Beautiful scenes like this have been created heavy snows in North Central United States. It takes heartier souls to get up to these areas to capture the beautiful scenery. -Photo by Mary Beth Engler
Door County Winter Wonderland
Heavy snows in Northern Wisconsin have created a “Winter Wonderland” this winter. My wife kept showing me dramatic photos from Minocqua and Door County hinting that she would like to visit the area. We discussed it with a friend who had to drive up to Baileys Harbor and, within a few days, the two were off on an adventure. Here is one of her photos of Door County’s North Bay. -Photo by Mary Beth Engler
Park Benches
The winter of 2019 has been particularly snowy giving St. Louisans beautiful vistas and icy roads. These benches overlook Forest Park’s Grand Basin and in the upper right hand corner of the photo you can see people sledding on Forest Park’s famous Art Hill. Any time of year, this is a popular place.
Forest Park Bridge
If you explore around Forest Park in St. Louis you will find this scenic suspension bridge just east of the Grand Basin. This was a very cold morning after a light snow in St. Louis. The fresh snow made for some great photographs..
Nathan Frank Bandstand
It snowed last night so I thought I would go to Forest Park this morning to take a few photos. The Nathan Frank Bandstand in front of the Municipal Opera is always a good subject and this morning it looked great!
This is a three shot HDR photo edited in Lightroom and Aurora. Not much had to be adjusted and this is pretty much the way it looked in person.
Horseman
The family that runs Herbst Farms generously allow the Three Creek Basset hunting group to use their land twice a year. Everyone goes all out for an afternoon of chasing rabbits. The event usually requires 12 to 18 Basset Hounds to track the varmints. Since the hounds are off leash a group of people including this gentleman are required to keep an eye on everything to make sure no one goes astray.
Chalet 21
One of Missouri’s great wineries is Chaumette in St. Genevieve. On the grounds they have cabins or “Chalets” where you can spend the night. When we go there we like Chalet 21 where you can sit out on the deck and watch the sunset or sunrise in addition to a stunning view of the area.
This is a three shot HDR photo processed in Lightroom and Photomatix. Click here for more information on HDR photography
Veni, Vidi, Vici
When visiting Bellefontaine Cemetery I always have to stop by an pay my respects to Adolphus Busch, the co-founder of Anheuser-Busch Brewery and the manufacturer of one of my favorite beverages. Even better, our families have been friends for several generations so when when visiting a member of the family, a bottle of bud was always “on the house.” Members of the family always received about 10 free cases of Budweiser a week regardless of where they lived.
This is a 3 shot HDR photo processed in Lightroom. This cemetery is a must for Photographers and open to the public.
Veni, Vidi, Vici is engraved above the door of Adolphus Busch’s Mausoleum, the subject of this photo. It means: I Came, I Saw, I Conquered.
Winter Sunset
Along with snow, rain and ice, the Midwest winter has treated us to some fantastic sunsets. This is out near Farmington, Missouri where we were out with the Bassets which gives us a good reason to get outside and enjoy the countryside.
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle, our national emblem, is an easily recognizable and spectacular bird. It has a dark brown body and wings and a white head and tail. Its legs and feet are bright yellow, as is its large, hooked bill. Its piercing eyes are light yellow. Females are larger than males, weigh from 10-14 pounds, and have a 6½- to 7-foot wingspan. Males usually weigh from 8-10 pounds and have a 6- to 6½-foot wingspan. Juveniles (one-year old birds) and sub-adults (birds up to four years of age) are brown, with varying degrees of white mottling below. Young eagles do not reach full adult plumage until they are 4-6 years old. Bald Eagles may live up to 40 years.
During the winter the Bald Eagle can be found along the Mississippi River in Missouri and during the summer you find them in Vilas and Onida Counties in Northern Wisconsin. This bird was photographed on the grounds of The Point Hotel & Resort on Lake Minocqua. There are so many of these birds in this area that 172 nests have been counted in Vilas County and 154 nests in Onida County. This may be the best place in the country to see the magnificent birds.
Great Rivers Imaging 