Dells Mill, Augusta, Wisconsin 2022
A Sneak Peek Preview
2024 Fine Art Shows
2024 Limited Fine Art Show Schedule
- PBS Wisconsin’s Annual Garden & Landscape Expo February 9th-11th, 2024 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
- Art Fair Off The Square in Madison, Wisconsin July 13th & 14th, 2024
- Winter Art Fair Off The Square in Madison, Wisconsin at Monona Terrace November 9th & 10th 2024
Fragrant Isle Washington Island
Door County, Wisconsin
2020
I wish there was smell a photo
"Lavender Paradise" The intoxicating fragrance of lavender,
the hum of thousands of bees collecting pollen,
mesmerized by the fluttering of a variety of butterflies enjoying the blooms
and the warm summer breezes made for a dreamy day.
"Lavender Paradise" The intoxicating fragrance of lavender,
the hum of thousands of bees collecting pollen,
mesmerized by the fluttering of a variety of butterflies enjoying the blooms
and the warm summer breezes made for a dreamy day.
Sax-Zim Bog Boreal, Great Gray & Barred Owls
2020 Minnesota
2024 Sax-Zim Bog
Calendar now available
Use Link to the right for Membership with Calendar
History and Mission Sax-Zim Bog
Friends of Sax-Zim Bog (FOSZB) originated in 2010 when Sparky Stensaas realized the biologically diverse habitat of the Sax-Zim Bog, one of the most famous birding areas in North America, was being threatened and needed a voice. Sparky had been birding the Bog since the early 1980s and had recently seen an increase in the logging of mature Black Spruce bogs. These mature old-growth forests are the exact habitat that many of our beloved boreal birds need for nesting and wintering. Sparky along with Dave Benson (Duluth) and Kim Eckert (Duluth) are the “founding fathers” of FOSZB. The founders also felt that in addition to land preservation, the area needed a Welcome Center/Nature Center. FOSZB became a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit in the summer 2011. Located approximately 40 miles northwest of Duluth, Minnesota in St Louis County, the Sax-Zim Bog draws thousands of birders and photographers from across the country each year. The area is probably most famous for the amazing numbers of wintering Great Gray Owls (up to 100 in the winter of 2004-2005!), and as being the “Arctic Riviera” for rarely-seen northern birds who come south from boreal Canada and the High Arctic to winter in Sax-Zim. The Sax-Zim Bog is also home to uncommon mammals, and supports a diverse wetland flora, including rare orchids. Most of the Black Spruce-Tamarack bog habitat of Sax-Zim is county tax-forfeited land subject to logging just when the stand is prime for desirable breeding birds such as the Great Gray Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, and Connecticut Warbler, therefore much of the critical habitat for these rare birds is disappearing. Audubon Minnesota, along with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), designated Sax-Zim Bog as an Important Bird Area (IBA). This designation, although critical, does not assure protection of this important habitat or the biodiversity of its species and so FOSZB has made land purchase and preservation a top priority. We at FOSZB want this amazing habitat to be around for future generations to experience and enjoy. We also want to educate the public on a biome that is poorly understood and often dismissed as “mosquito-infested swamps.” Friends of Sax-Zim Bog’s mission is to preserve, promote, and protect the Sax-Zim Bog through land preservation, education, research and communication.
100% of all Calendar Sales in the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog link goes to them to preserve, promote and protect
this precious sanctuary for future generations to enjoy and treasure.
The only reward I receive is knowing that I did a small part to promote and support this nonprofit organization so future generations can enjoy this natural treasure.
