Hello again,
It has been a bit bleak here in southern Minnesota. A snowstorm dropped about eight inches (about 20cm) of snow on the area. While I prefer warmer weather, it was a good chance to take some winter photographs.
Minneopa Falls still has running water. It has been very cold, but it takes a much more brutal cold front to freeze it up completely. The running water and frigid temps do create some fascinating ice formations.
There was someone scaling the waterfall ice when I arrived. He had two ice picks and was not using ropes.
The Minnesota River still has open water. The last few days have actualy been relatively warm, staying just below freezing, so the ice has not firmed up across the entire surface. Even when it does, I would not venture across. Falling through the ice on a river is very dangerous. The current can pull you away from the hole, under the ice. It is beautiful, though.
Here's a scene I happened across in the surrounding farmland. It's hard to get more bleak than this!
I would hate to leave you feeling chilled, so here is one last photo to warm things up. The next large-ish town over from where I currently reside has a coffee shop with stained glass hanging in the windows. The designs are intersting, but it is the way the light plays through the glass that caught my attention. Look closely and you will see dozens of "sparkles" that resolved into stars through the camera lens.
Thank you for taking a look! If you enjoy my work, please click the upvote button. Comments are also greatly appreciated.