Frozen Photography
I spent Thanksgiving weekend isolating at Lutsen Resort with their buy 2 nights get 1 free "Gales of November" special. Surprisingly, no gales occurred! Nice and calm and a balmy 43 degrees on both Saturday and Sunday, dropping to 17 on Monday.

Given the nice weather, I was able to get out, about, and explore different places. I used the Cook County Waterfall Guide and a starting point. The guide shows about 15 waterfalls between Schroeder to Grand Portage. I tried to go for the ones that were farther away from the Lake Superior coast in the hopes there would be less people there. And there were many less people!

Cascade State Park has a few waterfalls and was very croweded. I went to the one called "Hidden Falls." A spur of the Superior Hiking Trail runs towards the lake along the Cascade river and into the park from the backside. I parked just off country road 45 as directed by the waterfall guide.

Not knowing how far it was, I set off downstream. Huge cedar trees ran up and down the trail. Hidden Falls is really a long, cascading run of water with a 4 or 5 foot drop at the end. Super pretty with the cedar trees along the path. I expect will be easier to get to in the summer without the ice on the rocks and with some waterproof boots!

A few images:

1) Cedar trees with sun and rain
2) Cedar tree grove
3) Hidden Falls

-b-

I love Key West.  I try to go at least once a year for a couple weeks.  The island's photographic topics are many and varied; from island huts, ruins, above ground cemeteries, beaches, sunsets, and animals.  I usually stay on Ramrod Key and drive into the city.  The islands in between have birds, a toppled bat house, even a freshwater alligator or two. 

 The last time I got back just at the beginning of March and barely escaped the COVID lockdown.  COVID has really done a number on my travel schedule, but thankfully no one has been seriously sick.  A week later Key West closed down and other people I know who were there had to leave early.

Higgs Beach pier is where the seagull picture on the right was made.  10 stop filter blurred the water and the seagulls some.  I learned in September how to remove a horizon line so the clouds and horizon are blended together. 

-b- 11/11/2020