Calendar now available
Use Link to the right for Membership with Calendar
History and Mission Sax-Zim Bog
Friends of Sax-Zim Bog (FOSZB) originated in 2010 when Sparky Stensaas realized the biologically diverse habitat of the Sax-Zim Bog, one of the most famous birding areas in North America, was being threatened and needed a voice. Sparky had been birding the Bog since the early 1980s and had recently seen an increase in the logging of mature Black Spruce bogs. These mature old-growth forests are the exact habitat that many of our beloved boreal birds need for nesting and wintering. Sparky along with Dave Benson (Duluth) and Kim Eckert (Duluth) are the “founding fathers” of FOSZB. The founders also felt that in addition to land preservation, the area needed a Welcome Center/Nature Center. FOSZB became a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit in the summer 2011. Located approximately 40 miles northwest of Duluth, Minnesota in St Louis County, the Sax-Zim Bog draws thousands of birders and photographers from across the country each year. The area is probably most famous for the amazing numbers of wintering Great Gray Owls (up to 100 in the winter of 2004-2005!), and as being the “Arctic Riviera” for rarely-seen northern birds who come south from boreal Canada and the High Arctic to winter in Sax-Zim. The Sax-Zim Bog is also home to uncommon mammals, and supports a diverse wetland flora, including rare orchids. Most of the Black Spruce-Tamarack bog habitat of Sax-Zim is county tax-forfeited land subject to logging just when the stand is prime for desirable breeding birds such as the Great Gray Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, and Connecticut Warbler, therefore much of the critical habitat for these rare birds is disappearing. Audubon Minnesota, along with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), designated Sax-Zim Bog as an Important Bird Area (IBA). This designation, although critical, does not assure protection of this important habitat or the biodiversity of its species and so FOSZB has made land purchase and preservation a top priority. We at FOSZB want this amazing habitat to be around for future generations to experience and enjoy. We also want to educate the public on a biome that is poorly understood and often dismissed as “mosquito-infested swamps.” Friends of Sax-Zim Bog’s mission is to preserve, promote, and protect the Sax-Zim Bog through land preservation, education, research and communication.
100% of all Calendar Sales in the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog link goes to them to preserve, promote and protect
this precious sanctuary for future generations to enjoy and treasure.
The only reward I receive is knowing that I did a small part to promote and support this nonprofit organization so future generations can enjoy this natural treasure.
Where the Magic Begins!
"Solar Storm" May 10th 2024
"Midnight Rainbow" Aurora Borealis 2023
OMG! "Midnight Rainbow" The Colors of the Rainbow 5:03a.m. December 1st 2023 Just north of Green Bay. Normally having the moon out when Lady Aurora decides to dance can get in the way but today it was magical. I loved how the ice formations along the shoreline were highlighted by the moon and were still moving on the water. All this after spending my time up in Door County and was on my way home when the numbers started to show real promise. I tried Bayshore Park but it was barricaded closed and so I kept going south trying to find a location to capture these amazing Northern Lights. I was truly blessed to find this small little outlet to the Bay and thank God I did. It was absolutely magical. Especially when these northern lights were visible without the camera. I stayed until the light from the morning sun under the horizon made Lady Aurora fade away into the daylight...
Comet "Neowise" 2020
"Comet Neowise" seen from the old Matz Stone Farmstead ruins near Cross Plains, Wisconsin across from Indian Lake. It was another amazing moment shared with multiple photographers. I wonder if soon it won't be visible any longer. A little light painting helped to bring out a little of the structure surroundings to add to this capture. July 17th 2020 around 10:30 p.m.
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Total Solar Eclipse
Cerulean Kentucky
August 21st 2017
This capture was pure luck that a plane would fly in front of the total solar eclipse
during the 2 minutes and 40 seconds it was in totality.
So thought I better buy a power ball ticket. What are the odds? LOL I have been truly blessed...
during the 2 minutes and 40 seconds it was in totality.
So thought I better buy a power ball ticket. What are the odds? LOL I have been truly blessed...
Be still my heart!! OMG is all I can say for a photo could never show the magic of the moment.
I was going to Carbondale Illinois but there was a high likely hood there would be clouds in the way.
I studied over and over the weather forecast through the path of totality and
decided at 3:00am Monday morning to end up in Cerulean Kentucky for this amazing event.
It was the right choice with beautiful sunny skies.
There were a lot of areas with thousands of people with their vehicles getting ready to watch the solar eclipse.
I decided to see if I could find a local landowner
who had a sign out that did not have the crowds to watch the eclipse.
I lucked out and found a very nice local and
I got to work setting up the video cameras of the horizons east/west
and used my hatch on my vehicle for shade in between taking photos d/t how hot it was in the low 90s.
What I did not realize was that even the smallest sliver of the sun peaking around the moon is blinding
and the only way to see the Sun's gorgeous moving corona is during the actual total solar eclipse.
