April 30, 2013 - Another Octagonal House

Last Saturday I came across what I thought was a unique octagonal house in Hastings, Minnesota.  Today, driving around Hudson, Wisconsin, I can across another one.  This one appears to be in much better shape!

Camera Settings

HDR	Yes *	Shutter	1/320	Filter(s)	UV	Metering	Matrix
Focal Length	25 mm	Aperture	f/9	White Balance	Auto	Flash	No
Camera Mode	Aperture Priority	ISO	100	Exposure Comp.	0	Stabilization	Handheld; VC on

* - 3 exposures -2,0,+2 EV

April 29, 2013 - Spring Budding Out All Over!

You could literally see the trees start to bud today with the nice, warm temperatures.  This was taken on the new walking path through Vadnais Lake, Vadnais Heights, Minnesota.  Unfortunately there is snow in the forecast again for the middle of the week!

Camera Settings

HDR	No	Shutter	1/320	Filter(s)	UV	Metering	Matrix
Focal Length	155 mm	Aperture	f/6	White Balance	Auto	Flash	No
Camera Mode	Aperture Priority	ISO	100	Exposure Comp.	0	Stabilization	Monopod;VC on

April 28, 2013 - Springtime Thoughts

This is what a lot of people had on their minds on this beautiful spring day!  This is the Dairy Queen on Lexington, just north of Larpenter, in Roseville, Minnesota.

Camera Settings

HDR	No	Shutter	1/320	Filter(s)	UV	Metering	Matrix
Focal Length	27 mm	Aperture	f/8	White Balance	Auto	Flash	No
Camera Mode	Aperture Priority	ISO	100	Exposure Comp.	0	Stabilization	Handheld; VC on

April 27, 2013 - Electricity is Penny Cheap

It was such a beautiful day that I had to take a road trip this morning.  I went south to Hastings and then Red Wing, Minnesota.  This photo of the old NSP power plant in Red Wing was the last photo of the morning.  It reminded me of the jingle sung during the NSP commercials back when I was growing up in Moorhead:  "Electricity is penny cheap from NSP to you!".

Camera Settings

HDR	NO	Shutter	1/320	Filter(s)	UV	Metering	Matrix
Focal Length	42 mm	Aperture	f/8	White Balance	Auto	Flash	No
Camera Mode	Aperture Priority	ISO	100	Exposure Comp.	0	Stabilization	Handheld; VC on

April 26, 2013 - Fort Snelling State Park

This is an HDR shot from Fort Snelling State Park.  I was surprised that the slough was green already.

Camera Settings

HDR	Yes *	Shutter	1/80	Filter(s)	UV	Metering	Matrix
Focal Length	25 mm	Aperture	f/10	White Balance	Auto	Flash	No
Camera Mode	Aperture Priority	ISO	100	Exposure Comp.	0	Stabilization	Handheld; VC on

* - 3 exposures -2,0,+2 EV

April 25, 2013 - A Girl, A Dog and Geese

A girl, a dog and some geese went to the beach...and I took their picture.  This was the scene at a beach on White Bear Lake this afternoon.

Camera Settings

HDR	No	Shutter	1/800	Filter(s)	UV	Metering	Matrix
Focal Length	250 mm	Aperture	f/9	White Balance	Auto	Flash	No
Camera Mode	Aperture Priority	ISO	320	Exposure Comp.	0	Stabilization	Handheld; VC on

April 24, 2013 - Coon Rapids Dam

Today I took a ride up to the Coon Rapids Dam (Coon Rapids, Minnesota), since I suspected the amount of water flowing over it would be spectacular.  I was not disappointed!  The walkway over the dam is closed for the summer - due to construction I believe - but it is possible to get very close to the dam itself.

Camera Settings

HDR	No	Shutter	1/1000	Filter(s)	UV	Metering	Matrix
Focal Length	30 mm	Aperture	f/10	White Balance	Auto	Flash	No
Camera Mode	Aperture Priority	ISO	320	Exposure Comp.	0	Stabilization	Monopod;VC on

April 23, 2013 - Melting Snow

There were so many photo opportunities this morning after last night's snowfall!  I was walking on the Stone Arch Bridge (Minneapolis, Minnesota) to take a photo of St. Anthony Falls when I noticed this chunk of snow hanging from a light fixture.  Based on the shape, I'm assuming that it was on top of the light and slid down as the sun heated it up.

Camera Settings

HDR	No	Shutter	1/500	Filter(s)	UV	Metering	Matrix
Focal Length	92 mm	Aperture	f/5.6	White Balance	Auto	Flash	No
Camera Mode	Aperture Priority	ISO	100	Exposure Comp.	0	Stabilization	Handheld; VC on

April 22, 2013 - The Six Sisters, White Bear Lake Version

If you've been to San Francisco, you're familiar with the row of colorful homes they call the Six Sisters.  Well, driving around this morning before the snow started, I found this version of the Six Sisters in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

Camera Settings

HDR	No	Shutter	1/250	Filter(s)	UV	Metering	Matrix
Focal Length	25 mm	Aperture	f/9	White Balance	Auto	Flash	No
Camera Mode	Aperture Priority	ISO	100	Exposure Comp.	0	Stabilization	Handheld; VC on