Late November visit up north, Gooseberry Falls

 We went for a short trip up north and were pleasantly surprised by some fresh snow that turned some areas into a winter wonderland. We spent most of the time at Gooseberry Falls State Park along the north shore of Lake Superior (Minnesota) . The waterfalls were mostly frozen but still had some running water. The snow covered trees added a touch of Christmas magic to the scene.

We spent the night at a friend's cabin near Finland, Minnesota and were fortunate to hear the ice singing at the nearby lake. It is a most unusual and otherworldly sound! It is only for a short period of time that one can hear these sounds so we were very lucky to be there. Once the snow covers the ice the sounds are dampened.

Enjoy these photos of an early winter arrival in the north country!

Susanne

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Lake Superior sunset at Gooseberry Falls State park

Lake Superior sunset at Gooseberry Falls State park

Morning mood at a frozen lake near Finland, MN

Morning mood at a frozen lake near Finland, MN

Ice and snow patterns in blue and yellow and white

Pine tree

At Gooseberry Falls State park

Upper Falls, At Gooseberry Falls State park

Cedar Trees near Upper Falls

Cedar Trees near Upper Falls

Cedar Trees near Upper Falls

Bill and Shanti

Cedar Trees near Middle Falls

Cedar Trees near Middle Falls

Shanti

Lower Falls, mostly frozen

Bridge near Lower Falls

Lower Falls, mostly frozen

Lower Falls with Cedar trees

Split Rock Lighthouse and Gooseberry Falls, June 2020

On June 11, 2020 I went on a day trip to the north shore of Lake Superior with 2 friends who had never been there. The weather was amazing with cooler temperatures, blue sky, white clouds and brilliant colors. Somehow it felt like being in a different world.  

The Lupins were in bloom but it was too windy to get any good photos so I included one from an earlier year.

We spent most of the time at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. 

And on the way home we stopped at Gooseberry Falls State Park for a short visit.

I let the photos speak for themselves.

Enjoy! Susanne

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Split Rock Lighthouse with rocky shoreline  in foreground

Split Rock Lighthouse - the color of Lake Superior was incredible and the water so clear

Split Rock Lighthouse and Ellingsen Island- view from Day Hill. It is a steep hike to get up there but the view is spectacular.

Split Rock Lighthouse and Ellingsen Island - view from Day Hill - panorama

View from Day Hill towards the south-east.

The large, smooth rocks caught my attention and the wind patterns on the Lake plus the sky - a unique combination of different elements.

Split Rock Lighthouse - seen through a group of birch trees

Split Rock Lighthouse and Ellingsen Island

Split Rock Lighthouse - one more photo as we were leaving

A "Shadow Selfie" framed by trees. The clear water and the shades of blue, green, turquoise,  yellow - like a painting

Lupins in bloom along the shore of Lake Superior

Gooseberry Falls - up close

Gooseberry Falls - the bigger picture

A favorite group of Cedar trees near Upper Gooseberry Falls, with colorful reflections

Upper Gooseberry Falls, with colorful reflections - close-up

Colorful reflections in the river

A favorite group of Cedar trees near Upper Gooseberry Falls

Gooseberry Falls State Park, Spring 2020

Gooseberry Falls State Park is probably one of the most visited State Parks in Minnesota.
The area was officially designated Gooseberry Falls State Park in 1937 and is located 13 miles north east of Two Harbors, along the north shore of Lake Superior. 
For photographers it is often a challenge to get good photos due to the amount of people visiting. So I was pleasantly surprised to have the park almost to myself on this spring day in April of 2020. 
I have visited the park several times over the past years, therefore the other challenge is to find new and different compositions. 
The many Cedar trees with their exposed roots are one of my favorite subjects besides the waterfalls. I am amazed at the tenacity of these trees, hanging on the edge of rocks with barely any soil. 
It was a beautiful day, partly sunny, partly cloudy. This change in light allowed for different exposures and moods. 
Enjoy, Susanne

Click on the photo to get a larger view. 

Interested in purchasing a print? go to my website: www.soulcenteredphotography.net

Get 15% off with code Beauty2020, minimum purchase $35

Middle Falls with the Hwy 61 bridge in the background, on top

Middle Falls framed by Cedar trees, with the Hwy 61 bridge in the background, on top

A closer view of the Middle Falls, Cedar trees hanging on the edge

Close-up, Middle Falls - still patches of ice and snow left in shady areas

Rushing water

How do these Cedar trees survive??

Lower Falls, side view. Look at the roots, draping over the rocks (upper left)

Lower Falls - the big picture

Lower Falls with Cedar trees and roots, close-up. I have been wanting to get this composition for a long time and finally the conditions were just right

Lower Falls with Cedar trees and roots. I have been wanting to get this composition for a long time and finally the conditions were just right