It is dancing around the moon's shadow and the solar flares are visible to the human eye in beautiful pink colors.
At first I thought I was seeing it wrong
and asked another person there if they could see the pink flares and they said yes they could too.
WOW, WOW and WOW!! is all I can say.
Yes I took photos but I made sure I experienced it's awesomeness too
by looking at the solar eclipse and the environment around me.
The east and west horizons had beautiful colors to the clouds and horizons but different than a sunset.
It wasn't total darkness you could easily see the honey bees busily collecting pollen from the clover flowers at my feet.
The birds were quiet but an occasional one would take off in flight. The crickets began to chirp and
before I knew it my timer went off and hurried to capture some more photos as the sun came out from hiding.
It is amazing the power of the sun and even the slimmest sliver of the sun is blinding.
Absolutely incredible experience and will definitely be there for the
next total solar eclipse in the United States on April 8th 2024 God willing.
All rights reserved, copyright of Monica Hall Photography/ Monica Hall Living Life Photography.
I was going to Carbondale Illinois but there was a high likely hood there would be clouds in the way.
I studied over and over the weather forecast through the path of totality and
decided at 3:00am Monday morning to end up in Cerulean Kentucky for this amazing event.
It was the right choice with beautiful sunny skies.
There were a lot of areas with thousands of people with their vehicles getting ready to watch the solar eclipse.
I decided to see if I could find a local landowner
who had a sign out that did not have the crowds to watch the eclipse.
I lucked out and found a very nice local and
I got to work setting up the video cameras of the horizons east/west
and used my hatch on my vehicle for shade in between taking photos d/t how hot it was in the low 90s.
What I did not realize was that even the smallest sliver of the sun peaking around the moon is blinding
and the only way to see the Sun's gorgeous moving corona is during the actual total solar eclipse.
It is dancing around the moon's shadow and the solar flares are visible to the human eye in beautiful pink colors.
At first I thought I was seeing it wrong
and asked another person there if they could see the pink flares and they said yes they could too.
WOW, WOW and WOW!! is all I can say.
Yes I took photos but I made sure I experienced it's awesomeness too
by looking at the solar eclipse and the environment around me.
The east and west horizons had beautiful colors to the clouds and horizons but different than a sunset.
It wasn't total darkness you could easily see the honey bees busily collecting pollen from the clover flowers at my feet.
The birds were quiet but an occasional one would take off in flight. The crickets began to chirp and
before I knew it my timer went off and hurried to capture some more photos as the sun came out from hiding.
It is amazing the power of the sun and even the slimmest sliver of the sun is blinding.
Absolutely incredible experience and will definitely be there for the
next total solar eclipse in the United States on April 8th 2024 God willing.
All rights reserved, copyright of Monica Hall Photography/ Monica Hall Living Life Photography.
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Lunar Eclipse April 15th, 2014
"Japanese Lantern Effect End of Umbral Phase" After getting up at midnight and seeing it was snowing outside I went back to bed. Thank goodness I woke up at 2:00 a.m. because there she was! As I wiped the sleep out of my eyes I hurried up to try and capture this incredible moment. Boy, was it cold outside at 12 degrees but there was no wind thank goodness. After an hour and half and hundreds of photos later I relented to go inside to warm up... This capture of the moon is when she begins coming out of the earth's shadow with the Japanese Lantern effect that only lasted a few minutes. |
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Lunar Eclipse "Blood Moon" October 8th 2014 Harvest Moon
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"Super Harvest Moon"
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The above image was captured after a day spent photographing a local marathon for a great cause. I had planned on viewing the Supermoon and Lunar Eclipse with some fellow photographers and friends at Goose Pond in Arlington Wisconsin. However, with the unpredictable cloud cover obscuring the skies locally, forced me to roll the dice and take a chance to drive northward. I anxiously drove northward and monitored the cloud cover overhead on weatherbug to guide me. It took nearly an hour of driving to reach an area where the skies were beginning to clear. Then began the search for a location to set up for the moon rise and lunar eclipse. Luckily, I soon found a small park on the Wisconsin river near Arkdale, Wisconsin. Needless to say, there was less than 10 minutes for me to set up for this highly anticipated super harvest moon rise followed by a complete lunar eclipse. As you can see the moon rise was in itself magnificent. The clouds that remained in the sky along with the high humidity created some atmospheric distortion and added color to the rising moon. It certainly was incredibly beautiful to see and so worth the extra drive to capture. ext came the lunar eclipse. You would think that I could remember how I captured the other two lunar eclipses. But nope, the excitement left me clueless. LOL There I was having to play with the settings on my camera until I finally got it right for the HDR image. However, the high humidity in the September night air made for a much less clear
image of the complete lunar Eclipse when compared to the one I captured in April 2014. Mission accomplished! I was so thrilled and extremely fortunate to capture the trifecta of the three lunar eclipses that were visible here in Wisconsin over the past 18 months. The first lunar eclipse occurring in April 2014 in 12 degree temperatures at 3am in the morning. Next, was in October 2014 in very windy conditions just before sunrise. The third one was not visible here in Wisconsin. The fourth and final lunar eclipse occurred on September 27th 2015 and completed the trifecta of what I could capture here in Wisconsin. What a blessing to have captured these magnificent moments to share.
