Barkie Birkie Skijor, Febr. 20. 2020

It was a very cold (-8F) but sunny morning when the Barkie Birkie event took place in Hayward, Wisconsin. It is one of several races leading up to the American Birkebeiner crosscountry ski race that will take place on Saturday, 2.22. 2020.
What a fun event to watch. The dogs were certainly the stars of the day!! And there were all sizes and breeds. At times it seemed like total chaos at the start and finish line. But the many volunteers had everything under control!!
There were 2 waves - the 5 km for the experts and the 3 km for the novices.
Both start and finish were on the Main Street. 
A good description about the event from the American Birkebeiner website:

This event is a great opportunity for skiers and spectators to enjoy the sport of Skijoring and for the dogs to show off their “Barkie Fever”!
Skijoring combines cross country skiing with dog power. The skier is attached to his/her dog with a belt and towline. The dog then runs ahead as the skier skis. Skijoring is a team sport which allows both human and canine counterparts to exercise and enjoy the great outdoors.

Skijoring is derived from the Norwegian word skikjøring meaning ski driving. The sport has been around for hundreds of years and originally started using reindeer and wooden skis. The sport also uses horses, but dogs are now the most common animal used in skijoring.

Most medium size dogs (30 pounds and up) who are trained properly can be candidates for skijoring.


Enjoy the photos and many expressions of this fun morning.
Susanne

Click on the photo for a larger view.

Waiting for their turn

A good start

Skiers and dogs from the first wave returning to the finish 

Right before the finish line this pooch decided to lay down

Welcoming back 

A happy pair

Lots of media recording the event. The dogs were the stars!

Waiting for the start of the second wave

This dog got a pep talk from one of the many volunteers

Still waiting 

Finally - off we go

One of the smallest dogs

Count down 

Some dogs got confused and needed help to go in the right direction

Ready to go!

It was cold - in spite of the sun

Parading down on Main street!! 

Full "Snow Moon" Photo Shoot

Full "Snow Moon" Photo Shoot

A full moon is always a highly anticipated event for a landscape photographer. There are 13 full moons in 2020 . Typically I have 2-3 opportunities per year to get out and capture either a moon rise or moon set. Either the weather isn't cooperating or I am at work.

This February 9 "Snow Moon" was a beauty and for a change we had clear skies!! 

I had been to an Art Crawl in Eau Claire (Wisconsin) and as I was leaving on Saturday evening (Febr. 8) I saw the most gorgeous moon rising but I had no camera with me. 

On Sunday I was at work plus we had a snowstorm but the sun came out and clear sky in the evening.

My plan was to go out Monday morning to capture the setting moon. My alarm  went off at 5:15am - I did not want to get up. My mind said: I am tired, it's too cold (-15F), I want to sleep in... My feline companions never let me sleep in and make it very clear when it's time to feed them!! 

After a cup of coffee I was ready to leave around 6:30am. Then comes the most agonizing part - where to go?? I live in a wooded area and only know of a few places with a decent view within a 20 miles radius. I would like to go to at least 5 spots - all at the same time!! I only have a window of about 45 minutes. The weather report mentioned something about freezing fog therefore I decided to head down to the Chippewa river to check if there was frost. The roads were slippery, some haven't been plowed and I have to pace myself. Watching for deer - I know most of their "highways" in my area, so I slow down and look. 

Before I reached the river I stopped close to a farm - but where to park the car? On the same day last year I pulled over on the side of the road not realizing that it was all icy underneath the snow. I could not get out on my own and after 2 hrs trying with helpful neighbors I had to call the tow truck. With that in mind I carefully pulled over.

I love the soft pinks and blues before sunrise. The moon was still pretty high in the sky.

My hands were getting cold while taking the first photos. I remembered I brought hand warmers but the package wouldn't open. I found scissors in the car, but cut into one of the little packs and the black powder ran out. Oh, so much fun!?!

I found nothing too spectacular at the river. So I turned around thinking about another location to capture the sunrise and setting moon. But I ran out of time. As I was driving I reminded myself to breathe and just to relax. I live in such a beautiful area! 

I never made it to where I wanted to go but it didn't matter. I soaked up the warmth of the sun,  looked around seeing all the sparkles in the snow and on the trees. Life is beautiful!

The first photo was taken around 6:50am and the last photo around 7:40am. The mood and light changes dramatically within such a short time.

