River City

Riverfront Photoshoot

A helicopter view of St. Louis as it sits on the Mississippi River. In this view are landmarks such as the Gateway Arch and historic Eads Bridge.

The city of St. Louis was founded in 1764 by French fur traders Pierre Laclède and Auguste Chouteau, and named after Louis IX of France. In 1764, following France’s defeat in the Seven Years’ War, the area was ceded to Spain and retroceded back to France in 1800. In 1803, the United States acquired the territory as part of the Louisiana Purchase. During the 19th century, St. Louis became a major port on the Mississippi River; at the time of the 1870, Census it was the fourth-largest city in the country. It separated from St. Louis County in 1877, becoming an independent city and limiting its own political boundaries. In 1904, it hosted the Louisiana Purchase Exposition and the Summer Olympics.

The original village sat where the Arch grounds are now.

A walk in Forest Park

This is an interesting intersection in St. Louis’ Forest Part where walking paths, a foot bridge and stream intersect. This time of year the flowers start to bloom making it a popular place to be.

Our dogs love to come here to explore and walk in the stream. However, crossing the swaying suspension bridge is out of the question.

7,000 Flags

7,000 flags flying over Art Hill in St. Louis; Forest Park. This is one of several flag memorials in front of the the Art Museum displayed over the past few years. These displays have memorialized those that have fallen during terror attacks or fighting terrorists.

St. Louis Skyline

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

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

Minocqua, WI

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

Minocqua, WI

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

Door County

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.