2010 In Pictures - East Bearskin Reflection

I shot this from the canoe landing at our campsite on East Bearskin Lake.    It was a lovely morning.   I could look at this reflection all day.

East Bearskin Reflection - ISO 500 - f2.8 - 1/1000th

Note - I would have shot this at a much lower ISO with a higher aperture, but I was out shooting in the very early  morning and did not change my camera settting.   It turned out pretty good anyway, but stupid me because this image could have been quite a bit better.  

An early morning swim

Several weeks ago the Gnat family was up in the Boundary Waters area.   It was an amazing trip for my family and a great trip filled with exploration and discovery.   Several mornings I got up in the dark and hiked out to the point to take pictures of the sunrise.  On this particualar day, I found a little furry friend out on an early morning swim.

A slow stroll around the point and through my viewfinder

This little guy either did not notice me or was interested in me as well as he pretty much did the 180 degree swim around the point I had my tripod set up.   As I watched him swim by I wondered what he was up too?   Was he out for the same reasons as I, to experience the sunrise?   Or did he have places to go?   I don't know but I must say that I was glad he joined me.   As he slowly swam around the point, I followed him in the view finder of my camera.   I wished I had a long 200+mm lens to bring him in closer but on this day, I had one lens.   Much like a bike race where you ride what you brought, I shot away with my wide angle lens.   

Early morning swim - East Bearskin Lake

Here is my final shot of the early morning swim.   It is one of my favorite shots from the trip.

Photo Friday - Going Long

Ahhh....It's Friday.   Today is dedicated to going long.  I'm once again riding the Friday Morning Breakfast Ride.   I'm embarassed how few of these I've done this year.   I'm really looking forward to it.   By the end fo the day I should get 60 miles in on my Fargo.   Sweet.      

Also, since today is about going long, I share with you one of my long exposures taken last week up in the Boundary Waters.   For readers that don't know about the Boundary Waters, they are almost untouched wilderness up on the Minnesota/Canada border.   It is incredible country.   

This 30 second exposure was taken about 9:30 when the full moon was low in the sky.  I shot it at ISO 200 with a F-stop of 6.3.   The wind was blowing quite a bit as can be seen in the clouds and in the branches of the tall tree.   I just love the feel of this image with the blue sky, the shadows on the water and the motion of the clouds.  

In other news, I have taken some action against the spammers that have been attacking my comment field.   We'll see how long this lasts as they are pretty persistant buggers.   If it lasts, I'm going to keep things here for a while because I'm too busy right now to develop my new site.   I've got it started and it looks great, but it has a long way to go in terms of data, organization and set up.   

Last but not least, start putting your thinking caps on too.   I'll be announcing a contest shortly about naming my new website.    I want a name that points to my love of both cycling and photography.   I don't want Gnat in the title.  The winning name must be available and non trademark infringing.   There will be a very nice prize for the winning name.   Don't share your ideas yet, please wait until next week when I announce the contest.

So....It is Friday and I leave you with this.  

Oh how I wish I was still up in the north woods.  

Ride your bike!  Take some pictures!

Thoughts about my future

Whenever I travel I think a lot about my life and my choices.  I think about what and who I want to be.   When we travel together as a family, it is the same and every road trip has meaningful conversation.   I've written this before and it probably isn't news or all that interesting.    However, it is fresh in my mind and I need to write it down to process and to make certain declarations.  

Whenever I, or we, travel, I like to see what is out there?!   It's a big and beautiful world we live in.   If you don't look, you don't know.   Don't sit back and let others explore the world.  Do it yourself.   It's an amazing world we live in and it is filled with amazing people and places.    

I also like to take time to reflect on the past.   What's gone well and where I've gotten off track?   Right now, for me, things are changing in my world and I need to make some changes along with it.   My kids are growing up.   School and schedules are changing.   I'm staying up later and later and still getting up early.   Something has to give.  In my case, it is my weight and my health.   Sure I've been riding a fair amount this year, but I've grown tired and when I'm tired I eat.   Sometimes it takes putting it all down, walking away and being with the people you love to be able to see it.   Thankfully, I've not gone too far.  I just need to get back on track.  I need to go to bed at night.  I need to come to grips and deal with my sleep disorder.  I need to ride my bike in the mornings instead of sit behind my computer.    I need to do the things that impacted my life so powerfully just a couple of short years ago.  

I also like to take time to think big.   Not too long ago, my daughter asked me "What is my dream job?".  This is part of a question book that we use at the dinner table at night.   I sort of laughed because frankly, I am pretty much living it.   I want to keep doing what I am doing, travel the world, take pictures AND I want to take my family with me.   I've been doing a lot of solo stuff and I need to change that.   Given the fact that I've got commitments through October and a tentative trip to Asia later this year, it won't change right away but we've hatched a trip to a far away place that will include all the things I love; family, adventure, bikes (my Fargo), and photography...There will be some official work in there too.  

It was a really great trip that filled me with hope and enthusiasm.  We've got plans and a tentative destination.  I can see, feel and taste it.   Time to get busy and make it happen.   

Up North & Unplugged

Wow time flies! I can't believe my sabatical is over. For those of you coming here today looking for a big post with a lot of writing, you'll have to come back later. I got in last night and downloaded almost 1000 images. Thanks to all of you for the kind words, emails and notes wishing me well during this time. It was a special time for me and my family. We went north, I mean way north, for some time in the woods. We left with food, a desitination and gear. Our home for most of the week was a primitive cabin in the north woods. No electricity. No running water. No internet. No cell phone coverage. In short, it was amazing and better than I imagined when my awesome wife booked this trip. We came home a closer family. I'd be lying if I didn't say I came home with some new thoughts, new goals and a new perspective. However, it will take me a bit to process all this. So instead of words, I'll share just a handful of images from last week. Hope you enjoy. A view of West Bearskin Lake Our private little beach view on East Bearskin Lake N & N tearing up the north woods gravel An early morning reflection on East Bearskin Lake Magnetic Rock Trail - (The start of the Border Trail and site of the severe forsest fires a few years back) N & N exploring XC Ski Trail at Bearskin Lodge Split Rock Lighthouse Our first sunset on the Gunflint Trail

As you can see, we did and saw a lot. Honestly, just skimming photos last night I could have posted a couple of hundred here. I can't wait to dig into the images, process them and put words to them. Should be a fun week to share with all of you. Enjoy your week and thanks again for coming back after my week away.

Ps. For all of you that have sent me emails that requested a response of some sort, I will get to them starting tonight. Thanks for your email and your patience.