St. Louis has a beautiful downtown area. This is our Old Courthouse which was site of the first two trials of the pivotal Dred Scott case in 1847 and 1850. This photo was taken from the Arch grounds looking west.
The New Kiener Plaza
The new Kiener Plaza used the same statue as the old plaza and everything else is new. This is a gathering place for sports rallies in St. Louis, particularly the Cardinals and Blues. I think the Stanley Cup passed through here more than once.
This is a three shot HDR Photo taken about 20 minutes after sunset. It was getting pretty dark!
Bald Eagle
We are fortunate in the Midwest, particularly our Great Rivers area where the Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri rivers merge to have these beautiful birds living here. Unfortunately the best time to see them is during the very cold months of January and February. Another good place to spot these eagles is in the Wisconsin Northwoods. In fact, there are so many there, if you take a walk around one of the thousand’s of lakes there you will surely spot one or two.
The little town of Minocqua, Wisconsin is agreat place to see them since the town is actually an island on Lake Minocqua. Minocqua is on the border of Oneida County and Vilas County. Onenida has 152 Eagle nests and Vilas county has 172 nests. By comparison, surrounding counties have 32, 16, 24, 27 and 29 nests each.
I visit the Minocqua almost annually so I know where to look. To get a photo like this, I get a reservation at The Pointe Resort on the lake. Just about any time I can walk out to the back of the facility and sure enough, you will find one in the trees looking out over the lake. The best time to visit here is summer and fall!
St. Louis Union Station
Next week we will be celebrating the 4th of July. Early that morning they will clear the streets for St. Louis’ 137th Veiled Prophet Parade. Behind Union Station floats, marching bands and giant balloons are assembling for the massive annual event.
Fredrickson’s Bait Shop
Hidden on Star Lake is this little Bait Shop. Actually it is a little museum commemorating Edith and Hazel Fredrickson, two elderly sisters whom sat in their bait shop on the shore of this lake for over 70 years selling worms and minnows. These ladies were much celebrated as, year after year, hundreds upon hundreds of visitors would stop by to buy bait, chat or listen to them tell stories of what Star Lake used to be — in the old days. “The Girls” as they were called, lived their entire lives, of just under 100 years, in Star Lake. They saw Star Lake go from a booming lumber Milltown and largest town in Vilas County of the early 1900’s, to ghost town when the Milltown moved out and eventually to the remote fishing village that it remains today.
This is the second of two must have shots from Northern Wisconsin.
Sunrise on Fishtrap Lake
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Northwoods/i-PKPHH4D/A
If you drive north through central Wisconsin, the farms give way to forests and then thousands of lakes. This is Fishtrap Lake, part of the headwaters of the Mississippi River, far into the the great North Woods of Wisconsin.
This is a sportsmen’s paradise. Fish in this lake include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. Eagle watching is a favorite pastime as Vilas County hosts the largest number of Eagle nests in North America.
Road to Northport
For landscape and travel photographers there are two “must have” scenic areas to visit in Wisconsin. One is the Road to Northport (also known as the Winding Road) and the other is Fredrickson’s Bait Shop on Star Lake. This is the Windy Road which is Highway 42 at the top of the Door County peninsula just before it ends at Northport.
The road’s hills and swerves make such an interesting photo that photographers come from all over the country to get a shot. I have been there twice and each time I have found the road full of photographers waiting for a break in traffic so they can run out, set up and get the image. While waiting for the last car to disappear around the corner we share tips on how to get the best shot. This is one of those places you will have to go back to many times to get it right.
Tips: use a telephoto lens to compress the curves, avoid bright sun to eliminate shadows, do not lineup the center strips over the hump.
Morning on North Bay
A few minutes after sunrise on North Bay in Door County, Wisconsin. A great time and place to sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee. Perhaps heading out in the kayak afterwards?
This is near Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin looking out to Lake Michigan.
Baileys Harbor Range Light
School House or Lighthouse? Note the bright light in the cupola. This is one part of what is known as a Range Light. This part of the light is back in the woods and the other part is is near a harbor. When a ship wants to enter the harbor safely, the mariner lines up the lights and then heads into port safely.
This particular light is in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin. One of the many scenic lighthouses in the area.
Cana Island Light
You can visit a seaside resort in the Midwest by going to Lake Michigan and the best place to experience it is Door County in Wisconsin. The Cana Island Lighthouse shown above is near Baileys Harbor on the Lake Michigan side of the Door County peninsula. The area is full of many of these historic lighthouses and wonderful seaside villages.
Great Rivers Imaging 