We asked Great Lakes photographers to send us their favorite and toughest Great Lakes shot. Paul Sundberg of Paul Sundberg Photography sent us these photos of before and after a winter storm in Minnesota.
One of my favorite, but toughest, outdoor photo adventures
Paul Sundberg, Paul Sundberg Photography
In April of 2003 we experienced a huge storm over Lake Superior. Northeast winds came off the lake at up to 60 mph creating massive waves that collided with the rocky shoreline. Since the temperature was below freezing the spray from these waves started to cover the trees and shrubs with layers of ice. I drove to Tettegouche State Park which is just North of Silver Bay, Minnesota. My goal was to capture some of the waves as they hit the caves along the mouth of the Baptism River. These 30-foot tall caves caused the waves to explode sending spray into the trees above.
Walking the trail out to the point was difficult to say the least. Twice I was knocked to my knees by wind gusts as I was trying to protect my camera. I took about two dozen photos but decided to head for home when I witnessed several trees and branches falling around me.
The next day the point was an absolute winter wonderland. Every tree and branch was covered with ice. I just stood there in awe with the beauty around me. After taking photos from several locations I picked up my tripod and took about five steps when the top half of one of the ice covered trees came crashing down. I could have easily had been under the spot where it hit. I am very thankful that I walked out from that spot when I did.
-Paul Sundberg
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Wow Paul, those are spectacular images!
This is truly AWESOME!!! What an effort (and risk) it was to take these photos it was, indeed. Thanks for sharing these with us. I have seen other photos of ice spray on trees before, but NOT to the extent that these photos show. I can only imagine that a great number of trees did not survive the sheer weight of all the ice, which appears to be a foot or more thick. This is the truly awesome nature of Lake Superior.
Absolutely awesome Paul, thank you for sharing your experience and photos!
Would it be possible to get a print of the during the storm pic? I would love it on my wall…it is the way I feel about life, and I love Minnesota so. Please, let me know…Thank you, Karen Marsack, marsackatom@aol.com.