"The Colors of Fall"
I have been waiting all year for this opportunity to capture this beautiful spot in fall color. The weather and timing could not be more perfect. A day or two and the reds and beautiful orange leaves are gone leaving only the yellows and burnt brown on the trees. Pewits Nest is a very popular and simple location in the Baraboo bluffs and a popular place for photographers to capture scenes like this. Only wish the fall colors would last a little longer to capture more gorgeous locations like this one...
"Stepping Back in Time"
Hyde's Mill
170 years later "Hyde's Mill" Originally built in 1850 by William Hyde stands today with the help from those who care for this local treasure. The original wooden wheel mill burnt down in 1870 and was rebuilt by Ted Sawle Sr. The water is much higher since the last time I was there with this summer's recent rains. It is such a pretty little mill and worth a repeat visit to capture this local treasure...
170 years later "Hyde's Mill" Originally built in 1850 by William Hyde stands today with the help from those who care for this local treasure. The original wooden wheel mill burnt down in 1870 and was rebuilt by Ted Sawle Sr. The water is much higher since the last time I was there with this summer's recent rains. It is such a pretty little mill and worth a repeat visit to capture this local treasure...
Alaska, Trip of a Lifetime
We just got home from an amazingly spectacular trip to Alaska. We did land by bus and train, sea by cruise ship and air by commercial & float plane. Our trip began in Anchorage by train to Denali National Park, bus to Fairbanks, and plane to Dawson in the Yukon, then bus to White Horse and train to Skagway over the original gold rush pass. The trip ended with the Holland American Cruise ship from Skagway to Glacier Bay to Ketchikan then to Vancouver. Whoa what an adventure. It is so hard to believe how fast the time went by. Here are just a few of the thousands of photos I took during our amazing trip...
Alaska SnapShot
Alaska SnapShot
Click on Photos for Larger Viewing
The Macro World Through A Dew Drop
"Dew Drop Strawberry Blossoms" For nearly 20 years I have had a strawberry patch in my yard. I always marveled when the humidity is high with recent rains how the dew drops would cling to the tips of the leafs like little Christmas ornaments glistening in the morning sunlight. So one morning I set out to capture these little gems before they evaporated away in the early morning breeze and sunshine. My goal was to capture the tiny reflections of the strawberry blossoms and the glimmer of the dew drops on the leaves. They are so tiny and doing this with my camera hand held in the light breeze blowing the leaves gently required extra care to hold really still. There I am on my knees and bent at odd angles trying to hold my balance to capture these little marvels was well worth the effort. I haven't done much macro but look forward to exploring more of the macro world. :-) In the larger photo below I love how the one dew drop is on top of the leaf tip and the other is clinging underneath the other leafs tip. It was so much fun capturing these delicate and tiny images with much more to come... Canon 5D Mark III using a 100mm lens.
"Spring Migration" Migrating Common Loons stop for a dance on their travel northward. I was fortunate to capture these beautiful birds during this spring ritual. There is nothing better than seeing wildlife in their natural environment.
