Frozen Sunset

Eagle Harbor

Eagle Harbor

We’d been traveling and taking photographs in Door County since sunrise and just before sunset I called it quits. With the temps close to zero, taking photographs can get me bone tired – I think it’s all the jumping in and out of the car to warm up between shots. So I was determined to head back to the motel and relax in the hot tub until…

…until I took a glance in the rearview mirror and saw the ice gleaming orange from the disappearing sun. A quick U-turn and another 30 minutes and then we hit the hot tub.

After going through another few dozen, I found a second photograph I wanted to share, one with a slightly different perspective and composition. If possible, this one makes me shiver more than the first.

An Even Colder Perspective

An Even Colder Perspective

Door County may be a bit frosty, but it provides endless opportunities for “just one more”.

Do you have a photo preference? Do you like the first, the warmer version, or second photo, the colder one? And why?

Do you take photographs in winter climes? Anything you do to keep you and your camera gear warm – well, warm is a relative word here. I mean warm enough to stay out for “just one more?”

Fish Creek Harbor

Canada Geese in Glow of Sunset

Canada Geese in Glow of Sunset

No, I’m not taking a holiday in Antarctica, though truly, sometimes I start imagining the Canada geese I see are really penguins! Not near the Pole, but winter in Wisconsin can still be a little long. Strong winds broke open the sheet of ice covering Green Bay near Fish Creek, but there is still an icy slush along the shores. Even in the glow of the setting sun, it all looks cold. And with temps hovering in the single digits and the wind chill dropping to 10 below or colder, taking photographs becomes a challenge.

How fast can I set up the shot, take it, and make it back to the interior of the warm car? Hmm. Not quite fast enough.

Winter Sunset

Dane County Wisconsin

Dane County Wisconsin

Just settling in for a long winter’s nap.

Sun-down on the Farm

On the Backroads in Illinois

On the Backroads in Illinois

I seldom see rural Illinois. I’m either in a rush to drive from Madison to downtown Chicago via the interstate, or I totally bypass Illinois and drive to and from my hometown (which is on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River) by taking a faster route through Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri, and then crossing the bridge into Illinois. I know it sounds contradictory, but I really do go through four states to get from Wisconsin to Illinois. It shaves 30 miles from the drive each way.

But this past week I actually did get off the Illinois tollway and we drove through a lovely part of northern Illinois few people see. And yes, I find it pleasurable driving through rolling countryside and farmland. Maybe it has something to do with living in Wisconsin for the last 30 years or so.

We attended a great wedding in a small hamlet (it really does qualify as a hamlet) and left the reception just as the dancing was beginning and the sun was setting. It had rained the entire day, but as we drove the skies cleared to the west. And so we were treated to a view of a striking sunset.

Santa Fe Silhouette

Santa Fe Silhouette

Santa Fe at Sunset ©2008 Bo Mackison

Our first night in Santa Fe, we watched storm clouds gathering over the city. Forecasters gave dire warnings of a foot of snow in the nearby Sangre de Cristo mountains and possible accumulation on the streets of this high elevation city. Since rain/sleet/snow were all possibilities, we decided to stay in Santa Fe another night and then head into the mountains when sunshine was expected to make a comeback on Wednesday morning..

Santa Fe is an interesting destination, even when it is rainy and cold. There are many museums in the city and the Plaza area offers dozens and dozens of stores and galleries for browsing, oohing and ahhing, and inspiration gathering. And need I even mention the Southwest eateries? I thought not.