Minnesota Nature
A photographer’s guide to great locations
By Dale Bohlke
Edited by Ron Cleveland – 12-28-2010. Revised 10-1-2011 Minnesota Nature Photography club www.minnesotanature.org/
information built on the original 2004 document by Dale Bohlke with additional information submitted by RomainE Bayless, Dale Bohlke, Ron Cleveland, John La Mere, Carol Madison, John Pennoyer and other sources Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke
Foreword
This project started as a collection of notes I last looked at in 2004. It has been sitting on the shelf since then. Ron Cleveland and John Pennoyer are the photographers that took it to the next level, the level it was intended to reach. A special thank you to the others who have shared locations. Some locations have changed in the last ten years just as this photographer has changed. I encourage you to copy and complete the worksheet in the back and submit it to Ron or John so this can be a perpetual work in progress.
Many photographers are secretive about their prime locations. I have thought about this and firmly believe that the more a subject is photographed and shared the more likely it will be available for the next generation to enjoy. I firmly believe in the good side of human nature and trust you will respect the areas/subjects described in this book. No image is worth the life of another living organism.
Dale Bohlke December 2010
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke
January
The world of white continues as the year Directions: From Minneapolis, take the first begins. I like to photograph white birds and Monticello exit #195 off I-94 that brings you what better place to do this than Mississippi to County Road 75 (East Broadway). Take a Drive Park in Monticello which offers a right at thee first stoplight, go approximately cacophony of sound and more action than a ¼ mile to Mississippi Drive and turn left. three ring circus as trumpeter swans come Follow residential housing until you see a and go from their twice daily feeding. The little sliver of a park located on the right park is actually a narrow lot that has been hand side near the end of Mississippi Drive. adopted by the city for viewing the 800 or so This is where you may view the swans – or swans that winter in Monticello on the open you may head east and view from County water of the Mississippi River. The park is Road 39 East. Reminder: Please do not located on a dead end street where residents trespass on anyone’s yard. cherish the normally peaceful atmosphere Ellison Park in Monticello is my favorite that is transformed into a bustling early morning location. The birds spend the neighborhood each winter. The abundance night along the shore and swim to the of signs is the result of zealous feeding area later in the morning. If you stay photographers who disturb the birds by in your vehicle, which is much warmer than going down to the river edge. the moist river air, great shots are possible Contact Rich Thurman as they swim in the fog. [email protected] if you want to Directions: Turn right off East Broadway on buy some time on his next-door deck. It’s Dayton Street just past the hospital as you lower than the park viewing area. are heading into town. Ellison Park is Afternoon lighting is best for flight shots between East River Street and the river. when the birds come directly overhead on If you get bored with swans or are frozen their way to landing on the river. Early out, the visitor’s center at Lake Maria State morning with steam rising from the river is Park is warm and has feeders positioned for another good time to photograph the swans. the traditional nuthatches and chickadees of Late morning is best left for viewing since winter. Several winter trails have the the strong sidelight combined with the white potential for winter landscapes. birds exceeds the exposure range of film and digital sensors and you will get burned out Directions: Lake Maria S.P. is west of whites or unnaturally dark blues. Monticello on County Road 39. Download a park map from www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke February Cabin fever is setting in, time to get residents feed the birds around noon each outdoors! Since February tends to be drier day so a normal or even wide angle lens will than January (more blue sky days), winter get some good shots. A typical bird lens is at landscapes are easier to shoot and say a disadvantage as the birds are so close. In “winter” better than those gray days of addition to the usual mallards and Canada January. I like to shoot snowdrifts just about geese there are a few gadwalls and an anywhere during February. Windswept assortment of other species present. Late county roads and ditches create easy access morning after the light is over the hill or late to great abstractions. The snow takes on the afternoon are the best light times. The sky color and you can get hot pink to cool afternoon light is great for flights returning blue snow depending on the time of day you from the Blue Lake treatment plant. Blue are shooting. Remember to open up at least Lake was closed several years ago. If it ever one stop to avoid dull gray snow. If you opens to the public again it is a great winter prefer a more natural white color to the bird photography location with several snow use an 81A filter during midday light. species of ducks that get close enough for good photos. Bald Eagles congregate at Colville Park in Red Wing, in open water below the power Directions: Memorial Park is just east of the plant. These birds are very close and active. downtown on Highway 13. If you are You can get good flight shots and view coming from the east, turn right at the park fishing just by staying in the parking lot and entrance about two miles west of Valley near your car. Avoid the temptation to walk Fair. Turn left when you enter the park and a up close to the birds. Although