The Things I Wish I Had Known “What is that thing?” “Oh, that? It’s just a little sea otter, nothing too crazy.” “Wow, I had no idea. I’m from Pennsylvania, we don’t have those there.” “That’s ok, I’m from Minnesota,…
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Moose Country
The Story Behind The Photo All my research had pointed to the Gunflint Trail. “There is no mileage in photographing a bear with a long lens—it has been done before—it is hackneyed pulp.” David Yarrow After meeting David in Chicago,…
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The Photography “This or That” Challenge
Recently, a group of photographers I follow began sharing some photography preferences through a quick writing challenge. With a few simple this-or-that style questions, I learned a lot about them. And myself. Here are my thoughts… 1. Prime or Zoom…
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The 2023 Tanzania Photography Wall Calendar
The Calendar I would like to introduce you to the 2023 Tanzania Photography Wall Calendar. This is The Spur Trail’s third annual art calendar. Within its pages you will find adventures from Serengeti safari, living with the Maasai, climbing mountains…
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When Can A Person Truly Call Themselves An Artist?
I’m about to order new business cards and I’m curious. Do you become an artist the moment you believe yourself to be one? Is it a title offered to you after you have completed a degree or other institutional process that includes fancy paperwork and back pats?…
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The Street Kitties of Lebanon
A tale of kings and queens, cushions and streets. When the rush of day and traffic fades away, the raucous sound of traffic jams and near misses transitions into a new auditory treat. Sweet Night Sounds To Sleep To Shadows emerge…
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Getting Your Work Out There
The Art of Crafting Calendars In 2020 I went forward with a project to visit all of Minnesota’s State Parks and Recreation areas. Now I had a ton of photos but wondered, what do I do with them all? I…
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Your Photos Will Outlive You, But Not The Way You Want
How Too Much of a Good Thing, Isn’t So Good Photography is Everywhere I wanted to start this article by describing to you the power of photography. Through an experiment. Check this out. “Take a break from your screen. Look around…
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2021 Greater Minnesota Calendar
In 2020, I was quick to realize that I needed to stay cognizant of finding as many silver linings as possible. As events and job opportunities faded to closings and being rescheduled, the calendar actually opened up a little bit.…
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The Bunad – Norway’s Traditional Folk Costume
What Is A Norwegian Bunad? Simply put, the Norwegian Bunad is a folk costume based on traditional rural clothing and 20th-century folk costumes. But what makes the bunad so special? How come you don’t see them every day on the…
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Tettegouche State Park – Winter
In winter it is as if you get a fresh start every time it snows. A new story can be told, a narrative reworked if you didn’t like the way it came out the first time.
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Gooseberry Falls State Park – Winter
The paths around Gooseberry Falls State Park were quiet though well-trafficked. With heavy snow falling, my tracks disappeared behind me. Not uncomfortable, it was just below freezing and I was fine with a single pair of socks. That’s a good thermometer.
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Split Rock Lighthouse State Park – Winter
On this frigid day in January, I awoke in my vehicle not far from Split Rock State Park. It was dark as I poked my head out from my den of sleeping bags and blankets. There were two valid reasons for such a great darkness. One, was the fact that it was still predawn and all ambient light was low. The second, was that my car was covered with a thick layer of snow.
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Jay Cooke State Park – Winter
I’m going to go ahead on record and just say that any adventure that begins…
A: Outdoors
B: On snowshoes
C: Under the first Wolf Moon of a new decade
…is going to be a good one.
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A Speedlight Recommendation
Truth in advertising, this post contains affiliate links. If you would like to support this blog and future posts/photography, you can do so by making your purchase though one of the following links. You have met enough people and read…
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Peak Design’s ‘Everyday Messenger V1’ Review
This post contains affiliate links. To learn how these support The Spur Trail, you can find everything here. “The Perfect Carry-On Only Setup” “Seeking Perfection Through Luggage Selection” “How Much Can I Fit” Everyday Messenger V1 Review (This review has been…
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Ten Ways To Improve Your Wildlife Photography
Trust Me On This…It Can Get Better What it boils down to here is knowing what you hope to achieve and what your intention is. If you simply want to prove that you saw a certain type of wildlife and…
Read MoreHow To: Get A Date On Valentine’s Day
If It’s This Easy, Why Wouldn’t You? This article is intended for all those who are hyper-adventurous, a little crazy, and have no idea where they might be on any particular holiday. So much so that you may even forget…
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Bike Tour – Part 4 “Wet Washington”
Remember that awesome mushroom book I bought on Day Two of the trip?
Yeah, after the night of infinite terror…
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Bike Tour – Part 3 “Washington In”
Alternate Titles “Washington is a Waste of Time” The two days that best described our time in Washington were the first day in, and the last day out. Advice given to us by a former Highway 101 bike rider suggested,…
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Things You Can Do With Free Time
How do you afford to travel, how do you get there, and how do you pick where to go? My secret has ultimately been to…
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Mille Lacs Kathio
Sometimes I will have a free day sneak up on me and I just won’t know what to do with it. They are rare and usually a surprise via cancellation or change-of-plans. However, a few weeks ago, I found myself with a…
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Minnesota County Fairs
Every summer in Minnesota, for an all too short amount of time, fairgrounds churn out an interesting mix of shaved ice, dust, and frivolity. Long conversations are had about the weather, how it is currently and how it was in years past. Bulls are ridden…
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iPod Photography – The Lost Files
Yes, it’s true. There are times where I’ll scoff at those who think that the camera in their phone is the next best thing and that’s all they need. Why bother carrying around something that takes up an extra pocket,…
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A Day At The Diamond
Yesterday I was fortunate to find myself with a little free time after work. It was a nice day, with the sun out and shining. Though forecasted, no rain had dared to show it’s face, so I wondered to myself…
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Ten Days In
I’m only ten days in to my project dubbed “The Leap Year Chronicles” and it’s already managed to put me through a whirlwind of excessively creative bouts and depressingly unimaginative fits. If you have no idea what I’m talking about,…
Read More2012 – The Biggest Thing Since The Wheel
It’s ok; I can tell you’re a little bit skeptical about this claim. Alas, I have a feeling that it’s true. Just give me a second; I’ll do my best to prove this outrageous claim to you. It’s coming, in…
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