I hope you enjoyed the little glimpse into my photography adventure.
Click on the photos for a larger view.

Susanne 

A promising sunrise - view towards the east

Last year on February 10 - the tow truck had to pull me out as I parked on the side of the road and was sliding into the ditch

My favorite colors - soft pink and blue sky in the west. Photo was taken about 25 minutes before the sunrise

The setting full moon still high in the sky. View towards the Blue Hills (west)

When I saw this scene with the deer tracks and snow covered spruce trees lit up by the sun - I had to stop.
Photo taken about 20 minutes past sunrise

My focus was so much on the moon that I almost forgot to turn around to see this scene filled with warmth and golden light.

Goldenrod sparkling in the sunlight

Amnicon Falls State Park, January 21, 2020

A delightful winter day at Amnicon Falls State Park

After my recent visit to Copper Falls State Park (see my previous blog) I thought it was time to go to Amnicon Falls State Park in north west Wisconsin. As it turned out I had never been there in the winter! How did I miss out on that? When I arrived after a 2 hrs drive I realized I had left my camera battery in the charger at home!! Ooops, now what? Luckily I carry a spare battery with me but it was only half charged and with cold temperatures batteries don't last as long. Nothing I could do about, so I was hoping for the best. It was a perfect winter day with sunshine, blue sky and a few clouds. Walking along the river in a snow covered forest was the highlight of my visit - it is a healing experience for me and so rejuvenating!

I was grateful for the time I was able to spent there and the photos I got while the battery lasted! Click on the photos for a larger view.

Enjoy, Susanne

Here is a description of the park I found online: 

"Amnicon Falls State Park features a series of delightful waterfalls and rapids along the Amnicon River. You can view them from a covered foot bridge or trails along the river, or—if you're sure-footed—from the rocky shore of the river. The park is a place to picnic, camp, walk in the woods, and learn about the Douglas Fault, the geological formation that created the falls.

Derived from the Ojibway words "where fish spawn", the Amnicon River is one of the major streams on the south shore of Lake Superior.Today, it is still an important spawning river for fish from the world's largest fresh water lake."

The classical view of the Horton Bridge and the Lower Falls, almost frozen

A close-up view of the Horton bridge

The snow covered railings caught my interest here. Upper Falls in the distance.

A view towards the Upper Falls from inside the bridge.

The Upper Falls; view from bridge

A different view of the Upper Falls

A magical moment amongst tall pine trees

Along the Amnicon River

On the trail amongst snow covered trees 

Big White Pines along the Amnicon River

The Horton Bridge - view from the other side, standing above the Upper Falls

"

Copper Falls State Park, January 2020

 A magical winter day at Copper Falls State Park, Mellen, Wisconsin

Copper Falls State Park in northern Wisconsin is by far my favorite park and I have visited it many times. My recent visit on a snowy January day was one of my best experiences. I left in the morning on a beautiful sunny day with blue sky to drive to Ashland, Wisconsin. About half way (near Cable to be precise) I ended up driving in a snowstorm. I did not recall the weather report calling for a snowstorm?? But then around Lake Superior things can change quickly. On my way home I had planned to visit Copper Falls State Park (near Mellen) but did not know what to expect. As it turned out the park was right at the edge of that storm. It was mostly cloudy but once in a while the sun would peek through and surprise me with some magical moments. I only met 4 people on snow shoes during my 2 hrs stay so I felt I had the whole place to myself. And I thoroughly enjoyed the solitude!!

Follow me along on my hike through the park: 
(click on the photos to get a larger view)

One of those surprise moments of sunlight as I started my hike on a small snow shoe packed trail

Copper Falls seen from "the backside"

The confluence of the Bad River and Tyler Fork river

Two favorite Cedar trees along the Tyler Fork river with an interesting "Ice Cave"

A bit of sunshine peeking through the trees along the Tyler Fork river

Along the Tyler Fork river

The Cascades, Tyler Fork river - half frozen

View towards the Bad River gorge

The most magical moment happened as I stood at the overlook towards the Bad River gorge - the sun came through the clouds and illuminated snow crystals that blew off the trees

The most magical moment happened as I stood at the overlook towards the Bad River gorge - the sun came through the clouds and illuminated snow crystals that blew off the trees

Copper Falls, view from "the front"

Brownstone Falls - looks like dressed for a wedding

Snowy path - I loved the snow decorating the railings