they are small spring-fed pond is at the end of the habituated, they will fly away and besides, parking lot. who wants a shot of an eagle’s tail? There The boat landing at Hok-Si-La Municipal are nice snow patterns on the rocks at the Park and Campground on Lake Pepin is a edge of the water. The eagle shots can be good place to shoot ice ridges if you would few and far between but the wait is worth it. rather shoot landscapes. The parking lot may The eagles are at Colville Park all winter but not be plowed and you may need to go into seem most active later, especially on those town to get close to the lake. bitter cold days. The light and wind are good for all day shooting. If you need to warm up Directions: Two miles north of Lake City on or get lunch, Lilies in downtown Red Wing Highway 61. is a great coffee shop and place to get a noon Full Moon: A full moon occurs on February sandwich. The bakery across the street th 18 at 6:42PM (Twin City time). If you serves sandwiches and bakery items. have never photographed the full moon at Directions: Continue through Red Wing on Split Rock Lighthouse this is the area I Highway 61 south. Turn off Highway 61 at recommend. The moon will come right over the city park sign by the Armory. Turn right or very close to the lighthouse. The best and go under the highway to the park. The time is the evening before and the evening best viewing is at the boat landing but the of the full moon. It is generally close to best flight photography is at the end of the sunset and this gives you some additional parking area. light to work with. I guarantee I will be somewhere after the full moon, just not sure Memorial Park in Shakopee is a great place where. Remember to arrive at your to shoot habituated ducks and geese if you destination early and watch your histogram would rather shoot photos than wait for a for correct exposure. passing bald eagle in Red Wing. Local
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke etc. The most popular feeding stations are on Sax-Zim Bog: I visit this bog every winter Admiral Road. To get to this bog take probably 2 or 3 times, this is an excellent Highway 33 through Cloquet- than left on area for wintering Northern Owl, especially CR 7 and this will take you right to the bog. Northern Hawk Owls and Great Gray Owls. Or go from highway 33 to 53 and at Cotton, But as I am writing this on January 1st only MN take a left on CR 52 and this will also one or two owls are being reported. To get you there. Drive slowly, because the check reports go to the MOU web site. birds can be all along these roads also (www.moumn.org) and look under the Northern Hawk Owl s like to perch on the “Hotline Reports” tab. But there are also very tippy top of trees or power poles. feeding stations that have been set up for Lenses from the 80-400mm, 100-400mm backyard type birds. along with big glass from 500MM up all Many of the birds are species that are work good. This is also a good place to get difficult to find and photography such as out the snowshoes and do some landscape Boreal Chickadee, Gray Jay, Pine Grosbeak, photography especially sunrise or sunsets.
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke March Winter’s end is in sight. March is a have been removed and the western horizon challenge. You have been inside for months, is clean. Any pullout has potential. Since the allowing your creativity to stagnate. The winds are primarily westerly, the east or snow is starting to melt. On the other hand, northern shore is best for the ridges. The it is an excellent opportunity to photograph conditions of the year will determine the fresh snow on trees, March is one of the patterns and timing of these ridges. While months with the greatest snowfall so keep you’re in the area, check out the possibilities your gear packed and head out as soon as at Father Hennepin State Park near Isle on you can when it starts snowing. the south shore of the lake. My advice is to head to the lake. The North Reflections in melting snow puddles can be Shore of Lake Superior has great ice unique. The colors are flat, if existent at all, formations anywhere from Duluth to so concentrate on designs. If you are looking Grand Marais. Any pullout on Highway 61 for the earliest signs of spring, head to the along the shore has potential. I like the southern hills along the Mississippi River. picnic area of Cascade State Park because If you want winter to linger, head north. you can get a great sunrise or sunset with ice The Kasota Prairie in Nicollet County in the foreground. If you park here be sure offers a prairie landscape for photo you have a current state park sticker. The opportunities all year. ranger is very friendly but insistent that your vehicle has a sticker. This is a good time to organize your images and plan a summer get-away. I usually try to Many Lakes start ice breakup in March. The go to Texas or Arizona for desert northwest shoreline of Lake Mille Lacs can wildflowers during March. What can I say? I have great ice formations. The icehouses struggle to find good subjects in March.
