The Chippewa Flowage, spring 2020

We all have a few special places we like to visit repeatedly. One such place is the Chippewa Flowage in northern Wisconsin. I have spent countless hours either in a canoe or kayak or walking on the frozen lake in the winter time. That was mostly before I started taking photos.
Now I am going to certain locations to watch the sunset or moon rise. 
This year I have had time to go there more often than usual.
The following photos are from 2 recent evenings (April 27 & 20, 2020). 
It was windy both times so I was not able to capture any reflections but the sky was so amazing and changing every minute.
I did an earlier blog post about the April Full moon where you can see images with beautiful cloud reflections. https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2020/04/april-full-pink-moon-2020.html
As always, Enjoy and thanks for viewing. Susanne

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Following information about the Chippewa Flowage is copied from the DNR website:

The Chippewa Flowage, a 15,300-acre impoundment, is located in central Sawyer County, 15 miles east of Hayward.
First filled in 1923, the "Big Chip" was created as a means to augment downstream water flow for power generation and flood control. Dotted with approximately 200 undeveloped islands, it is Wisconsin's third-largest lake and boasts a highly irregular, wooded, and generally undeveloped 233-mile shoreline. Although Xcel Energy still owns and maintains the dam which creates the Chippewa Flowage, the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Band of Lake Superior Chippewa operates an electrical power generation facility at the dam on the Chippewa River near Winter, Wisconsin.

For decades, the Flowage has been highly regarded throughout the Midwest for its spectacular natural scenery and high-quality recreation, especially fishing. Historically, the Chippewa Flowage has been considered a premier muskellunge lake and earned the reputation as the waters that produced the world record musky. 

The Flowage offers a fishing experience generally found only on lakes farther north in Minnesota or Canada. Its seemingly endless maze of islands, points, bays, floating bogs and channels offers visitors numerous opportunities for exploration, discovery and a feeling of wildness within the northern forest landscape. Camping at one of the primitive island campsites is an opportunity not common in Wisconsin. Visitors rate the natural scenery, undeveloped "wild" character, "uncrowded" atmosphere and the fine fishing as the Flowage's outstanding attributes.

The local topography is a mosaic of rolling hills, valleys, streams, and bogs that reflect the glacial origin of the landscape. The Flowage's shorelands are generally forested with a mixture of aspen, birch, pine, northern hardwoods, and oak. Mature aspen forests predominate but in many places longer-lived hardwoods and conifers are gradually replacing them. Almost all birds and animals that are indigenous to northern Wisconsin are found within the area and include bald eagle, osprey, and loon. Wildlife viewing opportunities enhance the attractiveness of the Flowage to visitors.

Setting sun framed by branches

Budding Maple tree

Colors of dusk

Colors of dusk

It was snowing in-between sunshine and clouds

Clouds illuminated by the setting sun

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

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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

April Full Pink Moon, 2020

The Full Moon on April 7th was the second supermoon of 2020, being the biggest and brightest full moon of the year. April's full moon is also called Full Pink Moon, heralding the appearance of the "moss pink", or creeping phlox, one of the early spring flowers.  

One of the best and favorite places for me to watch the moon rise is at the Chippewa Flowage, northern Wisconsin.  It was an unusual warm day and when I arrived at my location I was greeted by a chorus of various birds and Spring Peepers (tiny frogs). Oh and the loons were especially vocal - what a welcome sound after a long winter!! It was like an explosion of life - everywhere I looked I saw ducks, geese, swans, loons etc. and several beavers were swimming amongst the cattails. 

I came for the full moon but it was the amazing clouds and their reflections that captivated my attention. Here is a sampling of an extraordinary evening in northern Wisconsin.

Enjoy! Susanne

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The setting sun disappearing behind clouds

Cloud reflections like a mirror

Setting sun amongst clouds

A beaver is crossing the water, creating a V-shaped pattern

Full moon rising

The full moon rising higher and reflecting in the calm water

Those reflections of the tree trunks caught my eye

The last picture before returning home

Lost Creek Falls, March 2020

I am writing this blog on March 19, 2020 - in the midst of the Coronavirus outbreak that has become a global pandemic. I am still trying to wrap my head around this - how is it even possible??!! But as unpleasant and frightening this is, I firmly believe there will be many positive outcomes in the long run. We have to stay calm, take a deep breath and not let take fear get hold of us! Have faith and trust and remember, we are all in this together!!

My whole life, nature has been the "best medicine" for me and I am fortunate to live somewhat remote in the middle of a forest. Two days ago we had a beautiful, sunny spring day and I went for an outing, actually to see Lake Superior but I ended up going for a walk to Lost Creek Falls, near Cornucopia, Wisconsin.

The new trailhead is just outside Cornucopia and is well marked. A 1.5 mile hike through a beautiful forest takes you to a little secluded waterfall. 

I had been there before in late summer and fall but never this early in the year, so I was not sure what to expect. Wow, I was amazed to see 2-3 ft of snow in the area but the trail was easy to walk on as it had been used all winter long.

As I got closer to the falls I could hear the sound of running water and my heart skipped with joy and excitement! And what a beautiful sight of the falls, framed with ice and icicles!

I was so focused on taking photos of all different angles of the falls that I forgot everything else. I felt like being at an enchanted place and time seemed not to exist.  

I let the photos talk for themselves. I included a few from my earlier visits and one of them shows the view from behind the falls.

Enjoy, and please share so others can too. We so much need the healing power of nature right now.

Susanne

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

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

"Frost Smoke" at the Chippewa River

This winter I managed to go to the Chippewa River (northern Wisconsin) three times in below 0 F temperature. What can I say - I love rivers especially in early mornings when steam or fog is rising from the water surface. My fingers turn numb, my feet get cold, my glasses fog up and make it difficult to operate my camera. But I would not want to miss this view!!  The mood is changing quickly as the sun is rising. Some of the frost covered trees turn golden, the others in the shade remain cold and frosty looking. This creates an interesting contrast in colors and texture. And the fog or smoke keeps constantly moving. On this particular morning (February 28, 2020) the fog got thicker as the sun rose higher. 

Unless you live at the river or happen to cross the bridge early in the morning - you would never know of this beauty. It doesn't last very long. I am grateful to be able to capture these moments and hope the viewer enjoys them as much as I do.

Susanne

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