The Duluth Rose Garden

There is a beautiful rose garden in Duluth that overlooks Lake Superior. I visited the rose garden recently, and got some really beautiful flower shots- you know I LOVE those! Unfortunately, this was again a day with lots of sea smoke, and as close as we were to the lake, you couldn't even see it. So, enjoy these closeup flower shots instead.

Gooseberry Falls

Today I visited Gooseberry Falls again. And I am much more pleased with how my pictures turned out. Here are a few of my favorites.

Iona's Beach

We visited Iona's Beach yesterday. It is unique because of the pinkish colored rocks that form the beach. Most rocks on beaches in this area are various shades of gray.

Sailboats

The Duluth Yacht club had a race to up the shore. I caught some of the sailboats as they were leaving this morning. The sun was bright, the lake blue, and the boats colorful.

Dragon Boat Race

Today we drove up the North Shore to Grand Marais where they were having a Dragon Boat festival, and were racing Dragon Boats. I had never seen a dragon boat race before, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but they were really fun to watch. Here are a few of my favorite pics.

Float Planes

When we were in Duluth yesterday, we drove across the lift bridge, and down the island. At the end of the island is a small airport for float planes. I was lucky enough to be there as one landed and came ashore.

Duluth Harbor

We went into Duluth yesterday and wandered around the harbor area. Here a few shots I captured.

More Flowers:)

I like taking pictures of flowers, and my mom has a lot of wonderful flowers planted in her various gardens. So, while I was home visiting my family for a birthday celebration, I took more pictures of flowers. I hope you enjoy them.

From Norway

Here are a few of my favorite shots from Norway.

This is a picture of Risor's harbor.

The view down to the fjord and harbor from the home we stayed at.

More from Italy

Here are a few more of my favorite pictures from my trip to Italy last year.

In Siena, the local families all had an animal that they were associated with. You could tell which part of the city the families lived in by the animal decorations. I thought these fish streetlights were pretty cool.


Some brand new grapes on the vine at an agritourism place we stayed. It is common for families in this region to have a few grape vines planted and to make their own wine.


This was taken on top of a hillside, looking over the Tuscan countryside. It was definitely one of those place whose beauty can not be conveyed by a picture, no matter how hard you may try.

Reminiscing

Last year, around this time, I had just recently returned from a trip to Italy and Norway. I was reminiscing about my trip recently, and thought I would share a few of my favorite pics.

This is the sunset over the sea near a town called Follonica.

The Tuscan countryside- it looked like a postcard no matter where you looked.

A small rocky stream near a town we stopped in.

Full Moon Rising

While waiting for the fireworks the other night, There was a beautiful full moon rising. Here a couple of shots.

Fireworks- My first attempt

I went out and had my first attempt at taking some photos of Fireworks. Some turned out pretty good, some- well, not so good- but I had fun trying. Here are a few of my favorites.

Raindrops and Flowers

Just a few pictures of some flowers from my mom's garden after a rain we had. Enjoy!

Happy 4th!!

Just a few shots from the "hometown" parade that I usually attend with my family. Although it was cool and rainy today, there was still the usual large crowd. Enjoy!!

Northern Wildflowers

Here are a few shots of some of the wildflowers that grow along the North Shore.

Wild Roses

Bluebells

Wild Iris

Sea Smoke

There is an interesting weather condition that occasionally occurs at the Lake. Depending on which way the wind is blowing, fog will gather on the lake, and then blow on the shoreline just around the edges of the lake. Technically, it is not "fog" as it isn't made by clouds, but rather is called sea smoke as it is created by water vapor being blown across the lake. The smoke doesn't usually drift too far inland. These are a few pictures I have of the sea smoke.

Here you can see the smoke gathering on the lake, and drifting south toward the shoreline.

Here the smoke has gathered not on the water, but in the tree line along the shore.