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke April Early spring ephemerals start in southern above the ravine to the west of the creek. Minnesota with pasque flowers on the Eventually you will be rewarded with an prairie and skunk cabbage in the woodland open hillside with many pasque flowers in areas. The earliest flower to bloom is the bloom. Hillsides are great for getting low endangered snow trillium. It typically since you can get below the flowers and blooms briefly during the first week of shoot uphill. April. A good location is the wayside rest Eloise Butler Wildflower Sanctuary is part south of Mankato on Highway 22. The of Wirth Park in Minneapolis. Visit the plant grows in profusion along the edge of woodland section in April and May for the parking lot. If you find this tiny plant bloodroot, wild ginger, trillium, bluebells with a big white flower, get on your knees and trout lilies. and start shooting. Be careful kneeling because broken glass has accumulated over Bluestem Prairie is the place for wildlife the years. This is hard to shoot because of photographers to get shots of prairie the white flower will need at least one stop chickens doing their courtship dances. The exposure compensation if the frame is filled blinds are posh with padded seats and wood with the flower. Remember, you want bright walls. Two photographers can set up with white with detail, not dull gray. The plant is ease in each blind. A long lens is best since about three or four inches high so you will the birds seem to know something is amiss bury your face in the ground to look through and rarely get real close. You may see 50 or the viewfinder (or use an angle-finder 60 birds during a morning. The light is attached to the viewfinder of your camera). highly variable. Hope for a sunny day and if A beanbag or jacket works better than a you get clouds, just sit back and enjoy – tripod at this low level. your photos will be awful in the gray light. The birds are also active at dusk but they are Directions: Drive Highway 22 about five all backlit. miles south of the junction of Highways 14 and 22. Cross the LeSueur River bridge and During the day you can find pasque flowers the wayside rest is on your right before you at the parking area north of the prairie go up the hill. drumming grounds. Later in April, pasque flowers brighten the The Cannon River Wilderness Area has prairie. I associate April 15th with pasque spring ephemerals on the hillsides and flood flowers, not the tax deadline. They are a plain. You will find bellwort, marsh much more pleasant thought. Pasque flowers marigold and others. Look up to see if the are found on gravel and dry prairies where turkey vultures are circling. the soil is too poor for growing crops and Rice County has many areas for spring even marginal for grazing. One of the best wildflowers. They include Nerstrand Big locations is River Terrace Scientific and Woods State Park, Riverbend Nature Natural Area east of Cannon Falls. They Center, and Sakatah State Park. The are also at in Anoka County. county has a road map and a recreation map A good Twin Cities area is Nine Mile at www.co.rice.mn.us/maps/index.php Creek in Bloomington. In fact, local State parks in southeastern Minnesota, such photographers have dubbed this area “crocus as Whitewater, Carley, Forestville, and hill”. Beaver Creek are also popular spring Directions: Park in the parking lot west of wildflower locations as is Seven-mile the bridge on 106th Street. Walk on the trail Creek County Park north of Mankato
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke On the Wisconsin side of Lake Pepin, the first four miles of shady County Published on Sun, Apr. 16, 2006 – Road AA south of Maiden Rock (also St. Paul Pioneer Press Rustic Road 51) has an amazing
variety of plants in May. Trip Tips: Finding spring Farther down the Mississippi, near wildflowers Trempealeau, Brady's Bluff in Perrot State Park is carpeted with jeweled Here are just a few of the best shooting stars, and its shady base places to look for wildflowers. harbors many ephemerals. Minnesota scientific and natural areas (SNAs) also are very good Late-spring wildflowers: places to find unusual flowers; State parks along the St. Croix and they're described at Mississippi rivers are a good place to www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas/list.html. look for columbines, May apples, Wisconsin SNAs are described at large-flowered trillium and wild www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/sn geranium. Try Interstate and a. Frontenac in Minnesota, Wyalusing Nature Conservancy sites host many in Wisconsin and Pikes Peak in Iowa. interesting plants; call 612-331- To see a lot of trilliums, check Apple 0750 in Minnesota, 1-608-251- River County Park just north of 8140 in Wisconsin, www.nature.org. Amery, Wis., off U.S. 8 along Rustic Wildlife refuges, nature preserves Road 28. and environmental learning centers also are good places to look. In the boreal forests of the North Shore, Apostle Islands National Spring ephemerals: Lakeshore, Door County and Isle Right in Minneapolis, off Interstate Royale, look for bunchberry, 394 at Theodore Wirth Parkway and bluebead lily, Canada anemone, Glenwood Avenue, the Eloise Butler bearberry and coral root, as well as Wildflower Garden is thick with lady's-slipper. The delightful blooms in spring, and a naturalist gaywings and goldthread grow in leads regular walks; 612-370-4903, Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, www.minneapolisparks.org. in Door County. Near Northfield, the hiking trails of Prairie wildflowers: Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park are In April, River Terrace Prairie SNA, a perennial favorites; there's a loose- scientific and natural area near leaf wildflower guide in the park Cannon Falls, has so many pasque office to help novices get started. flowers it's hard to walk among North of St. Charles, Whitewater them. State Park has all the blooms and In May, the sun-drenched goat naturalists to help identify them. prairies of southeast Minnesota and Not far away, south of Plainview, sandy spots along the Wisconsin Carley State Park has masses of River have a lovely selection. Look Virginia bluebells, as does the west for pussytoes, hoary puccoon, Indian bank of the Zumbro River south of paintbrush, prairie smoke, blue- Zumbro Falls. eyed grass, wood betony and