2014
Eaglets In The Nest
In March I began monitoring this local nest when I first seen eagles sitting in it. There were three eggs in this nest and each egg is laid 3 days apart. Incubation period is 35 days for each egg which means they sat on their eggs for a total of 41 days with the 6 days from first egg hatch to the third and final egg hatched.
Now in only a few short weeks since I first sighted these three tiny eaglets in their nest they aren't so little anymore. It is really amazing how fast they are growing with their protective and abundant food supplied by their parents...
So after recent storms rolled through southern Wisconsin I decided to chance it and headed out with the break in the weather. I spent a couple of hours observing and photographing these three eaglets in their nest when it began to rain once again. There wasn't any thunder or lightening this time and I decided to wait in the rain to see what would happen at the nest. The rain was steady and I could feel it slowly soaking through my cloths. Like clock work here came mommy in for the rescue. She had been drying off in a tree nearby and was still wet from the previous down pour. She used her wings and body to shelter her youngster's from the rain.
It is not everyday that I get to witness nature in action and my first experience ever to watch eaglets growing up in Wisconsin...
Now in only a few short weeks since I first sighted these three tiny eaglets in their nest they aren't so little anymore. It is really amazing how fast they are growing with their protective and abundant food supplied by their parents...
So after recent storms rolled through southern Wisconsin I decided to chance it and headed out with the break in the weather. I spent a couple of hours observing and photographing these three eaglets in their nest when it began to rain once again. There wasn't any thunder or lightening this time and I decided to wait in the rain to see what would happen at the nest. The rain was steady and I could feel it slowly soaking through my cloths. Like clock work here came mommy in for the rescue. She had been drying off in a tree nearby and was still wet from the previous down pour. She used her wings and body to shelter her youngster's from the rain.
It is not everyday that I get to witness nature in action and my first experience ever to watch eaglets growing up in Wisconsin...
"2015 Eagle Prelude to Spring"
"Twisted Cedar Setting Sun"
I finally had some time to take winter photos after 6 weeks of being cooped up in the house for health and family reasons. This photo was taken from Gibraltar Rock in Lodi Wisconsin that I thought you might like. "Twisted Cedar Setting Sun" It was quite the climb up this big hill through the deep snow to take this beautiful photo at sunset in the 0 degree temperatures. I had been wanting to capture the view of the cedars all twisted from years of wind & weather with the impressive views across the rural landscape covered in snow and bathed in the glow of the setting sun. How refreshing to say the least as I rode my sled down the hill in the dark that I used to carry my camera equipment on. It was so much fun & I felt so alive! What a wonderful beginning to my winter season. I hope you like my efforts...
"Twisted Cedar Sunset" award winning and published photo
In Capture Wisconsin Book II
"Ice Cave Valentine in the Moonlight"
February 14th, 2014. The Ice Caves were so worth the trip. The moon was going to be full on Valentine's day and the weather hopefully was going to cooperate with my plans. As a woman I was very nervous venturing out on the ice for the first time on my own at night. I arrived to the ice at 4:30 a.m. all by myself with no one in sight. Walked nearly 2 miles to this beautiful spot in the dark with the moon fleetingly shining through the clouds & wondered if it would be out when I set up for a Valentine greeting to my hubby at home alone 100's of miles away. The new long bic lighter gave me fits in the cold temps trying to light the candles to create this heart which would have been much bigger had all went well but the moon was setting fast. Then I used a couple of LED flashlights and another LED light source usually used for video to add some light to areas of the ice cave without over exposure. It was a large area to cover. Next with each long exposure photo I tried to carefully paint with light the areas still in the shadows to give this photo life... Mission accomplished.
After successfully completing what I set out to do I took a whole lot of photos of the ice caves as the morning light arrived. Needless to say my back pack weighed nearly 50 pounds & by the time I made it back to my vehicle at 11:15.
I had huge blisters on both feet. Note to self always wear another pair of socks between wool socks. I looked like frosty
the snowman with my hair all frosted up from the sweat. LOL what a sight to be sure.
