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.

The Land Of Ice And Snow

This is the top portion of the Vermillion Falls in Hastings, which lies next to the Hastings Flour Mill. I've been here many times during the warmer months of the year, but have never made a winter stop here. I had my chance this past week and it was quite a site to see. I'll post more photos during this coming week from this location. It surely is quite a difference with the top layer frozen over. There is water flowing underneath the ice. In some areas, the ice was thin enough to see the water flowing behind it. It was quite a site to see.

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.

Icy Mississippi River

I've posted a couple other views of the Hastings Bridge from this vantage point in the past: October 26, 2006 and December 7, 2006 Both photos had been taken in the fall season. I made a return visit this week to the Hasting Bridge and the frozen Mississippi River. It was really a quiet place to be in the dead sound that winter can cause. The top layer of water was frozen, not a sound of water flowing. It may look like sturdy layer of ice, but with the moving waters underneath, you would be a fool to venture out onto the ice.

Driving Range Snakes

One always has to watch themselves on the driving range in Minnesota for snakes during the winter months. One never knows when a reptile will show it's face, it's a nightmare I tell you....

Snow Birds

Yes, even in the harsh winter, birds need a place to call home. This little warming house can be found at Baker Playground in St Paul on the West Side neighborhood.

Ma Ma's Pizza

I recall the side of this building being white with a painting of the Italian gondola painted on the wall. Instead, today I see the brick a dark red with a metal cutout of a gondola painted in black with gold trim. The place looks like it's had a recent face lift, but the Ma Ma's Pizza sign still looks like the original sign that I can remember. Is the food good at Ma Ma's Pizza on Rice Street in St Paul? I have no memories of eating there, but as close as it was to my grandma's house, I had to have eaten food from there at least once as a young boy.

Skateville Roller Rink

I'm coming close to three years this coming march of posting photos to the Twin Cities Daily Photo and the biggest problem I've run into is looking through my stock of photos that I have taken. There always pops a question into my mind....have I posted this photo before or not? This is one of those photos that I swear I've posted before, but I cannot find a trace of it in the past few months of archives. It's really a strange problem to have. However, if I have not posted a photo about Skateville Family Rollerskating Center in Burnsville this will be a new location I've taken a photo of. It was in the fall of 2008 as there is grass, but now snow yet to fall and it was before I took my Seattle trip.

Night Shot Experimentation

A few weeks ago, I was being adventurous, taking some night time photos while driving....gasp! Trust me, there is very little traffic where I was for this one. You never really know what you're going to get while behind the wheel taking photos. Though, I must admit, it is MUCH easier to taking photos in a moving vehicle when you are the passenger. I did like how this one turned out while driving behind a semi, fairly straight lines, streaks of lights in many colors.

Theme Day: Best Photo Of The Year

Monthly theme day photo and for the first day of the new year the theme is my personal favorite photo of the year. The photo I've chosen is a photo I took during the evening hours on one of the coldest days of the year in the Twin Cities. The building is the Landmark Center in Downtown St Paul. The public park I am standing in with all of the lights is called Rice Park.

To view more 'Best Photos Of The Year' from other cities throughout the world, we have compiled them all into thumbnail photos, you can see them all by clicking here.