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke jeweled and white shooting star at Park, the stemless lady's-slipper, Mound Prairie SNA near Houston, dragon's mouth orchid and grass Minn.; Great River Bluffs State Park pink can be found. near La Crescent, Minn.; and the From the end of May, thick clumps International Crane Foundation near of yellow lady's-slipper can be found Baraboo, Wis. in forests around Lake Michigan, At Blue Mounds State Park in including Mackinac Island and spots southwest Minnesota, the yellow in Door County, including flowers of prickly pear cactus appear Pottawatomi State Park near in June. Sturgeon Bay and the Clearing near Ellison Bay. Jay Cooke State Park Bog plants: near Duluth has a nice display, and Buckbean, bog rosemary and pitcher in northwest Minnesota, the plants are found along the Wildflower Route between boardwalks that cross the swales of Greenbush and Baudette displays the Ridges Sanctuary. Along the bog many showy and yellow lady's- at Lake Bemidji State Park, visitors slipper, as well as the rare ram's also find wild calla, wild iris and the head and calypso orchids. insect-eating sundew; in June, there When looking at orchids, be careful are nearly 40 varieties of flowering not to trample their roots, which can plants. inhibit flowering for years. Bog plants also are found along the Uncommon species: boardwalk at Hayes Lake State Park near Roseau, Minn.; the Dr. Roberts The dwarf trout lily is found only in Nature Trail in Itasca State Park; and Minnesota and only in three Iron Springs Bog SNA near Itasca, counties: Goodhue, Rice and Steele. which has a conifer swamp where Look for it at Nerstrand-Big Woods many unusual plants grow, including State Park and River Bend Nature ladies-tresses orchids. Itasca Center in Faribault. Wilderness SNA, in the park, has an In Door County, Wis., there are amazing selection of woodland and thousands of dwarf lake iris at bog flowers that includes ladies- Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor tresses as well as four types of bog and a few at Whitefish Dunes State orchid, striped and spotted coralroot Park. Arctic primrose and cancer and yellow and showy lady's-slipper. root also grow in Ridges Sanctuary. Orchids: The small, white lady's-slipper can Such orchids as the yellow lady's- be found at the Nature slipper and showy lady's-slipper can Conservancy's Schaefer Prairie, less be found in many boglike habitats in than an hour west of the Twin Cities the northwoods. The Ridges near Glencoe, as well as Ordway Sanctuary has 25 species of orchids, Prairie, near Glenwood. including the striped coralroot and . ram's head and pink moccasin lady's-slipper. In Lake Bemidji State
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke May The first week in May is the traditional hot good hiking trail and going from top to time for woodland flowers. Migrating birds bottom of the hillside changes the variety of are also easily seen and photographed in the flowers. Metro area, especially Wood Lake Nature The Three Rivers Park District includes Center in Richfield. twenty parks in Hennepin, Wright, Carver Spring ephemerals live up to the label and Scott counties. Most of the hardwood “ephemeral” to the nth degree. Most are at areas in the parks have good populations of peak bloom for less than a week and this wildflowers. Call a park and ask them what week of peak can vary considerably from is currently blooming. year to year based on weather conditions. It Check out Springbrook Nature Center on may take years to get the flower species you the Mississippi River in Fridley. want at peak bloom. As I get older I like to head for the hills the first part of May for Tamarack National Wildlife Refuge NE of hepatica, bloodroot, anemone and all the Detroit Lakes is good for birds and some other early woodland flowers. Why head for wildflowers, spring through fall. the hills? Hillsides have different bloom Another spring, summer and fall location is times depending on the sun exposure. You the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum off therefore have a longer peak bloom in a Highway 5 in Chaska, MN specific area. It is also easier to get low if you are on the downhill side of the plants. Chippewa Prairie is a good spot for prairie Setting up the tripod is easier than planting chickens and night-hawks. It lies along a the camera in the dirt, along with your nose, reservoir of the Upper Minnesota River for that ground level shot. named Lac qui Parle ("lake that speaks") by early French explorers. Chippewa Prairie A good place to photograph spring represents a small remnant of the once vast ephemerals is Seven Mile Creek County northern tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Huge Park between St. Peter and Mankato on numbers of migratory waterfowl use Highway 169. The creek is also a good place Chippewa Prairie; it is a vital natural area to photograph warblers and other spring link to Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge migrants as they fly and perch on he rock in and Lac qui Parle (state) Wildlife the creek. Management Area. The 1,143 acre prairie is Red Rock Dells in Cottonwood County is a between Milan and Appleton in western good place to photograph a waterfall and Minnesota. Check with the Nature geologic features in the spring and summer. Conservancy for visitation guidelines. You’ll find pelicans at the dam near the Lac Nerstrand Big Woods State Park is the qui Parle Mission eight miles northwest of traditional location for spring flowers Montevideo on County Road 13. including the rare Minnesota dwarf trout lily. While you are there don’t forget the Prairies in southeastern Minnesota offer waterfall. good subjects in early May as well as July and early August and late September. Another area to explore and photograph is the Cannon River Valley Wilderness Area north of Faribault. The steep hillside has a
