Soul Centered Photography: December 2020

The year 2020 is coming to an end and most of us will remember it as the year of the Covid 19 pandemic, lockdowns, hardships, unrest, elections ... you name it! Strangely enough, it has been one of my best years ever! The pandemic didn't affect me very much as I live like a "hermit" anyways and I cherish solitude. Of course I was glad for the internet and Zoom to connect with friends and family.

I was also able to go on many photo shoots, mostly in northern Wisconsin and the Lake Superior area. I did visit a friend in the Driftless Area in southern Wisconsin to capture the fall colors but 2 days before I arrived a windstorm came through and knocked off most of the leaves. I hope to return next year.

All this resulted in a huge library of photos that I had available to choose the Best of 2020 - not an easy task. Instead of trying to limit myself to just 10 or 12 photos I picked my favorites which I am sharing here in chronological order. I also made a video but it is too large to post on this blog.

Here is the link to the video: https://youtu.be/oC3Usg8u-0k

Many of these images I already shared in previous blogs but I hope you will enjoy seeing them again.

Click on the photos for a larger view. And thanks for viewing.

Enjoy and a Happy New Year, Susanne

A very magical winter day at Copper Falls State park, Wisconsin, in January. Can you see the heart in the sky? https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2020/01/copper-falls-state-park-january-2020.html

Another magical winter day at Amnicon Falls State park, Wisconsin, in January

Sunlight in a tall stand of Pine trees, at Amnicon Falls State park, Wisconsin

Winter morning with hoar frost, Wisconsin, in February

A visit to Split Rock Lighthouse State park along the north shore of Lake Superior, Minnesota. To my surprise there was little snow and ice. Early February.

"Blue Hour" or dusk at the Chippewa Flowage, Wisconsin. Mid February

A very cold morning (below 0 F) at the Chippewa River - creating hoar frost and fog or "smoke " rising up from the water. End of February, Wisconsin https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2020/02/frost-smoke-at-chippewa-river.html

A glorious sunset at the Chippewa Flowage, in early March. Wisconsin

A glorious sunset at the Chippewa Flowage, in early March. Wisconsin. This photo is published in the Our Wisconsin magazine (Dec/Jan 2021 issue)

Lost Creek Falls, near Cornucopia, Wisconsin. In mid March, I remember the first lockdown just started and I needed to get out in nature. This photo is published in the Our Wisconsin magazine (Dec/Jan 2021 issue)

Another incredible sunset with reflections at the Chippewa Flowage, in April. It was a warm evening with loons and other birds singing. https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2020/04/april-full-pink-moon-2020.html

April Full Moon with reflections at the Chippewa Flowage. It was a warm evening with loons and other birds singing. https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2020/04/april-full-pink-moon-2020.html

At Gooseberry Falls State Park in Minnesota. I have been wanting to take this particular photo of the lower falls with the Cedar trees and roots for a very long time. On that day in mid April it finally all came together. My favorite photo of 2020.

A very windy evening with rain, snow and sunshine - a typical April day in Wisconsin!

An early spring forest with soft greens and yellows and reds - along the North Country Trail (Juniper Rock overview) in northern Wisconsin, mid May

A favorite creek in the Blue Hills, end of May, Wisconsin

The Strawberry full moon (early June) had a warm glow to it. At the Chippewa Flowage, Wisconsin

I went to Lupin heaven in the Bayfield area, Wisconsin , mid June https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2020/06/in-lupin-heaven.html

The Milky Way arching across a little island, Lake Superior north shore, Minnesota. The bright planet is Jupiter with Saturn. To the very left Mars is rising. It was a starry night!! End of June.

For my birthday in July I went on a kayak trip to the Sea Caves near Cornucopia, Wisconsin. Lake Superior was a bit choppy but I managed to get a few photos and this is one of them. https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2020/07/kayak-trip-to-sea-caves-lake-superior.html

While kayaking on Audie Lake (in the Blue Hills, Wisconsin) I was hoping to see some loons. It was the first time I brought my 70-200mm lens with me, really not long enough to get some great shots.
But I was excited to see this pair swimming towards each other. It was a sweet and tender moment and I wrote a separate blog about it (in July). https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2020/07/loon-watching-at-audie-lake.html

On the same kayak trip with the loons I captured this moment when the setting sun lit up this small island/bog.

And then came Comet Neowise - one of the highlights of 2020. This photo was taken at 3:37am at the Chippewa Flowage. For more read the blog: https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2020/07/comet-neowise.html

Sweet colors of dawn, northern Wisconsin. Mid July

One more photo of Comet Neowise - one of the highlights of 2020. Photobombed by a Firefly! For more read the blog: https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2020/07/comet-neowise.html

Yet another brilliant sunset at the Chippewa Flowage, Wisconsin. I did go there a lot this year!! End of July

The view opposite of the sunset, at the Chippewa Flowage, Wisconsin. End of July.

On a trip to southern Wisconsin I came by a field of sunflowers (near Nelson, WI)
https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2020/08/perrot-state-park-wisconsin.html

On another night adventure I saw this church , St. Francis of Assisi, and had to try an image with the Milky Way. Mid August. https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2020/08/stargazing-summer-2020.html