A swampy gal

from flickr user Shotbox
Someone has a sense of humor. When I first found this photo taken in Akeley, MN, I thought that - based on the thumbnail - there was some crazy hippie-woman on a floatie in an algae-covered swamp. Thankfully it was just a creatively placed mannequin on an improvised floating chaise lounge. And as an added bonus, a turtle has found the creation a comfortable place to rest.

Beached

from flickr user DigitalObserver
Art in any form is subjective. Plenty of people will look at this photo and say "Wow, a boat" in a tone that drips with sarcasm. Others will stop and analyze the detail of the photo. They'll notice how the subject of the photo was framed. They'll pay particular attention to the use of light in the photo. I first noticed this photo because the boat's shadows blend in seamlessly with the dark water while the top of the boat when photographed is blown out with the bright sunlight striking it. It all works to make a damn nice photo.

Every Whch Way

from flickr user MadArtistPhoto
The interchange of I-35W and I-94 in Minneapolis. My experiences have always been that it never seems this intimidating but I've never seem it from this particular perspective.

Swinging in the clouds

from flickr user MississyLee
This photo is just too cool. It seems as if the little girl is actually swinging up in to the clouds.

The truck that time forgot

from flickr user djsime
A well-used shed, attached to a barn, is the home of this old Ford truck. Can anyone out there nail down the yar of the truck and confirm that it is a Ford? I'm guessing it is somewhere in the 1960s.

Ewwwwwwww

from flickr user Photojournals
This candid photo, taken on Lake Minnetonka, captures how many women truly react to their husband's fishing hobby.

Whew!

Hopefully at least a few people out there were able to stomach this weeklong showcase of photos predating the existence of MinnPics. I loved digging through literally tens of thousands of photos from the past five or so years to choose the 32 showcased in the past week. Now it's back to present times here at MinnPics. Enjoy!

35W collapse

from flickr user spiderleggreen
View of collapsed bridge and rescue operations. This is the view that wasn't all over the national news. This is where Twin Cities area police and first responders were staged as they searched teh Mississippi River for survivors and wreckage in the hours and days following the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis.
Taken on August 1, 2007


Thanks for those of you who stuck around through this week-long recap of sorts of the world of Minnesota photos predating the existence of MinnPics. It's been one year since the launch and I hope people stick around for the adventure known as the second year. If you missed anything, scroll down or click back and view the dozens of photos featured in this sort of best of the best from pre-MinnPics days.

Minneapolis is a winter wonderland

from flickr user chuckumentary
A fresh snowfall illuminates the city from what appears to be a rooftop perspective. It almost makes winter in Minnesota tolerable.
Taken on March 3, 2007

Shelf cloud

from flickr user MOEVIEW is Aaron Molina
Shelf cloud over Duluth, MN 5/14/2007

Crop Balance

from flickr user lookin glass
I love intense colors. I'm assuming that the vibrant blues and greens were captured with the help of a polarizer filter but whatever the case, this photo makes Minnesota's countryside look very much alive during the summer months.

Summer view

from flickr user -Chad Johnson
Going through the archives I found this photo taken this past summer at Oxbow Park.

Byron, MN
Taken on July 15, 2007

Golden showers

from flickr user lookin glass
A damp but golden early spring morning that almost makes me look forward to that time of year again.
Taken on March 21, 2007

Misty Lane

from flickr user lookin glass
The title says it all. A misty, golden morning sets a soothing tone and while it's great to look at, it's also the type of morning that makes you want to sleep in.
Taken on March 21, 2007

Rail Road Bridge over St. Croix River

from flickr user Jim's outside photos
I was looking for an opening in the trees for a shot at around this angle and could only find this little hole.
Taken on October 8, 2006

Boats + Lightning

from flickr user ottergoose
Lightning crossing the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Looking down the St. Croix River towards the I-94 bridge from Hudson, WI
Taken on May 31, 2008

A morning run in the kayak

from flickr user Jim's outside photos
Superior National Forest near Ely Minnesota
Taken on May 24, 2008

You went missing...

from flickr user lookin glass
An eerily foggy evening with a huge, low-lying full moon illuminating a tranquil park setting. It looks like the cover of a romance novel.
Taken on March 23, 2007

Purple Dawn

from flickr user Chris Andersen Photography
A beautiful late December dawning over the Mississippi River and downtown Minneapolis.
Taken on January 1, 2008

Go Figure

from flickr user Jim's outside photos
In my two visits to Duluth and the must-see area of Canal Park, I've always wondered what, exactly, this concrete structure is that sits not far off shore. The calm waters make this setting that much more surreal.
Taken on December 10, 2006

Drip, drip, drip

from flickr user cursedthing
A perfect capture of a reflection on a drop of water. This is what macro photography done at a high speed is all about.
Taken on May 20, 2007

The Tower

from flickr user y entonces
Prospect Park, Minneapolis.

