Ice On A Stick

A nice ice formation collecting on a branch as the snow melted down.

Roadside View

one more contribution from njc from last weekends fabulous snow/fog

Lava

Is it me, or does the frozen water over the waterfall look like it could be melting or dripping candle wax?

Purple Sky

The colors for this one turned out rather odd. The sun had set, maybe 20 minutes ago. Cloudy sky, street lights on and freshly fallen snow. Exposure was only 1.6 seconds, but the photo turned out very bright for how dark it was at the time. Gotta love snow brightening everything up like it does....

Bring Your Shovel

Snow is piling up everywhere....

We've Got Snow, Yes We do, We've Got Snow, How Bout You?

So yeah, we also have some snow here in the Twin Cities. Nothing unusual like those states on the East Coast are getting right now. We're prepared for this type of weather. We have plows that move the snow off of the roads. We have trucks that spread salt on the roads to melt what the plows couldn't remove. We don't usually shut the state down during 97% of our snow storms. Blizzard conditions, yes....three day snow storms without blizzard conditions, not a chance!

That right, this current snowstorm started falling Sunday afternoon. It continued through the night, all day Monday and it's now Tuesday and yes, it is still snowing. When I made it to work Monday morning, I noticed the snow was piling up on the roof entrance to the back building. The height of snow surprised me to say the least. Later in the afternoon, I that height had grow to the top of the roof. I tried to capture a photo as you can see below, but it was snowing so hard at the time, the snow, sky, falling snow all blended in. Trust me, the snow has reached the top of the roof.

Natures Artwork

Snow, Wind, melting, wind, more wind....oh what fun nature has with blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Is Here To Stay

Blistering cold temps have set into the Twin Cities. The morning wake up weather should be around -7 F (-21 C), however, we are suppose to see a rise in temps throughout the day and should top +18 F (-7 C). The good news is, according to the calendar, we only have six more days until the first official day of winter!!

Frozen St Croix River

Though if you looked at the St Croix River today, you would see a much different free flowing water way. However a good month ago, the temps were much colder than today, the river was frozen. Frozen over enough for someone to make a path, a very long path down the heart of the icy river. I didn't get close enough to tell if the tracks in the snow were made from walking or if they were made from a snowmobile.

Park Between The Bridge

In downtown St Paul between the Robert Street bridge and the Wabasha Street bridge, there is a great stretch of land. I'm not sure of the name of the park, but it overlooks the Mississippi River and the view is, oh so fantastic.

Sliding At Baker Playground

So what do we do for entertainment in Minnesota during the colder winter months? We grab a plastic sled and cruse down a snow covered hill. Baker Playground has to be one of the largest hills in St Paul to slide down.

Which Photo Do You Prefer?

It's amazing what a difference it can be taking photos and changing the height of the camera when shooting. The photo I posted on Friday and today were taken exactly in the same spot, one shot has the camera inches off of the ground, while the other has the camera about shoulder high. The difference in perspective is incredible. Which brings me to my question, which photo do you prefer? I like today's photo because of the tree blocking the sun. Though I also like last Friday's photo because of the glare of the sun off of the snow, which is what I was trying to capture in the first place.

How To Speak Minnesotian #1

Today's Minnesotian Word: snice

snice (noun) misting rain falling on snow resulting in a glaze like surface with a surface layer of ice

After rain falls during the winter in Minnesota, you must watch your step, but you get this awesome shine on top of the snow that I attempted to capture as best as I could.

Zamboni For Hire

Shortly after I took yesterday's photo, someone from the neighborhood came walking into Baker Playground with a shovel slung over his right shoulder. I didn't stick around much longer after taking this photo, but I would imagine he was there to ice skate.

Snow Shadows

From high atop the best snow sliding hill at Baker Playground in St Paul's Westside neighborhood the trees and the low on the horizon sun cast shadows longer than a football field. As I stand there and look at the field below, in my youth growing up about a block from the playground, I can recall the field in the winter time with an ice rink laid out. Right next to the hockey rink was a very large oval for speed skating. Today I can barely make out a circle covered with snow that looks like it could be an ice rink. I'm sure budget cuts may come into play for the changes, or it's what the neighborhood has become.

How Was Your Morning Commute?

For those of you who have no morning commute, I am jealous. For those who commute in the Twin Cities Metro Area, Tuesday was a joy. My 23 mile venture to work today was a bit different after yesterday's snowfall and this mornings wake up temperature of -14 F. Only took me an extra 30 minutes, but I have a few alternate routes I can take once I am over the river bridge. The first five miles of my commute took me about 40 minutes, the last 18 miles was much quicker. After passing four cars in the ditch in the first four miles of my trip I decided to get my camera out for some photos as I was expecting more. I personally saw 13 cars in the ditch today, three of them were over turned. Most of these are poor quality shots, but I had to drive a bit more cautious today with the slippery conditions.

