Thank you to everyone who shared their photos in this year’s contest! We had a total of 230 photographs shared during the contest. Combined, they highlight the incredible beauty and diversity of life and experiences that await us when we visit these special places. We are grateful to everyone who participated.
STATE PARKS:
Bear Head Lake | Banning | Cascade River | Cuyuna Lakes | Father Hennepin | George H. Crosby Manitou | Gooseberry Falls | Grand Portage | Franz Jevne | Jay Cooke | Judge CR Magney | Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine | McCarthy Beach | Mille Lacs Kathio | Moose Lake | Savanna Portage | Scenic | Schoolcraft | Split Rock Lighthouse | St. Croix | Temperance River | Tettegouche
STATE TRAILS:
Cuyuna Lakes | Gitchi Gami | Willard Munger
Where within the park was the photo taken?
This photo was taken from the bridge on the road that goes from the visitor center to the campground.
What is your connection to this place?
Tettegouche is a park where I have camped many nights and hiked many miles. I came to the park last fall to camp and devote my time to photography.
When did you take the photo, and what were the conditions, e.g., how would you describe the weather, the sounds, or the activity around you at the time?
The photo location is in plain view for every visitor at the park. What made this photo exceptional was arriving at this spot before sunrise and then standing quietly, waiting and watching the light unfold. I was the only one present that fall morning.
What was involved in setting up this photo, e.g., was it a spontaneous shot or carefully planned?
Choosing this viewpoint was planned. It is one I have long admired. Timing my visit so that fall colors were present was also planned. However, the richly textured and colored sky was pure luck. I use a tripod for shots like this. It allows me to compose the photo and then take multiple shots, each one capturing a different moment. The light changes continually, so each click of the shutter yields a different picture.
Is there a message or story that this photo is telling?
When Earth, Sea and Sky come together and each brings their best, the result is a sublime work of art that humans can only hope to experience. I feel lucky to have been in the right place and at the right time to have received this gift. The opportunity to capture the moment and share it with others is why I am a photographer.
STATE PARKS:
Afton | Beaver Creek Valley | Carley | Forestville/Mystery Cave | Fort Snelling | Frontenac | Great River Bluffs | Interstate | John A Latsch | Lake Louise | Lake Maria | Minnesota Valley | Myre Big Island | Nerstrand Big Woods | Rice Lake | Sakatha Lake | Whitewater | Wild River | William O’Brien
STATE TRAILS:
Blazing Star | Brown’s Creek | Gateway | Goodhue Pioneer | Great River Ridge | Douglas | Mill Towns | Harmony-Preston Valley | Root River | Shooting Star
I visit Wild River State Park quite often having worked in the park from 1986 to 2000. Every visit entails driving down to the scenic St Croix river access and walking toward the bridge over Spring Creek where otter, beaver, and many songbirds have been observed over the years-especially Common Yellowthroats.
Just after dawn in early July I observed this male flying to a number of different perches and waited patiently near one that seemed to frame this bird especially nice. While I enjoy photographing all wildlife, birds have a special appeal listening to their calls/songs and then capturing them with a Canon R5 and 15-600mm lens.
STATE PARKS:
Big Stone Lake | Blue Mounds | Camden | Flandrau | Fort Ridgley | Glacial Lakes | Greenleaf Lake | Kilen Woods | Lac qui Parle | Lake Shetek | Minneopa | Monson Lake | Sibley | Split Rock Creek
STATE TRAILS:
Casey Jones | Glacial Lakes | Sakatah Singing Hills
Where within the park was the photo taken?
What is your connection to this place?
I grew up in southwestern Minnesota. I was back in the area for an event and took the opportunity to photograph Blue Mounds.
When did you take the photo, and what were the conditions?
This photo was taken at sunrise. It was a calm summer morning on the prairie with the addition of clouds for interest.
What was involved in setting up this photo?
I wanted to include the beautiful quartzite rocks that are unique to this area of Minnesota, as well as the prairie grass and wildflowers. I took my time to wait for the perfect sunburst to enhance the landscape.
Is there a message or story that this photo is telling?
Sharing my love for the native prairie, clouds and open spaces of this park while bringing a sense of calm to the viewer.
STATE PARKS:
Big Bog | Buffalo River | Charles A. Lindbergh | Crow Wing | Garden Island | Glendalough | Hayes Lake | Itasca | Lake Bemidji | Lake Bronson | Lake Carlos | La Salle Lake | Maplewood | Old Mill | Red River | Scenic | Schoolcraft | Zippel Bay
STATE TRAILS:
Central Lakes | Heartland | Paul Bunyan
This photo was taken along a lookout on Moose Ridge Trail at Hayes Lake State Park, a trail on the south side of the park and just across from the swimming beach. At the time, the autumn foliage perfectly framed the lake. Living only an hour away, I try to hike this park especially around fall time. I took this photo September 16, 2023. The yellow colors are typically vibrant and the first to appear at the park around this time of the year.