LOL I hope everyone likes my efforts. :-))
February 14th, 2014. The Ice Caves were so worth the trip. The moon was going to be full on Valentine's day and the weather hopefully was going to cooperate with my plans. As a woman I was very nervous venturing out on the ice for the first time on my own at night. I arrived to the ice at 4:30 a.m. all by myself with no one in sight. Walked nearly 2 miles to this beautiful spot in the dark with the moon fleetingly shining through the clouds & wondered if it would be out when I set up for a Valentine greeting to my hubby at home alone 100's of miles away. The new long bic lighter gave me fits in the cold temps trying to light the candles to create this heart which would have been much bigger had all went well but the moon was setting fast. Then I used a couple of LED flashlights and another LED light source usually used for video to add some light to areas of the ice cave without over exposure. It was a large area to cover. Next with each long exposure photo I tried to carefully paint with light the areas still in the shadows to give this photo life... Mission accomplished.
After successfully completing what I set out to do I took a whole lot of photos of the ice caves as the morning light arrived. Needless to say my back pack weighed nearly 50 pounds & by the time I made it back to my vehicle at 11:15.
I had huge blisters on both feet. Note to self always wear another pair of socks between wool socks. I looked like frosty
the snowman with my hair all frosted up from the sweat. LOL what a sight to be sure.
LOL I hope everyone likes my efforts. :-))
Creating Those Special Memories
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2013 Award Winning Prints
Published in the
Capture Door County
Hard Cover Book!
Published in the
Capture Door County
Hard Cover Book!
Contest Links; http://www.capturedoorcounty.com/awards/published-photo-capture-door-county-book
http://www.capturedoorcounty.com/awards/published-photographer-capture-door-county-book
http://www.capturedoorcounty.com/awards/published-photographer-capture-door-county-book
2013 Capture Wisconsin
Holiday Challenge
"Editor's Choice" Award Winner!
Holiday Challenge
"Editor's Choice" Award Winner!
My Award Winning Print
created in
Sauk City Wisconsin
in December 2013.
Winner of
Capture Wisconsin's
Holiday Challenge
Editor's Choice Award!
Soon to be a Published photo in
Capture Wisconsin II Book 2014
579 photos submitted with 55,253 votes cast...
Contest Link;
http://www.capturewisconsin.com/challenges/the-holidays-2013
created in
Sauk City Wisconsin
in December 2013.
Winner of
Capture Wisconsin's
Holiday Challenge
Editor's Choice Award!
Soon to be a Published photo in
Capture Wisconsin II Book 2014
579 photos submitted with 55,253 votes cast...
Contest Link;
http://www.capturewisconsin.com/challenges/the-holidays-2013
2014 Capture Wisconsin
Winter Challenge
"People's Choice" Award Winner!
"Twisted Cedar Sunset"
award winning photo was
created in February 2014.
It was the view from on top of
Gibraltar's Rock
in Lodi, Wisconsin
on a very cold winter evening.
What a huge honor and accomplishment with
2,468 photos submitted
for the contest and
122,160 votes cast...
The "People's Choice"
award winner will have the honors of being
published in the
2014 Capture Wisconsin II book!
Contest Link; http://www.capturewisconsin.com/photos/1383417
award winner will have the honors of being
published in the
2014 Capture Wisconsin II book!
Contest Link; http://www.capturewisconsin.com/photos/1383417
Putting It All Together!
In my work shop with recent photos of 7" x 10.5" print order that was matted using acid free materials to fit a 11" x 14" frame. This particular order was shipped to Europe. No one cares more about the quality of your prints than I do. Every single print is personally created, printed, matted and prepared for shipment by myself. The personal hands on guarantees that what you see when ordering your prints will be what you receive. Nothing matters to me more than my customers being completely happy and satisfied with the purchase of one of my prints.
Their Smiles Makes All the Time & Effort Worth While!
I am so grateful for this satisfied customer who received a signed limited edition print for Christmas.
"All Decked Out for the Holiday's"
Anyone interested in submitting a personal photo with one of my prints please email it to [email protected] and I would love to share it here on my website for everyone to see.
Thank you so very much for sharing this photo.
"All Decked Out for the Holiday's"
Anyone interested in submitting a personal photo with one of my prints please email it to [email protected] and I would love to share it here on my website for everyone to see.
Thank you so very much for sharing this photo.