water.
If you are an aurora chaser, or one whom enjoys pursuing the northern lights in the night sky, this has been a good fall. The Great Lakes Aurora Hunters Gathering also took place in October. We are on the downslope of the peak of a “solar maximum”. Much like our seasons, the Sun has cycles. The Sun goes in 11 year cycles with a minimum and maximum. At solar maximum, sun spots and solar flares are more prevalent. This means better chances for better aurora, more or less. The whole year has been good for northern lights, in my opinion. Things have slowed down here in late October, but early fall was great for night sky fun…
One of the best, although brief, displays of the northern lights that I have witnessed. This was early September and it was a wild sight for about 25 minutes. One to remember. 9/8/2015 near Schroeder, MN
The Schroeder dock and Lake Superior – September 2015.
October lights along the Temperance River outside Tofte, MN.
Another view of the Temperance River reflecting a light aurora glow from above. October, 2015
October was also the annual Great Lakes Aurora Hunters Gathering in Two Harbors, MN. 200 people from 10 states and two countries got together for three days of fun. Fantastic speakers and meals all weekend. The northern lights were not cooperating, so steel wool spinning was the evening’s activity at Gooseberry State Park. This is Jamie Rabold of Willowmaker Images spinning steel wool.
Matt Rohlader spinning steel wool at the annual Great Lakes Aurora Hunters Gathering.
Double spin…
Happy Halloween! Carved up the pumpkin from my mother on a nice, starry, aurora filled night. October, 2015
The International Space Station often becomes visible in the night sky for a few days in a row. I use this site to predict the times. It is always spot on! http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/ ISS and northern lights – October, 2015
And let me tell you about the moose! 🙂 It’s been an exciting couple months when it comes to moosing. Fall brings all kinds of wildlife activity to Superior National Forest and surrounding woods. Everyone is preparing for the coming winter in various ways and it seems that the chances of fun, unique wildlife encounters are more common. In addition to many moose encounters I have seen pine marten, spruce and ruffed grouse, ducks of all kinds, deer, eagles, a northern shrike out hunting in a field, and many more thrilling sightings. The moose have been my main quarry this fall. I have run into 8-10 different bull moose, likely 4 different cows and a couple with calves. There is a cow with a GPS collar that I have not been able to photograph but have seen a couple of times. The moose numbers are declining in NE Minnesota and there are some “research moose” in the area. (I pictured one below that I saw in Grand Portage) These collared moose have GPS units that can track the animals habits throughout the seasons. Important data is collected about seasonal habits and movements and the animals range. They can also alert researchers if an animal dies. This can be important so the researchers can get to the body asap to determine the cause of death. It will be interesting to see the next count. A January 2015 count showed the population at 3450 animals. In 2011 the survey showed around 4900 moose and back in 2006 the count showed nearly 9000 animals. I have heard many theory on the subject and have not formulated my own conclusion but am following closely.
Collared moose – Grand Portage, MN
I have had the good fortune of following another big group of moose this fall. It is rivaling last fall for quality encounters. I have filmed a lot of video over the past two months and I am working on a project to compile video clips and still images into a nice, short video featuring these moose. I will keep you posted on that.
Here is a sample of the massive moose I have seen starting with a unique looking bull from Labor Day weekend and taking us through November 1st…
BWCA Bull Moose I spent the better part of a HOT Labor Day Sunday out in a canoe in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The fishing was slow that day but this big bull moose swimming in the lake made up for it.
Nothing like a dip in the lake on a hot afternoon. Labor Day Weekend – BWCA Bull Moose
One of the younger moose. He makes up for it in spirit and spunk. This one was prodding the larger bull on another occasion.
A frosty little beauty…
Cow moose. She had a bull off to the left that I could see. I did not know she also had a calf at her feet. It would later stand up, revealing itself when I got home and saw the photos on screen.
Bull, cow and calf. The calf is well hidden even after standing up. Can you see it? These three were together on multiple mornings.
Field of Cows – Two cow moose snacking in the late afternoon sun. October 2015
Another scene from an early morning wildlife cruise. Two eagles sparring over the high tree. There was a nearby bear carcass the two were feeding on.
I call this one Number Two. While a massive animal, he is a bit smaller than Hoss. He also seems to know his place around the bigger one. Smart animals in this post-rut group. We watched the sunrise together a few times this fall…
One of the smaller bull moose scenting, or just amazed that he can see his breath on this cold October morning…
Bully and Number Two Bully is the scrappy, smaller guy. Never afraid to test the limits of his elders…
Number Two likes to bask his face in the morning sun on these frosty mornings. I have watched him and the bigger bull do this a couple of mornings. Once, the group of four had their backs to me as they all raised their heads to the morning sun coming up over the trees.
Number Two watching over a cow. Her calf is nearby, too.
Four Bull Morning – the group on a frosty October morning. I was able to watch this gang interact for almost two hours. Once they ambled off out of range, I left them. I try not to spook the moose. If possible, I photograph them and leave them calm, grazing, like I found them. I hate to see them running or in a panic because of me and that rarely happens. Watching your step and walking slowly around them is key.
Mother and Child – Cow and calf with frost at first light.
Big Hoss. I have been fortunate with this moose. I have been running into him a lot and have logged a few hours watching him. Lots of video and photos of him with the group and alone. He is a sight to behold, especially in the near dark, early morning hours. I have caught him in photographable light, too.
Hoss watching over a cow and calf.
Another one of the locals. I don’t see this one as often but he sure is a beauty. He had a cow and calf with him for a couple of mornings, but now seems to be gone. I wonder if Big Hoss pushed him out and took over the cow and calf?? The bulls can be solitary animals, so they may be breaking up for winter already. They will often stay grouped up into winter, though.
These next photos are from yet another encounter with Big Hoss. November 1st in the light rain.
Outstanding in his field… 😉
He’s even outstanding in his swamp!
Great Profile – Great Rack
Hold it right there… November Bull
We may have a month or more of fall left here on The Shore, but there have been days that feel like we are turning the corner towards winter. Before long, the tracks I see will be in the snow, not mud. The animals will be stark against a white backdrop, if they aren’t hibernating or burrowed in. The woods will be quiet except for the wind in the pines. unless they are muffled by a fresh blanket of snow… The ever changing seasons in The North. Winter is coming. 11/2/2015 *edited 11/5
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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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 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!
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.
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! 🙂
Thomas J. Spence Images 