From the news reports, there was 360 accidents reported today. I'm guessing that number includes the spin outs and cars in the ditch too? That is a very high number, even with the snow. The sudden drop in below zero temperatures really forced people to slow down, or at least those who realized it before it was too late.

  
  

Iced Over Water Fall

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I made my first winter time visit to the Vermillion Falls in Hastings. Today I am posting the lower portion of the falls where there is an observation platform to view the falls from a couple of different vantage points. Here is the same view from the fall of 2006 with out any ice. The difference between the two seasons is massive. If you look closely at the frozen waters, you can clearly see open waters in the bottom right corner. Water is currently flowing over the falls, though you really need a semi clear patch of ice to see the movement of the falling water.

Snow Plowed Walking Paths

Those who like to walk outdoors to keep fit have plenty of walking paths to choose from in the Twin Cities. There are miles and miles of them woven around the neighborhoods. The winter months however can play a bit of a challenge to the body with the colder temps, the snow, the cold temps, the ice, the frigid cold temperatures....did I mention how cold it can get here? It should be of some comfort to you winter walkers that the walking paths are cleared of snow, keeping it somewhat safe to walk on. Granted, the ice is still a bit of an issue, so keep a keen eye out while you walk down the wintry path.

Attack Of The Snow Storm

well, we may be getting snow up here in the Twin Cities, but this photo is not from the latest round of snow. It was from an earlier storm, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to post this one. It's a snow photo, with a splash of color in there, but only a splash. Can you all think spring with me now? Someone start the chant with me "here we go spring time, here we go" "here we go spring time, here we go"....someone put that ground hog away before he sees his shadow again!

Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche: Series Tied 1 - 1

Guess Who's Back? Back Again....

Winters back, winters back, winters back....weeeeeeee! There's another movie sequel in the Twin Cities titled "Winter Strikes Back". The winter season around here in the Twin Cities has officially been renamed "The winter that wouldn't go away".

Yes, that's right, it's nearly mid April, snow is falling once again. We've had just about everything imaginable today: wind, rain, hail, ice pellets, snow, sleet, thunder, lightning. There was times where you could see rain, ice, snow, sleet all falling at once...it's been an amazing day for weather. Now here is the best part about our weather, let me get the latest high temperature forecast for the next week:

Friday: 34
Saturday: 39
Sunday: 50
Monday: 65
Tuesday: 70
Wedensday: 68
Thursday: 72

Yes, from snow to 70 degrees in a matter of days. Ya gotta love this winter, eh Minnesotans?

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One More From Hamlet Park

Another shot of the walking path in Hamlet Park. I was trying to get both sides of the path in this shot.

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It's A Madhouse

Now I'm sure you've always wondered, unless you're from the Twin Cities, what it's like to drive through a snow storm....Wonder no longer. I risked myself, with plenty of distance between the car in front of me, to take this action shot of a snow storm just for you warm climate people. Remember, I'm a professional snow storm driver....do not try this at home.

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Frozen Seats

Dear Blogger....

Please let my entry post today.

Thank You!

Ice Lake

This is the south end of the lake at Hamlet Park. This is the smaller inlet, there is a much bigger area of water the more north you walk. By looking at the water, I believe this part of the lake had warmed enough to melt. I could be wrong, perhaps just the top layer melted away. The reason I say that is the ice is clean, flat, and appears undisturbed. Plus it currently is partly frozen, I wouldn't dare walk on a small on the surface. Oh I wish I would have charged my batteries before this snow storm fell. There was so much to photograph that day.

Walk The Line

There is a great little park in Cottage Grove called Hamlet Park. There is a natural lake with an excellent walking path around the lake. The walking path starts in Hamlet Park, around the lake and back. This particular path starts from Hamlet Park.

If you've been view the photos this week, you've noticed the snow collecting on one side of objects. Today's photo is another great example of how the snow was falling. This was one great storm for photo taking.

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Weee, More Snow

More from the latest snow storm that passed through this area. Have you ever seen snow collect on an object in this manner before?

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It Was Snowing Sideways

We had a fun little snow storm pass through here at the end of last week. The temperature was right at the freezing mark, the wind was blowing east to west of all directions. The wind speed had enough gusto to give the appearance of the snow falling sideways. It was a heavy, wet snow that was clinging to anything in it's path. When I drove down Cliff Road on my way to work, I did all I could to see what color the stop light was. In reality, I had to look at what the lights on the cross streets was to decide what the color of my light was as I approached the intersection. When I made a return trip down the opposite direction on Cliff Road, the heat from the 'green' light was enough to melt the snow off, but the red and yellow shows what all three of the lights looked like.

