Would anyone like to participate in a project I have planned for September named “30 Superior Nights”?

For this project I have created a Flickr group named 30 Superior Nights. Posting to that group requires an image include water in the Lake Superior Region (lake, pond, river, stream or creek) and be taken at night during September 2015. Night is defined as the sun being below the horizon. My personal goal is to improve my own night photography.

While my personal plan is to try and take at least one photograph every night, individuals participating in this project need not take a photo every night. Posting a photo just a few times during September is perfectly acceptable, but each image must conform to the project rules.

Group rules allow for the posting of two images daily. Thus, if you are away from your computer but with camera in tow for a few days, it is possible to catch up.

Here is an image I took yesterday morning around 4:30 am when a thunderstorm rolled through the Duluth area.

Although the focus of this blog is primarily birds and the photographs of those same fine feathered friends, how can a Duluth native not love the ships that ply Lake Superior. While the newer 1,000 footers carry more ore, grain, and coal … for us folks who have watched the boats at Canal Park for years, it is the older ships which we love.

Today, the Alpena, made one of her two monthly visits to the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior. The Alpena is a grand old lady, built in 1942, and her classic lines make her a true “Queen of the Lakes”. Thus, I drove over to the overlook at Enger Tower and enjoyed her entry into the Duluth Harbor. I hope you enjoy my photos!

The Alpena enters the Duluth Harbor on a busy day at the waterfront.

One of the treats that comes with living up here in the Northland is the world is a beautiful explosion of color and scenery. As much dawn’s early light will often find me chasing brightly colored birds that are enhanced by the shadows and nuances of the golden hour, Lake Superior often pulls me down to her shore before sunrise.

Such was the case yesterday. Awakening at 4:15 am I glanced out the window. Some scattered storm clouds were moving off to the east. Although still half asleep, I jumped out of bed, threw on shorts and a t-shirt (plus a sweater … this is Lake Superior land after all!) and drove down to Canal Park in Duluth.

I took this photo while dawn’s early light was just being hinted. The sun would not come up for some time yet. I like the resulting image; hope you do also!

• View this project’s Flickr photo stream. (click upon images to view at full size)

Twilight Storm Rise!