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke June Black’s Grove is located on 620th Avenue four locations and flowers just waiting to be miles from the intersection of Highways 10 discovered in this rather inhospitable habitat. and 71 in Wadena. Go west on Highway 10 for The Wilderness Loop in Itasca State Park is 3.2 miles; turn left on 620th Avenue just as a good location for northern ephemerals and Highway 10 becomes four lanes. The park will small lady slippers. There is the easy way to go be on your right .8 miles from the railroad and the walking method. If you prefer to drive, tracks. enter the park from the north entrance and I heard about this county park because a local follow the signs. You will drive through a Wadena photographer uses it as a setting for diverse habitat collection and pull over weddings and senior portraits. The special whenever the mood strikes you. You will pass feature is Oak Creek that flows through the the Itasca Wilderness Scientific and Natural park with several areas of rapids. I like to Area that has a nice trail through it. I have wander along the stream using the abundant been there once and did not take any photos. deer trails to guide me. The established trail Perhaps you will have better luck. system winds through several habitats and will If you prefer to walk as I do, enter the south give you a variety of subjects from the ferns in entrance drive to the end of the two-way the flood plain, to open grasslands at the top of section of the wilderness loop at Many Lake the hill. Ephemerals in May, followed by ferns and park. Walk the road to Elk Lake and you in June make this a great spring location. The will see an abundance of photo opportunities – oaks, birch, and running water in autumn many more than while driving. produce an entirely different photographic experience. It is also a great place to spend a Gneiss Outcroppings Scientific and Natural couple hours cross-country skiing in the Area is named for the granite outcropping winter. tucked behind several old fields along the Minnesota River east of Granite Falls. It is Iron Springs Scientific and Natural Area is quite a hike to the namesake for this area but on the north side of Itasca State Park and well worth the effort. Prickly and brittle somewhat hard to find since there is only a prickly pear cactus bloom in late June at this small part of it that abuts a road. I like to go site. Cactus blooms open during midday when past the north entrance to Itasca State Park the insect pollinators have warmed up. You about two miles and turn on a gravel road will definitely be warmed up by the time you (County Road 2) on your right. Park along the reach the northwest corner of this site. Cross road and go down to the power-line road. The the small lake on its western end where a bog is on your left as you walk east. An narrow bridge crosses the outflow just below official parking area is off State Highway 200. the SNA sign on the hillside. If the area is dry Take a compass along so you know what you will not need the bridge. Be sure to take direction you are going into the bog and what plenty of water, a macro lens and a diffuser. direction you need to get out. Better yet, go in with a partner. Lupine, hoary puccoon and flax are at peak condition at Crex Meadows and elsewhere. This is a bog area with large areas of showy lady slippers and pitcher plants. Be prepared to The Eloise Butler wetland area has showy get wet, both fro the sweating in the difficult ladys slippers, native irises and cardinal walking and sinking in the sphagnum moss. flowers. Pin cushion cactus blooms in the third On the east side as you are going up a small week of June at Big Stone NWR near hill on the power-line road, there are many Ortonville, MN. stemless lady slippers. I am sure there are more
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke July July is the traditional “up north” month. The Blue Mounds State Park is on Highway 75 state parks on the North Shore are among about five miles north of Luverne of thirty the most heavily visited and photographed in miles south of Pipestone in southeastern the state. Why stay with the crowds when Minnesota. You’ll find a rock prairie, a other areas are less hectic and offer great granite bluff at an old quarry site and a small photo opportunities? herd of buffalo. The prickly pear cactus will have already bloomed in June. The first area that comes to mind is around Orr. The mornings could be spent on botany Hole-in-the-Mountain Prairie is a Nature subjects and the evening at Vince Schute Conservancy site 1.5 miles south of the city Wildlife Sanctuary. If you look at the tow of Lake Benton on U.S. Highway 75. Park at of Orr’s web site, the bog walk trail is good the turnout along the west side of the for wildflowers, including purple-fringed highway. I was there in mid July but the orchids. prairie coneflowers covering the hills might have been better the first week in July. Pack Crane Lake and the walk to Vermillion your gear for wildflower, butterfly, and Gorge are great, especially if you start in the scenic shots. dark and get to the old trading post site for sunrise. Walking back in the early morning The highlights at the Joseph A Tauer with the dew on the ferns is cool. Prairie SNA are turk’s cap lilies, rattlesnake master and wild iris. Take County Road 13 Vermillion Falls has a nice overlook and is eight miles south of New Ulm then two handicap accessible. There is another trail miles west of the junction of County Roads that I have not walked also in the area. You 13 and 22. Park on the west side of the walk through a picnic site to a beaver dam. township road. Flandrau State Park is The trail should be on a map. nearby. The Moose River loop is closer to Ely than The Cottonwood River Prairie SNA in Orr but a great sunrise and rock-covered Brown County is good all summer for shots moss area. of the prairie landscape with hills. Check the If you insist on going to the North Shore, try Minnesota DNR web site or book on Artist’s Point in Grand Marais. It is a Scientific and Natural Areas for details. good spot to spend time while your partner is visiting the local shops.