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Made In The Twin Cities

This freshly made snowman was created in the Twin Cities area of Cottage Grove on a snowy weekend in March. Wet, very heavy snowfall covered a good portion of the state of Minnesota on Friday and Saturday. We were left with snow that was a perfect blend to make snowmen. This one was made by my two kids, with a little help from dad. I post this photo to make you warm weather climate areas jealous. We can do something that you cannot do.

Tiny Daggers

Looking out my window one evening, I noticed the street light shinning through the ice cycles that were hanging from the roof of my home.

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Snowball Fight

I captured this mother and son throwing snow at each other the other day while I was in Rice Park, downtown St Paul. It was actually fun to watch them since I had my camera in hand. They gave me about three to four minutes to capture the shot I wanted. They were really having a blast with this snowball exchange and were laughing the entire time. The expression on the boys face is pure joy.

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January Is Now Known As....Jan-burrr-ary

It's officially freaking cold outside! The coldest temperatures of the season so far this winter. It's part of Minnesota winters that one just gets used too dealing with. You may not always welcome the cold temps, but there is nothing you can do to stop it. My guess right now on what you're thinking, how cold of temperatures have I ever experienced? I do recall it being -32 F when I was in my late teens, early twenties. You would walk outside into the cold air and literally any moisture in your nose would instantly freeze. It would sort of 'hurt' to breathe in that kind of air.

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Caution Thin Ice

On January 14, I posted a photo of the Mississippi River where it is very wide and the water flows fast. Today I'm posting from the same location, yet it's the channel of water south of Raspberry Island. Less water flow, the distance from shore to shore is less, thus giving the appearance of solid ice. Trust me, it's not something you'd ever want to walk on. There is still water flowing under the layer of thin ice. What I like about the photo is, since the layer of ice developed, it has not snowed on top. This leaves the surface nice and reflective for the sun and giving a neat effect for this photo.

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Near Perfection

One of the neat parts of Minnesota winters is waking up the next morning to see the trees, lightly covered with freshly fallen snow. It has to be a light fluffy snow, there has to be little wind to get this "collection" of snow on every tree branch exposed to the above elements, and it has to be cold of course. Today's photo is a contribution from SWC, thank you once again.

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Looking For Adventure

I've posted photos of Sheppard Road at various locations before as it's one of my favorite roads to drive along. It's a great shortcut between areas, it can get you to the airport, it's not traveled my many, and the views it shares as it runs along the Mississippi River can be quite a show. I am looking west up the river. The first bridge you see is the Wabasha Street Bridge, the second bridge, which is hardly visible and is way in the distance is called the High Bridge. Mitch from Daily Minneapolis Photography recently wrote about the depth of view in photos caused by an atmospheric effect. My photo today reminded me of his post.

It's pretty rare to see ice covering this stretch of the Mississippi River. It has to be mighty cold for a long period of time for the top layer to look like a sheet of ice. I did hear, by weeks end, we might be in store for one of those cold spells to hit this area.

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The Beauty Of Minnesota Winters

Not sure of which park this is, but I believe it's a park in New Brighton taken as the sun was setting from a couple of weeks ago shortly after a snow storm pass through a New Brighton park. This a contribution photo from SWC who has passed along a couple of great photos from this area of the Twin Cities.

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Change Directions

They turned part of the road in downtown St Paul into a skating rink. I was very surprised to see this when I took a walk downtown over the weekend. To my right is Land Mark Center. The brick building in straight ahead is The St Paul Hotel, straight down the sidewalk you would run into Rice Park and then the library to give the locals an idea where this is if you haven't seen it. It was a bit chaotic watch everyone skate. There were couples skating in opposite directions, people spinning in circles, people standing still just talking, and a couple kids chasing each other. I was waiting around waiting for people to crash into each other, but it never happened while I was there. If you're going to be nearby, throw your skates in the car.

  

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All That Glitters Is Gold

I took this photo back in, I believe it was the end of February, perhaps early March. Took this through one of my windows in my kitchen. I really like how this turned out with the sun shining through the clear ice with the neighborhood as the back drop. The longest icicles were roughly three and a half to four foot long from the overhang of the roof.

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Winter Storm from March 13, 2006

Here are a few photos of a recent storm that passed through here about 5 weeks ago. It was quite the storm, but for March in Minnesota, you can usually expect to get a good sized storm to finish off the winter season. I started out the day planning on going to work, but after sitting in traffic for almost two hours and moved about 300 feet, I decided I had to call in sick. These I took on my drive back to my home. This was an open field with the snow blowing across from right to left. I could hardly see the road ahead of me This photo is of the traffic I was running into. The traffic heads into downtown St Paul and from where this is taken is the first exit north of 494 on Highway 61. That's about a ten mile traffic jam into downtown. It took me a while to get off of the road and head back home as you can see in the photo on the exit ramp. This is on the other side of my drive way in my neighbors yard. In their back yard. Looking down my driveway. This one is awesome how the snow collected.