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.