I was shooting this water tower when all of a sudden the clouds started blowing away and the moon appeared.

Unicorn watering hole

from flickr user Steve took it
A different angle from a favorite falls in the Boundary Waters/Quetico wilderness park along the border of Minnesota and Ontario, Canada.
Taken on October 12, 2006

I hope you're enjoying the photo phlood during the first birthday week of MinnPics. Keep checking back through the remainder of the week for more stunning, best of the best photos that predate MinnPics' existence.

Forest trail

from flickr user Jim's outside photos
This photo has the appearance of a damp, overcast, early-autumn day but only due to the thinning canopy of leaves. This kind of day when you have to throw on a jacket but when you venture out into the sun it's going to feel simply perfect. A great day for a hike through a forest of golden trees.
Taken on October 1, 2006

Moon over Minnesota

from flickr user Steve took it
Night view from one of my favorite campsites on Lake Agnes, in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Taken on July 18, 2006

Alone at Dawn

from flickr user HelenJr
I went down to the lake, early and alone, to see the sun rise. But I wasn't alone. The ducks and geese, the cardinals and chickadees joined me to celebrate a beautiful dawn.
Taken on April 15, 2006

Wow, day three already?

If you don't know what this is, you've landed in the middle of the glorious First Birthday celebration of MinnPics. This week showcases the best of the best of what Minnesota photographers have taken in the days predating MinnPics. Check back hourly throughout the week for more greatness.

Rainy Morning

from flickr user y entonces
At the corner of Grand and Victoria in St. Paul.
Taken on April 30, 2006

Downtown Minneapolis

from flickr user y entonces
The lights of the downtown Minneapolis skyline reflected in Lake Calhoun.

Bombastic

from flickr user y entonces
The conclusion of a very good fireworks show on the Mississippi River, part of the opening day events for the new Guthrie Theater.
Taken through a window from inside the theater.
Taken on June 25, 2006

Fairly fairy

from flickr user spleenboy
Twig the fairy, a fixture at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, has to be the most photographed character during the recent years of the late-summer fixture. I've featured other photos of her in the past year but this one is amazing. The look of awe and her huge eyes just add to the vibrant colors and spectacular detail of the photo. Click the photo's link for the photographer's take on the photo.
Taken October 1, 2006

"Paul R. Tregurtha" at Duluth, Minnesota

from flickr user Ivan S. Abrams
(C) Photograph copyright 2009 Ivan Safyan Abrams. All rights reserved.

After a bitter cold night, we were walking near the Duluth Lift Bridge when we heard a whistle in the fog. Within moments, "Paul R. Tregurtha", the largest of the bulk carriers to operate on the US-Canada Great Lakes, slowly came into view, heading for Duluth Harbor on one of its last trips of the season. I took this photo with a Nikon F100, a terrific camera, but it was so cold (-19 F) that the camera batteries gave up in a few moments.

Travels through a snow globe

from flickr user Chris Andersen Photography
A late March snow creates magic around Lake Harriet

Birches

from flickr user HelenJr
I think autumn in Minnesota is a bit like Mardi Gras or Carnival. Such a blaze of party colors. A celebration to make us forget the long quiet winter of privation and reflection ahead of us.
Taken October 9, 2006

So, um, what is this?

Welcome! You are in the middle (first day) of the MinnPics first birthday blowout. It's going all week and it features the best of the best in Minnesota photography in the days before MinnPics. Check back almost hourly all week long and beyond that if you like the visual medium.

Right hook

from flickr user Jim's Outside Photos
A supreme photo of the breakwater lighthouse at sunrise in Duluth, Minnesota near Canal Park. Taken December 10, 2006.

Summer storm

from flickr user Chris Andersen Photography
A dramatic Summer storm forming over the Mississippi River near Minneapolis. Taken June 20, 2007.

Aqua

from flickr user y entonces
After sundown on the Mississippi River, Red Wing, Minnesota. Taken August 28, 2006.

Winter coat

from flickr user mosippy
An everyday housecat doing an impression of a wild cat in the deep Minnesota snow. Taken January 17, 2007

A Duluth 4th

from flickr user lcarlson
The city of Duluth, Minnesota would seem to be the perfect setting for a fireworks display with the lift bridge and wide expanse of water making a postcard-like picture.

If you're a fan of Minnesota and the photos capturing the essence of the state, check back here beginning at 1 PM July 7, 2009 as MinnPics celebrates its first birthday with a week-long photographic journey chronicling the days before MinnPics.

Gondola Under the Stillwater Lift Bridge

from flickr user boscbo
Plenty of Minnesotans got out and enjoyed their long July 4th weekend and this photo of a gondola skimming across the waters of the St. Croix River under the Stillwater Lift Bridge is no exception.