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke August Hot, windy prairie days and dark, mosquito- be easier to see. Stay low and work the infested forest make for photographic subject trying to stay 12 to 18 inches away challenges. Fortunately, the sun is rising so as not to spook it. Remember, it is a long later and those civil twilight landscapes are way to the winter home in Mexico and their getting easier to get up and on location. energy should be conserved for the trip. Butterflies are roosting on the cool nights Another good location is Roscoe Prairie and the monarch migration passes through SNA west of Cold Spring. This site seems the state later in the month, usually hitting better earlier in August when the blazing the Twin Cities during the last two weeks of stars are prime. A calm, cool morning will the month. Monarchs are fun to photograph be great for sunrise and monarchs. There is because they are easy to find. Just look for now a herd of buffalo to the east and it is the food source which is any pink flowering easy to get transported back 200 years. plant. They also spend nights on coneflowers or in low branches of shrubs There are blazing stars and lots of deer at the and trees. Fish Lake WMA south of Grantsburg, WI. Explore the area along Stolte Road and the Black Dog SNA is a good place to Dueholm Flowage. The Crex Meadows photograph them in the metro area. Park at visitor center and local establishments have Fen Park and walk the trail heading east. the Fish Lake Wildlife Area map and a map Look for the triangle resting on a tall plant. of Burnett County www.bcrca.com You may need to go out into the prairie and face the sun to see his black triangle. Once you have found one butterfly, the others will
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke September Fall color is very well covered by the You can also buy it on line at the National Minnesota tourism industry. Weekly updates Forest Store www.nationalforeststore.com. are available during the season at Grand landscapes are what catches the eye www.dnr.state.mn.us/current_conditions/ but hard to capture photographically. Look The north to south distance of Minnesota is for those isolated leaves or patterns that no more apparent than during the fall. Color scream “fall color”. starts turning early in the month along the The Superior Hiking Trail Association Canadian border and finishes along the Iowa maintains a trail along the North Shore border in late October. The trick is to get the ridgeline from Duluth to the Canadian color at its peak, no small task. Maples and border. They publish a guidebook and maps oak give the bulk of woodland color. for all sections of the trail. Consider joining Sumacs, asters, and grasses give the prairie the SHTA so you can get their quarterly its color. newsletter. An individual membership is $25 Traditionally the North Shore and the and a family membership is $35. One of the Superior National Forest are the places to more popular fall hikes is around Oberg photograph fall color. Any of the North Mountain with several views of Lake Shore state parks have potential. Weekends Superior and nearby hillsides. Guides, maps are crowded to try to plan a couple of days and clothing items are sold at their store and during the week for a quieter time. I like to office on Highway 61 in Two Harbors. go north from Tofte on the Sawbill Trail and Information about guided hikes and more is turn west on Forest Service Road 166 where on their web site: www.shta.org/ it crosses the Temperance River. Take 166 Beaver Falls County Park in Renville west to County Road 7 and turn right to County has nice fall color and a Crooked Lake and the Trestle Inn. Have a whitewater stream. fine lunch and map out a route for the afternoon. Mound Creek County Park is adjacent to Cottonwood County's Red Rock County A detailed ½” = 1-mile map of the Superior Park, and is two miles from the Jeffers National Forest is for sale ($9) at Forest Petroglyphs historic site. There is a nice Service offices, visitor centers of state parks waterfall and a lakeside prairie that offers in the area and some local establishments. photo opportunities in the spring and early autumn.
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke October Fall color in southern Minnesota peaks in Banning State Park in Pine County has fall October. The state parks of Rice Lake, color, the Kettle River, and Wolf Creek Myhre Big Woods and Nerstrand Big Falls. Big Springs Falls near Sandstone and Woods are great places if you missed the Robinson Park in Sandstone are great fall color up north. I’ve been to Wood Rill locations also. All offer possible sightings of SNA near Wayzata in mid October and deer, black bear, ruffed grouse and pileated found fantastic maple color and a pond woodpeckers. rimmed with fall color. Wolsfeld Woods Remember the places you traveled in the SNA is nearby. Early sun is best. Try for past winter, spring and fall. How would you some squirrel photos. assess the possibilities of those locations for Crex Meadows near Grantsburg, Wisconsin fall photography? There is probably a new has good photo opportunities in all seasons. place you would like to explore. Wherever it Go there in the time of the October full is, it is on someone’s list. Familiar places moon, though, and you’ll likely find a few also change from year to year and offer new MNPC members there at dawn and sunset challenges with each visit. Are you photographing sandhill cranes. There are accumulating a library and a list of resources some nice trees near Hickerson Road in the that give you a greater appreciation and nearby Fish Lake Wildlife Area that are knowledge of the natural world? There are good foreground subjects for nighttime nature stories waiting to be told with your photography. camera. Be open to the opportunities.
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke November Tundra swans along the Mississippi River Look for ponds with freshly fallen leaves are very active. One of the best places to that still retain color. Winter birds are at photograph these birds is Reick’s Lake feeders. Get out for the first snow of the Park just north of Alma, Wisconsin on season. Typically there is one snowfall Highway 35. It’s not in Minnesota but it’s before Thanksgiving in the metro area that is close enough to visit. Reick’s Lake habitat a great transition shot of late fall to winter if has been deteriorating over the years and you can find a remaining leaf or two with fewer birds are on the lake each year – a bad color. Keep you gear packed and watch the situation for the birds. The good news is that weather forecast. I like to use the remaining birds are end up closer to the www.accuweather.com for my serious viewing platform and therefore are easier to weather information. Enter a zip code and photograph. you can get local weather forecasts right down to the percentage chance of An area I once visited seems to have precipitation for each four hour time block potential for swan photography is on the during the day. The cloud cover and cloud Minnesota side of the river south of height is good information to determine Brownsville. There is a peninsula near what type of light you can expect. The wind Brown’s Island that looks good for morning speed and direction can also make or break shots. A portable bag blind that you can take flight photography, especially at Reick’s cover under and extreme patience should Lake. It’s no fun to get there and discover eventually get some good tundra swan the birds are all taking off and landing away pictures. from you.. If you do not have patience and want some Color is hard to find so I like pastel shades quick wildlife shots, get back to the of prairie color in the morning with frost on Wisconsin side of the river. Goose Island is the plants. Good, thin gloves are a must as south of LaCrosse and contains a habituated are extra batteries. deer herd. They can come very close so any normal lens, and a good eye, will give you a good composition.
