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7-26-08 through 8-2-08
This is a bit past due now since it's been a few weeks since I've been back already. Time once again for my annual trip to the clean waters of Richmond, Minnesota. One week just isn't long enough. All vacations are too short, but it sort of sucks since the last few days are when I finally start to unwind, but by then it's time to start packing up and getting ready to head back. Ruegemer's Island View Resort (formally Graham's Island View Resort) has now been a family tradition for vacationing for over twenty years now, and it never gets old. The smell in the air, the familiar characteristics that define each lake, the coziness of the cabins...they are all severely missed for 358 days out of the year. Dave and Kelli Ruegemer do a PHENOMENAL job with keeping up with the resort. From updating the cabins to the garden which welcomes you upon first arrival, this resort is just absolutely beautiful in every way and is highly recommended to anyone reading this. Their updated website can be found HERE. I am also adding it into my "LINKS" section. Hats off to them for keeping generations of families coming back year after year.
Ahh first day. The only thing I can do is take a deep breath and look out over the lake. Finally here. As we pulled into the cabin, I noticed this blue heron in the shallow mossy water right down the hill. I never saw him grab any fish, which is what I was sort of hoping for, but I'd definitely have my fill later in the week.
I know we have blue herons around here, but for some reason seeing them up here is just so much different. They are just birds, but after watching them for years, it sort of became a part of the trip.
After unpacking, what else to do but take the boat out! This year actually wasn't TOO great for fishing, but we still reeled in plenty. My ritual, heading to Becker Lake shortly after arrival, stayed on key this year. In my VERY FIRST cast, this guy hit a topwater. Sweet Becker Lake. Never fails to satisfy. Released, of course.
I caught a few more, but I lost more than I landed once again. One of them was a very nice size. I boated back and got my dad, and of course headed back to the same spot. On HIS very first cast, sure enough, landed this very nice largemouth. In fact, he caught two very good sized ones here.
Heading back after day one. One month would probably do me good up here.
On to day two. Typical morning view down by the docks. It doesn't get any better than this. I can smell that air now.
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...aaaaand the pelicans again. Again, we have them here, but I think it's the fact that I can get so close to them that entices me to shoot so many pictures of them.
Same one after I got a tad too close.
This is out in the shallows right in front of the resort. They all congregate here. You can get pretty close, but there is a limit. But, with a 400mm lens, you can get in on them pretty good.
Back to Becker. The bass fishing really took a nose dive after day one. I have a few theories, but I don't know. As I motored in to some really shallow water to hit the weed beds with the topwater, I heard this really loud shreeking noise, almost like a bird. Well, it wasn't a bird. I could definitely tell it was coming from the shoreline, but couldn't quite see anything. I ored in a bit and finally saw some movement. I slapped the 400mm on again and saw what was going on. This green heron somehow ambushed this leopard frog and it was screaming for its life. I thought it was a pretty cool sequence. First of all, anyone who has ever fished knows how skittish frogs are and how hard it is to sneak up on them. These birds must have some incredible hunting skills in the first place to pick off a frog like this. Secondly, this thing appeared way too big to fit into this birds mouth. Somehow he eventually got him down the gullet. The next few pictures might not fit the squeamish.
I'm not sure whether or not the frog kept kicking to flip around in its beak or if the bird was tossing him a abit. But, one thing is for certain, that frog definitely isn't feeling too good right about now. If you look just under its right arm.....that belongs on the inside.
Shortly after the bird had him swallowed and hopped back up into the weeds, out of view. Definitely something you don't see every day!
Back to the pelicans. I think this one was swallowing something.
This poor fella has a few problems. That big hump on its beak probably shouldn't be there. He also has a nice little gash on the side of his neck. You can see it much better full size.
Way out by Cedar Island. I'm actually not too sure this was day two, this one could have slipped in by accident, but I guess it doesn't matter. The island was full of turkey vultures when I shot this, but they wouldn't let you get within 100 yards of them without taking off. This was the only one left in its perch.
Day three. I caught this northern out by myself. This was a tad tricky to hold the pole up with one hand and the camera in the other, especially since these things like to thrash once their bodies come out of water. These things are extremely fun to catch...
...but you definitely don't want to get your fingers caught in their mouths! Rows of razor sharp teeth. The pic is a tad out of focus so you can't see them that well, but these things will slice you up in a hurry.
A storm came rolling in later that night, which I was actually hoping for at least one night. Constant cloud to cloud flashes, but never once saw a cg. It still lit up the waterscape quite nicely. I didn't take too many pictures on day three. Too much sun I guess.
On to day four. Man time really flies up here. Unfortunately. Another bass I managed to land at dusk. They would hit every night, but nothing like they used to. The storm the night before actually brought with it some pretty decent winds which shoved the weedline they were hitting on almost all the way up on the bank. I really think this had an effect on the bass fishing. But, oh well.
Minnesota state bird; the Loon. Another part of Minnesota that wouldn't be the same without. You can hear these birds even at night with their famous call echoing off of the calm waters.
