March at Split Rock Lighthouse

Split Rock Lighthouse stands high above Lake Superior on a beautiful early spring afternoon. Lighthouse Keepers at Split Rock Light would move to the Lighthouse in the Spring and stay until late Autumn. For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake, you lead me and guide me Psalm 31:3 The fortitude and loyalty of the lighthouse keepers is a reminder of our hardy nautical heritage.

Ice Fishing on Lake Superior

Fishermen head out onto Lake Superior for a morning catch. Other than the risk of the ice pack floating away from the shore, the fun of a morning catch on Lake Superior is nothing new and enjoyed by many local anglers. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you, I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 God has provided us a bountiful harvest of fish from Lake Superior over the ages and will continue to do so in the future.

Apostle Islands Ice Caves

View from inside the Apostle Island Caves. - Centuries of wave action, freezing, and thawing have sculpted shorelines throughout Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Some of the Great Lakes' most spectacular scenery occurs where these forces interact. "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,..." Job 38:22 Whether it is summer or winter, the caver proves to be a fascinating work of creations.

Mushing through the Snow!!

For over 40 years, Minnesota's North Shore comes alive with the excitement of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon race, which celebrates and honors the spirit of John Beargrease and brings thousands of worldwide spectators and hundreds of mushers from across the nation. There's nothing that quite matches the unforgettable experience of dog sledding. Otherwise known as 'mushing', sled dogs genuinely enchanting tradition has been going strong for thousands of years. The dogs run incredibly long distances with joy because God made them and how the musher trained them. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Think of the "long run" of life today, and run the race with joy. Colossians 1:11

Needle Frost

Needle Frost (Hoar Frost) develops over several days of near-freezing temps. On a calm, clear night, ice crystals may attach to grass, leaves, and branches. Humid air will skip the droplet stage and go straight to crystallizing. As tree branches and leaves' surface rapidly cool, the icy needles grow into the spiny crystals that decorate the tree. By the breath of God, ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. Job 37:10 The beauty of God's creation never ceases to amaze me, and every day, there is something new to behold.

February Milky Way

The Milky Way makes its appearance in the Northern Hemisphere, beginning in February and lasts through November. Quiet nights at Split Rock State Park is a great time to view the display as it makes its transit across the sky with other heavenly objects. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psa 19-1

The Tip of Superior

Sunrise breaks over sheet ice on the North Shore. With waves rapidly breaking the surface ice on Lake Superior up into shards, the advance of Spring is a sure thing. And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years." Genesis 1:14 Spring's new life is a good thought and the "New Life" promised in Jesus Christ is indeed the same promise.

Snow Cones

Snow flocks to trees on a beautiful winter day. These are female pine cones. The main objective of a pine cone is to protect and keep the seeds safe. Pine cones close their scales to protect the seeds from cold weather, high wind, and animals, who might eat them. They open up and release the seeds when it warms up. Besides being naturally beautiful, pine trees are an excellent source of nutrients and vitamins. Consuming parts of a pine tree will provide healthy vitamin C and fiber. And when properly cooked, it will also taste great. And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. Genesis 1:29 ESV

Winter White

Winter brings its beauty in the form of white snow-covered fields. The pure white landscapes of the Northland gleam with crystal snowflakes and hush the sounds of the countryside. Snow and clouds appear white because almost all sunlight reflects off the surface, with only a small amount of the visible spectrum absorbed. White also represents purity, things that are good, innocence, honesty, and cleanliness. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8

Superior Winter

The warm light of a Lake Superior sunrise shines through the ice-covered rocks of the North Shore. The ice field extends 1/2 mile out into Lake Superior and is a gallery for reflecting and refracting light throughout the day. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. Isaiah 9:2 Winter is a great time to relax and reflect on where we are and where we are going!

Superior Glow

Each season on Lake Superior has its unique beauty, and as February represents the waning winter season, shore ice is a unique feature with a beauty all its own. The strengthening afternoon sun breaks up the surface ice formed overnight into shards of crystal ice sheets, and winds pile it high onto the shore. The icy sheets form a necklace around Lake Superior's shores and are a reminder of approaching Spring. May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:22

Moonset in the Pines

The moon drops across the horizon as it sets before a northland winter day. The Magenta color is generated when fine atmospheric particulates reach the stratosphere and scatter blue light, which produces a violet tone mixed with ordinary red. It is amazing how the God of Creations brought the moon, colors, trees, and snow together into one scene, shows us His glory, and gives us hope in Him in everyday reminders. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 15:13 When you start to lose your positive outlook, look up, for he is with you.