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke December The world of white! Snow and ice patterns your back to get a good catch light. Don’t be can be found almost anywhere starting in surprised if a deer walks up to the feeder your home. Subjects to photograph in the area while you are photographing. comfort of your home include frost on the Their web site is: windows and the chickadees, juncos, www.stlouispark.org/parks-rec/westwood- woodpeckers, blue jays and cardinals at your hills-nature-center.html feeders. There are many such nature centers in the Most nature centers feed regularly. A good Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metro area. Get to spot to sit out of the elements while know the ones near you. photographing birds is Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park Occasional Walk out on any lake with icehouses on it owls can be photographed in the trees and look down. Side lighting will accentuate behind the visitor center and deer are these patterns. The color of the sky will abundant in the park. A walk around thee affect the color of the ice so early or late will lake may give you an interesting shot of give the ice a warmer color. Avoid areas of snow on cattails or trees. Be sure to ask aeration. permission to be out by the feeders. Stand or Each of these has a common photographic sit under the feeder to get shots of the birds challenge. Unless you override your perched on the trees before landing on the camera’s metering system, the result will be feeders. a muddy gray color, not the brilliant white Stay lower than the feeders or the birds may you see. Compensate by opening up at least land on you. A 300mm to 400mm lens will one stop, perhaps as much as two stops to give good results with patience. Most of the retain the white in the scene. How do you do morning is in shadow so the afternoon light this? Read the camera manual. is best. Position yourself so the light is at
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke Resources
Minnesota Nature Photography Club http://www.minnesotanature.org
Periodical Outdoor Photographer Magazine - http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/
Location Web Sites Anoka County Parks - http://www.anokacountyparks.com/ Carlos Avery WMA, Forest Lake, MN - http://www.stateparks.com/carlos_avery.html Crex Meadows, Grantsburg, WI - http://www.rbnc.org/ Desert Wildflowers - http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/FieldGuide/fieldguide.html Google Earth - http://www.google.com/earth/index.html MN DNR Current Conditions - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/current_conditions/index.html Minnesota Landscape Arboretum - http://www.arboretum.umn.edu Minnesota State Parks - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/index.html Minnesota SNAs - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas/index.html Minnesota Tourism - http://exploreminnesota.com/index.aspx Monticello Swans - http://www.monticellochamber.com/ River Bend Nature Center, Faribault, MN - http://www.rbnc.org/ Sunrise and Sunset Data - http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications Superior Hiking Trail Association - http://www.shta.org/ The Nature Conservancy - http://www.nature.org Three Rivers Park District - http://www.threeriversparks.org/ Topographic Maps - http://www.trails.com/maps.aspx Weather Information - http://www.accuweather.com/ Wisconsin State Parks - http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/LAND/parks/
Area Guidebooks A Guide to Minnesota’s Scientific and Natural Areas, MN DNR A Guide to Nature Conservancy’s Preserves in Minnesota Guide to the Superior Hiking Trail Guide to Spring Wildflower Areas, Minnesota Native Plant Society Gentle Hikes – Minnesota’s most scenic North Shore hikes under 3 miles Hudson’s Twin Cities Street Atlas Minnesota Atlas and Gazetteer, DeLorme Traveler’s Guide to Wildlife in Minnesota, MN DNR Wild and Beautiful: Native Wildflowers of SE Minnesota ©1996, 800-828-1231, $3.95
Wildflower Guidebooks Northland Wildflowers, John B Moyle & Evelyn W. Moyle, U of M Press North Woods Wildflowers, Doug M. Ladd, Falcon Press Orchids of Minnesota, Welby R Smith, MN DNR What’s Doin’ the Bloomin’? Clayton and Michelle Oslund, Plant Pics, Duluth, MN Wildflowers of the Northern Great Plains, Vance, Jowsey, McLean, U of M Press Wildflowers and Weeds, Courtenay & Zimmerman, Simon & Schuster
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke
Bird Guidebooks The Sibley Guide to Birds, National Audubon Society (and other NAS guidebooks) Birds of Prey Minnesota (and other guidebooks by Stan Tekiela)
Photographic Technique Craig and Nadine Blacklock – Photographing Wildflowers, Voyager Press Gary Braasch – Photographing the Patterns of Nature, Crown Publishing, 1999 Tim Fitzharris – The Sierra Club Guide to Close-up Photography, Sierra Club Books Tim Fitzharris – National Audubon Society Guide to Landscape Photography Tim Fitzharris – Virtual Wilderness – The Nature Photographer’s Guide to Computer Imaging, Amphoto Books Mark Gardener and Art Wolfe – Photography Outdoors, 2nd Edition, The Mountaineers Books Martha Hill and Art Wolfe – the Art of Photographing Nature, Three Rivers Press Ferrell McCullough – Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Digital Photography, Lark Books Arthur Morris – The Art of Bird Photography, Amphoto Books Galen Rowell – Galen Rowell’s Inner Game of Outdoor Photography, W. W. Norton & Co. John Shaw – John Shaw’s Closeups in Nature, Amphoto John Shaw – John Shaw’s Landscape Photography, Amphoto John Shaw – John Shaw’s Nature Photography Field Guide, Amphoto
Gear Sources Local Stores National Camera and Video http://www.natcam.com/ West Photo http://www.westphoto.com/