I had this shot in mind all year long prior to visiting, except for some reason I thought I could see up the road more. That would have traced the tail lights a lot longer and in my opinion would have made a better picture, but oh well. I was still sort of happy with how it turned out. By the way, there's the number if you want to give them a call.
The next morning, 5:30'ish. Calm waters. Cool, gentle breeze moving the fog across the lake. Sun just coming up over the treeline. What can get better. Honestly.
Although fishing was rather unsuccessful, the scenery was more than enough satisfaction.
Later on in the day my mom and I went out for some panfish. This was pretty fun. We didn't catch much of anything, but the birds sure did. What first got me to break out the lens was this same blue heron below. He came within 8 feet, literally, from the boat to get a fish. It scared the crap out of us but it was pretty cool at the same time. Here is shortly after take off for another fish.
As I mention in almost every entry, picture quality is reduced due to Photoshop Elements' "Save for Web" function. These shots are actually pretty clear full size.
Seagull getting into the action.
The heron back for another snack. He probably snatched up 6-7 fish while we were anchored there.
Swallowing his catch on the bank.
Later on, I managed to land one of the biggest bass I've ever caught. This thing was a bit over 5 lbs. I know, nothing like what you'd see down south, but for me that's pretty decent. He wrapped me up into some lily pads and I actually had to up the anchors and pull myself toward him just to get him in the boat. Pretty fun adventure.
The next morning I woke up at 5 again to hit up the bass. The sunrise, once again, was more than enough motivation for me. Awesome.
So I head out, to Becker of course, and notice an anvil canopy directly overhead. I didn't think much of it. I get to my spot, see the sunrise behind me, and just sit there in awe for a bit at the spectacular orange colors all around me.
By this time I could hear thunder. This mammatus is also an obvious sign that storms are on the horizon. I didn't think it was much though, just some piddly stuff that I could stay out on the water in. My only fear is lightning. If there is constant cg strokes, I don't want to be out there, obviously.
As the thunder got closer, this elevated line of cumulus moved in from the west. By this time I was thinking there could be a little squall line or something coming in.
Well, it was a bit more than I thought......
Unfortunately, I didn't save the radar grab when I first checked it. This thing took a very hard dive south (as they usually tend to do) and completely missed us. Earlier in its cycle, in South Dakota, it produced over 100 mph winds. I was actually a bit disappointed it didn't hit me. It most definitely would have caused a ton of damage, but man that would have been wicked to be a part of. So, I settled on the remnants, trying to get some early morning lightning. This was the only one I got.
Looking to my south.
Probably a good thing it didn't hit us. Still, would have made for an interesting time!
And the last day. The last day always sucks...bad. Even though I know we still have one full day left to enjoy, I can't help but think we have to leave the next morning. It really is sort of depressing.
Dad and I went out to Becker once again to try trolling for northern. This steam was awesome. I saw that boat way off in the distance and thought shooting that through the steam would make for a great shot. I do like how it turned out. It sort of reminds me of a postcard shot.
Skipping ahead to later in the afternoon. I finally caught the first walleye of the vacation. Although it's not very big, it's still a walleye. Like the northern, these things have some extremely sharp teeth.
See? I would hate to be a little fish being chased down by that.
One last boat ride. Nothing but a clean boat and my camera. I was hoping for a better sunset (with clouds or something) but this works. I didn't even feel like fishing on the last night, just wanted to try and take it in as much as possible.
On the last night the past couple years I try and go around and take night shots of the resort. This is one I always seem to grab. For some reason, the last two years yielded this strange purplish hue. You definitely can't see it with the naked eye, and city lights are normally orange. I don't know, sort of weird.
My first ever attempt at shooting the Milky Way...and I butchered it. I knew that in order to pick anything up, ISO has to be bumped up quite a bit. Well, that's true, but you also have to try and block out any additional light. Like, let's say...NOT SHOOTING DIRECTLY INTO THE LIGHTED DOCKS. I know better than that. Oh well. The streaks in the sky are airplanes.
Our cabin, #11. I didn't notice my shadow was in the shot until I looked at it on the computer. Whoops.
My 2nd attempt at the Milky Way. Better results this time. It is remarkably visible in the skies up there, not much light interference. I liked how this one ended up.
My last shot of 2008 (in Richmond, anyway). This was MUCH harder than it looked. This was about a 15 minute 30 second exposure. The hard part was shooting it from the end of a very wobbly dock. The slightest movement would sway the tripod left to right. But, it was the only good place I could really set up at without any other distractions from my surroundings. To the right was a green light that would have been overly exposed. If I set the tripod back a bit, the sides of the boats would be in the picture and would have ruined it. There was nothing to my left either, so this was the only option I had. So I lock the shutter up and stand as still as I possibly could for 15 minutes. I can't believe it turned out. There is a VERY slight wobble in the star trails, but nothing too noticable at all. That is also the Milky Way there. It was so bright that even ISO 100, f/8 picked it up that well.
See ya Richmond. Until next year...