Winterscape

The winter sun peeks through a shoreline tree along Minnesota Point. The sunrise now is earlier and once again rising a bit further north than yesterday. With the Spring Solstice only six weeks away, the promise of warming weather defeats mid-February's cold winds. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 As surly as Spring will arrive, so will the promises of God be fulfilled.

Winter Shores

The beauty of winter is readily apparent along the shore of Lake Superior, and the beach grass along Park Point stands heartily in place throughout the winter season. Amazingly, these plants endure and increase in the harshest climates. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Colossians 1:11 Much like the tough beach grass, we can travel through life with the assurance that our heavenly Father will sustain us through good times and bad.

Full Moon through the Bridge

A full moonrise is always a spectacular event to watch, especially on cool February nights. The Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge was built in 1910 and has spanned the shipping canal for more than 100 years. This iconic bridge has stood against powerful storms, blazing heat, and extreme cold, all to the tribute of its architects, builders, and operators. The residents of Park Point are reliant on the proper functioning of the bridge. Similarly, we rely on the proper functioning of our world, and if we do our part as stewards of the beautiful planet, God does his part to make it pleasing to our temporary stay in this world. His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21

Delicate Snowflake

A single snowflake under a frozen microscope reveals the magnificence of God's creation. Ecclesiastes 3:11 - He has made everything beautiful in its time. We see beauty everywhere we look in God's creation. But before the microscope, only God alone could see this beauty in the snow. When we learn to appreciate the elegance in nature, it will help us enjoy God more each day.

Blatnik Bridge Twilight

The transition from day to night transforms the harbor into a winter cityscape of lights and ice. The spectacle of transitioning light from daylight pulls the shades on another day as quiet settles over the Northland landscape. The watchman says: "Morning comes, and also the night. If you inquire, inquire; come back again." Isaiah 21:12 The refreshing awareness that tomorrow is a new day brings refreshment to the heart and peace to the soul.

Beach Grass and Snow

The windblown beaches of Park Point on Lake Superior's shores show the quiet season's beauty and solitude. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:2 Thank you, Lord, for the fresh air today and this scene to calm my soul.

Water on Ice

The warming sun of approaching Spring begins the melting season. Over the next few weeks, signs of Spring will gradually appear. The snow on the roads melts off sooner, daylight hours start to stretch longer, and puddles begin to form. A new season is moving ever closer. “As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3 We have much to look forward to this time of year, and we can find hope in this fast-changing time of year.

Fire and Ice

Brighton Beach in Duluth is a beautiful place to watch the sunrise, waves, ice, and the big lake. By Mid-February, shore ice has formed and begins to break up with warming temperatures. With Springtime drawing closer, the winter landscapes will soon be melting into the bug lake. So that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy. Psalm 65:8 Thank you, Lord, that you give a fresh new day every morning.

Ice-Land

Ice shards are continually building and moving along the North Shore of Lake Superior this time of year, forming into art formations with a beauty of their own. How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom, you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small. Psalm 104:24-25 The beauty of God's creation surrounds us. All we have to do is open our eyes and see

Ice Shards on the North Shore

Late winter ice shards are the attraction of the north shore of Lake Superior during late February. We have gained an extra hour of daylight already since December, and the hope of warming weather brings hope to the heart. But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:25 Hope is a driving force in life, and if will look around us, we get filled with just enough for today, and that's enough.

Jack Frost's Cabin

Built in the days when the fishing industry thrived on the North Shore, this rugged structure protected the nets and other fishermen’s livelihood tools through even the fiercest of storms. The fishermen who built this hardy building to make a living from the big lake had no idea it would eventually become a photography attraction years later. “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ... Matthew 6:25-34

Crystal Cathederal

Thick shore ice along Lake Superior creates a beautiful ice cathedral. The broken sheet of ice pushed onshore by the winds and waved of late February creates some stunning structures of clear ice. “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail... Job 38:22 The ice sculptures are crafted by the hand of God overnight and are new each day!

Sun Pillar

A February sunrise forms a sun pillar behind the Grand Marais Lighthouse. Sun pillars are beams of light extending from the sun or other bright light sources under the right atmospheric conditions. Ice crystals in the upper atmosphere catch the light and refract it into a beam. I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things. Isaiah 45:7 Each day is a gift. Take time to enjoy it today!