If you're a fan of Minnesota and the photos capturing the essence of the state, check back here beginning at 1 PM July 7, 2009 as MinnPics celebrates its first birthday with a week-long photographic journey chronicling the days before MinnPics.

Taste of Minnesota

from flickr user jsvare

A nighttime photo from the 2008 version of the Taste of Minnesota held on Harriet Island in St. Paul, MN. This year's festival is under new ownership/management which promises a better food and music selection. The 2009 Taste of Minnesota runs today thru July 5 (Sunday).

In case you were wondering, here is the music line-up:
Thursday, July 2, 2009
12:30 Throw the Fight
2:30 Quietdrive
5:00 Halestorm
6:30 Chevelle
8:00 Staind

Friday, July 3, 2009
12:30 757s
2:00 Romantics
5:00 Pop Evil
6:30 Whitesnake
8:30 Judas Priest

Saturday, July 4, 2009
12:30 Backseat Bookie Band
2:00 The Vogues
4:30 Martin Zellar & The Hardways
6:30 Kate Voegele
8:00 Elvis Costello & The Imposters

Sunday, July 5, 2009
12:30 Jason Shannon
2:00 G.B. Leighton
4:30 Lowriders Band
7:00 Adlers Appetite
8:30 Bret Michaels Rock of Love Bus Tour

There is also a musical line-up of four bands daily on the August Schell stage.

Admission to the Taste of Minnesota is $10 which gets you $10 of food coupons in return.

If you're a fan of Minnesota and the photos capturing the essence of the state, check back here beginning July 7, 2009 as MinnPics celebrates its first birthday with a week-long photographic journey chronicling the days before MinnPics.

Matching Red Owl tattoos

from flickr user massdistraction

This photo wasn't taken in the Twin Cities, but we're both from there, and these tattoos are heavy on the Midwestern nostalgia tip.

If you're a fan of Minnesota and the photos capturing the essence of the state, check back here beginning July 7, 2009 as MinnPics celebrates its first birthday with a week-long photographic journey chronicling the days before MinnPics.

Surdyk's

from flickr user Jeremiah Cunningham

This photo is both stunning and gritty. The photo has all the appearances of a back-alley while the neon Surdyk's sign says that this is very much streetside.

If you're a fan of Minnesota and the photos capturing the essence of the state, check back here beginning July 7, 2009 as MinnPics celebrates its first birthday with a week-long photographic journey chronicling the days before MinnPics.

Baby's first swing

from flickr user bsorenson

My daughter is seen here Saturday just minutes after I figured out how to adjust her new swing. I've never seen her happier.

If you're a fan of Minnesota and the photos capturing the essence of the state, check back here beginning July 7, 2009 as MinnPics celebrates its first birthday with a week-long photographic journey chronicling the days before MinnPics.

Stormy sunset

from flickr user Dan Anderson
It was stormy over downtown Minneapolis last night (Friday) and that made for an intense sky. My only suggestion with this photo is to tweak it somewhat to eliminate the blue casting on the buildings and if this is an HDR photo, don't overuse that technique. It has its place but some times it's nice to see the natural photo in all its glory.

If you're a fan of Minnesota and the photos capturing the essence of the state, check back here beginning July 7, 2009 as MinnPics celebrates its first birthday with a week-long photographic journey chronicling the days before MinnPics.

Twin Cities Pride Parade

from flickr user erlin1


from flickr user bryanbope

This weekend marked the annual Pride Parade in Minneapolis. The turnout for this is huge among all segments of the population and the photos tell the story quite well.

If you're a fan of Minnesota and the photos capturing the essence of the state, check back here beginning July 7, 2009 as MinnPics celebrates its first birthday with a week-long photographic journey chronicling the days before MinnPics.

The thrill of victory

from flickr user bsorenson
The 2009 Henderson Sauerkraut Days kraut eating champion, Norman "The Inhaler" Malecha, is from Belle Plaine, MN and was already the winner of the sauerkraut eating contest during that city's German Days celebration. He inhaled the two pounds of kraut with a time of 2:19. Kudos to you with the iron gut.

If you're a fan of Minnesota and the photos capturing the essence of the state, check back here beginning July 7, 2009 as MinnPics celebrates its first birthday with a week-long photographic journey chronicling the days before MinnPics.

The agony of defeat

from flickr user bsorenson
"Big" Bob Graham, a contestant in the 2009 Henderson sauerkraut eating contest (one of the events during Henderson, Minnesota's annual Sauerkraut Days celebration), is seen here with kraut falling from his mouth after another contestant had won. It has to be a bitter pill to swallow to know that eating just under two pounds of kraut was all for nothing.

If you're a fan of Minnesota and the photos capturing the essence of the state, check back here beginning July 7, 2009 as MinnPics celebrates its first birthday with a week-long photographic journey chronicling the days before MinnPics.