Mail Order Adorama http://www.adorama.com Amazon http://www.amazon.com/ B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ Camera bag reviews http://www.cambags.com/ Hunts http://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/ Kirk Enterprises http://www.kirkphoto.com/ New Egg http://www.newegg.com/ Really Right Stuff http://reallyrightstuff.com
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke Nature Photography Suggestions by Dale Bohlke
Close Up Wildflowers Wildlife Landscape
Light morning or morning or Quality diffuse diffuse evening light evening light
Quantity bright bright brighter low light
Color warm warm or cool warm, sunny warm
off camera flash, Direction side or front front or back front front, side
Camera
f stop f8 or higher f16 or f22 f 5.6 or lower f22
as fast as light shutter speed slow slow slow allows match with highest higher to stop ISO low as possible low ISO action personal choice: daylight or daylight or White Balance cloudy, if overcast cloudy? cloudy cloudy
Lens Macro or close up Standard lens, at least 400 mm wide angle, filter, extension tube Macro, close up filter focal length standard focal on standard lens length
Photographer level or slightly above Location ground level vehicle or blind knee level subject
Season all spring, summer spring, fall any
hour after hour before Time of day anytime midday sunrise or before sunrise or sunset after sunset
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke
Impressions of Nature http://www.impressionsofnature.net/ By John Pennoyer
10 Natural Light Tips
1. The ability to recognize “light” will change the impact of your photography. 2. The lower the sun is in the sky, the warmer the light is. 3. Light overcast days provide the best light for many types of photography. 4. Use graduated neutral density filters (1-2-3 stop) to bring bright areas in balance with the darker areas. 5. When shooting silhouettes, the subject should define itself. 6. Be creative. Use side-lighting and back lighting for dramatic imagery. 7. For harsh lighting on botanical subjects, use a diffuser to even the light. 8. When shooting into the sun, reduce flare by filtering sun with an object such as tree branches. 9. For dark areas on a botanical subject, use a reflector to add light. 10. A soft and darker background will generally enhance a botanical subject.
10 Exposure Tips
1. It makes no difference if a photographer is using the camera’s reflective meter or an incident meter. All exposure meters will meter for a neutral tone. 2. Meter for the most important part of the image to show detail. 3. Set the camera’s exposure value to change in 1/3-stop increments. 4. Lighter than neutral subjects will require over-exposure. (+EV) 5. Darker than neutral subjects will require under-exposure. (-EV) 6. Generally speaking, over-exposed whites (light areas) are harder on the eyes than under-exposed blacks (darker areas). 7. Think of aperture to control depth of field. 8. Think of shutter speed to control or stop movement. 9. The more the subject fills the frame, the more critical depth-of-field becomes. 10. Have an exposure mind set! a. What am I metering? b. How will the film or digital sensor expose for a particular tone? c. What tone do I want to show?
THE BEST WAY TO LEARN EXPOSURE IS TO – 1. SHOOT 2. RECORD 3. STUDY
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke Exposure Values (Brightness Levels)
Shutter Speeds in seconds at various ISOs ƒ-Stops (Aperture) 800 400 200 100 1.0 1.4 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 22 32
4 8 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 15 30
2 4 8 15 -4Too - 3Dark -2 to- 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Auto Focus. 1 2 4 8 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1/2 1 2 4 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1/4 1/2 1 2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1/8 1/4 1/2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1/15 1/8 1/4 1/2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
1/30 1/15 1/8 1/4 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1/60 1/30 1/15 1/8 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
1/125 1/60 1/30 1/15 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
1/250 1/125 1/60 1/30 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
1/500 1/250 1/125 1/60 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
1/1000 1/500 1/250 1/125 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
1/2000 1/1000 1/500 1/250 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
1/4000 1/2000 1/1000 1/500 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
1/8000 1/4000 1/2000 1/1000 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Brighter Than Usually1/16000 Beyond1/8000 1/4000 1/2000 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Normally18 19 20Found 21 Camera Limit 1/32000 1/16000 1/8000 1/4000 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 in19 Nature 20 21 22
Check your camera manual for the EV range it will auto-focus and its shutter speed range. For example: EV=1, distant view of lighted skyline. EV=4, candle-lit close-ups and flood- lit buildings. EV=7, bottom of rainforest canopy. EV=10, just after sunset. EV=13, cloudy bright with no shadows. EV=16, light sand or snow in full or slightly hazy sunlight.
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])
Photographing Minnesota A Nature Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota by Dale Bohlke Location Worksheet
Location Name: Date Visited: Source: DeLorme Ref: page#______grid______Hudson’e Ref: page#______grid______
AM/PM: Weather:______Seasonal timing:______Best Time?______
Nearest main road:______Nearest town:______Directions:
Parking______Trails:______Facilities______Ownership______Contact Person:______Phone #______Hours?______Fee?______Food?______Toilet?______
General Description:
Highlights:
Other Seasons:
Also Nearby:
Next time:
Please send any updates for the above locations or information about other nature photo locations to John ([email protected]) or Ron ([email protected])