Ideas for places to visit in the Midwest
As a Basset Hound enthusiast I like to spend time with people that share my interest. This group of hounds are bred for tracking and compete nationally, showing off their skills. My wife and I will spend a number of fall and winter Sundays watching them perform at various locations around St. Louis and St. Charles counties. They love what they do and their master (shown in this photo).
While visiting some friends on North Bay on the Door County peninsula, I went out early to get some sunrise photos over this beautiful area. Afterwards, a few of us would go out in kayaks to explore the area. Being a neophyte to kayaks I declined to take any electronic devices with me so I took this before heading out.
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Door-County/i-tsK59Pq/A
The upper Midwest can provide some of the most spectacular fall colors and scenic drives. This is a road along Star Lake headed towards Boulder Junction, Wisconsin, an area that includes Manitowish Waters and Minocqua, an island town. Spending a few days here in early October is well worth the trip!
Wilson’s Ice Cream shop is an iconic business in the town of Ephraim, Wisconsin. It is interesting to photographers because of it’s bright colors, historic look and the angle it sits on the road. As you walk along the road, it takes on a different look. Be sure to see the photo in full screen.
While heading out for some sightseeing with a friend, I notice this beautiful yacht go by. I suggested we go out into some very rough water to photograph the sailboat and the friend agreed. This is the is the result taken from a very bouncy platform! (1/500 sec; 105mm; ISO 320; f9)
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Door-County/i-wdw5573/A
A shallow area on Lake Michigan allows these reeds to grow around this dock, giving a nice effect for this early morning shot.This is one of the many scenic areas in Door County, Wisconsin. A photographer should plan to spend several days to get a number of nice shots.
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Door-County/i-jb7CkSK/A
A trip to Door County required a visit to a new lighthouse. Eagle Bluff Light is on the the Green Bay side of Door County. These place can be difficult to photograph because of all of the visitors and tours. A little patience will pay off.
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Door-County/i-jVfs8q3/A
7000 “Flags of Valor” cover Art Hill in St. Louis’ Forest Park. These flags commemorate 9/11 in 2016 and honor fallen soldiers fighting terrorism. I spent an hour one evening taking photos of the site from various angles. Here is on facing the St. Louis Art Museum with the sun setting in the background.
I have never been to Faust Park in St. Louis County so a few days ago I packed up the dogs and headed that way. The park is famous for its “Butterfly House” where they keep various species of the insect. They also have walking trails in the back. After walking on one trail for about a half mile we found this old house. As it turned out this was Frederick Bates’ home. Bates was the second governor of Missouri.
Here is a front shot of the home, a three shot HDR processed in Lightroom and Photmatix.
One of my dogs thought she was home:
The “castle” at Ha Ha Tonka state park sits on top of a high bluff. Looking in one direction you see the burned out mansion, turn around and this is your view. This is a photo taken at sunset in order to get the nice lighting you see on the trees.
Great Rivers Imaging 